Purpose:
This award recognizes an innovative or creative library instruction project or initiative in Texas. The project may relate to new models, methods, and techniques in areas such as (but not limited to):

• New services and resources developed for library instruction
• Assessment of a library instruction class or program
• Marketing of a library instruction program or service
• Collaboration between library staff and other members of an institution or related organizations
• Cooperative ventures between different institutions
  

Frequency:
Nominations will be accepted and reviewed annually but, depending on the quality of applications, an award may not necessarily be made each year.

Eligibility:
Projects nominated must have been developed and/or implemented in a library or other educational institution in Texas. There are no restrictions as to the size of the instructional effort, academic discipline, target audience, or techniques employed.

Nomination Process:
Self-nominations are encouraged and will receive equal consideration to external nominations. Nominations must include three copies of the following materials:

A. Cover letter with a title of the nominated project; names, email, addresses, and phone numbers for those responsible for the nominated project; name of institution supporting the project; and contact information for the nominator if a different person

B. 750-1,000 word essay explaining the background, purpose, content, effectiveness, and impact of the nominated project or initiative

C. Two or more letters of recommendation

Submissions:

A. Calls for nominations will be posted through the LIRT newsletter and web site; TLA publications and web site; newsletters of other divisions, roundtables, interest groups and districts; listservs; and other means the committee considers appropriate.

B. All nominations should be mailed to the Awards Committee Chair postmarked by check back after Annual Assembly for 2009 date.

C. Materials submitted with the nomination package will not be returned to the nominators.

Selection:
Criteria for selection will be weighted on the application and will include, but not be limited to, factors such as: impact of the nominated project; articulation of project needs or library instruction issues; effectiveness of the model, method or technique; and innovation of the nominated project.

Notification:

A. Representatives of the winning project will be notified at least six weeks prior to the TLA Annual Conference.

B. Honorees will be announced and awarded a plaque at the LIRT program at the TLA Annual Conference.

C. Announcements will also be submitted to TLA publications. Press releases will also be available for the institution hosting the winning project, LIRT newsletter, and LIRT web site.