Congratulations to our 2023 NHSLMA Award Winners

School Librarian of the Year Award

Karen Abraham, Laconia High School

Outstanding Library Program Award

Moultonborough Academy, Carrie Fair Librarian

Outstanding Library Program Award Finalists

Merrimack High School

Sunapee Central Elementary School

Timberlane Regional District Elementary Program

Elsie Domingo Service Award

Jennifer Toth, Atkinson Academy

Emerging Leader Award

Mary Beth Wiley, Wilton-Lyndeborough Cooperative Middle High School

Paraprofessional Award

Anne Maher, Rindge Memorial School

Virtual School Library Award

Winnisquam Regional High School, Maria Pearson, Librarian

Impact Award

Nancy Rose, Discovery Education

Partnership Award

Representative David Paige, Conway

Intellectual Freedom Award

Julie Cote, McKelvie Intermediate School, Bedford

Outstanding Special Recognition Award

Caitlin Bennett, Londonderry School District

Helen Burnham Outstanding School Library Student Award

Melissa-Sue Bartolomei, Plymouth State University

About Our Awards 

NHSLMA Outstanding Library Program Award

The Outstanding Library Program Award is given for an exemplary library media program and services.  Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members. Library Media Specialists/Librarians may nominate their own program.   Guidelines:

  • The nominated program may be a school library or district-wide library program.  A NHSLMA member who is certified in New Hampshire as a Library Media Specialist should be the director of the program.
  • The library program must play a strong role in teaching and learning, promote a positive learning environment, and be led by a well-qualified staff with strong administrative support.
  • Applicants will be evaluated using a rubric that describes the ideal of an excellent school library program. A nominated library program is not required to meet every standard, but must explain why and how they are working toward the standard or compensating for it.
  • The winner will be recognized at the NHSLMA conference and the EDies Awards banquet. 
To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form:  2024 NHSLMA Outstanding Library Program Award

Need a PDF to plan out the nomination form?

Click to download a pdf sample version of the nomination form:   PDF Sample NHSLMA Outstanding School Library Program Nomination.pdf

NHSLMA Paraprofessional Award

The Paraprofessional Award is given to recognize the contribution of library support staff who are involved in library operations at all levels.  Their duties may include routine to very specialized expertise in the field.  Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members, but not from the nominee her/himself. Guidelines:

  • The nomination will be judged on the role the library media professional has played in developing and supporting a library program and services within the school.
  • The winner will be recognized at the NHSLMA conference. 
To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form: 2024 NHSLMA Paraprofessional Award

Need a PDF to plan out the nomination form?

Click to download the sample pdf version of the nomination form: Sample NHSLMA Paraprofessional Award Nomination.pdf

Emerging Leader Award

The Emerging Leader Award is given to a school librarian who has been working in the profession for five years or less and has already made significant contributions to the school library community. Nominations are accepted from superintendents, principals, teachers, library media staff or community members. Self-nominations are also accepted.

  • The applicant is a NHSLMA member.
  • The nomination will be judged on the accomplishments and ideas the school librarian has demonstrated in developing and supporting the library program and services within the school and the school library community.
  • Applicants will be evaluated using a rubric that describes an exemplary new school librarian.
  • The winner will be recognized at the NHSLMA conference.

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form 2024 NHSLMA Emerging Leader Award

Need a PDF to plan out the nomination form?

Click to download the sample pdf version of the nomination form:  Sample Emerging Leader Nomination.pdf

Virtual School Library Award

The Virtual School Library Award is given to a school librarian for an engaging and creative virtual school library program presence. An exemplar virtual school library will promote inquiry, inclusiveness, collaboration, curation, exploration, and engagement. Both peer nominations and self-nominations are accepted.

  • The applicant is a NHSLMA member.
  • Award recipient will be selected through an online vote of a list of finalists during the spring conference.
  • The winner will be recognized at the NHSLMA conference.

To submit a nomination please complete this nomination form:  2024 NHSLMA Virtual School Library Award

Elsie Domingo Service Award

The Domingo Service Award is presented to a NHSLMA member who has served the profession and the organization in an exemplary and unselfish manner.
  • Member of the school library community in New Hampshire
  • Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession through service to NHSLMA members.
  • The winner is selected by the NHSLMA Board.

Impact Award

The Impact Award is given to a non-NHSLMA member who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of school librarianship in the State of New Hampshire.  The recipient fosters the use and importance of the school library media center and advocates for school librarianship as an essential component for all schools.

  • Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession or on the library/media services provided to our school communities.
  • The winner is selected by the NHSLMA Board.

NHSLMA School Librarian of the Year 

The school librarian of the year is recognized for ongoing excellence in school librarianship. Award recipients will be those who are leaders in the school library community, at local, regional, and/or state levels. 

  • Award recipients will have made a significant statewide impact on the library/media profession or on the library/media services provided to our school communities.
  • The winners will attend the EDies Awards banquet.  
  • Nominees must be a past winner of a NHSLMA award.  Please refer to past winners here.
  • The winner is selected by the NHSLMA Board.



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