Emerging Leader Award

Open to anyone working in a library who shows exceptional promise as a leader in the field. 

Excellence in Academic Libraries Award

Open to an individual who has made a significant contribution to academic librarianship or library development.

Excellence in Special Libraries Award

Open to an individual who has significantly contributed to special librarianship or development.

Excellence in Tribal Libraries Award

Open to an individual who has significantly contributed to tribal libraries.

Extraordinary Program Award

Open to the library, librarian, or library-related group who presented an innovative program.

Follett School Librarian of the Year Award

Open to an individual who serves as a model for implementing the AASL National Standards.

Innovator Award

Open to librarians or project teams who have made an outstanding recent contribution to advance a library's mission.

Library Leadership Award

Open to active or retired library administrator or manager with significant accomplishments and leadership in the past 3 years in Arizona.

Library Volunteer of the Year Award

Open to any individual or group serving in a volunteer capacity in any library.

Newton & Betty Rosenzweig Distinguished Service Award

Open to anyone with significant accomplishments and leadership the past 10 years in Arizona.

Outreach Services Award

Open to anyone or group that provides exemplary library outreach services to unserved, underserved, or minority populations.

Outstanding Adult Services Award

Open to individual who provides exemplary service, programs, collections, and events to the adult community.

Outstanding Volunteer Coordinator Award

Open to an individual who demonstrates excellence and service in promoting, coordinating, and directing library volunteers.

Outstanding Young Adult Services Award

Open to an individual who serves as a model for the important role Teen Services (Ages 12 - 18) plays in public libraries.

Outstanding Youth Services Award

Open to an individual who serves as a model for the important role Youth Services (Ages 0 - 11) plays in public libraries.

Sharon G. Womack Outstanding Library Technician Award

Open to an individual who has served as a model of the important role that the paraprofessional plays in providing quality library service.

Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship

Click here to submit your application

Louise Stephens, a graduate of the University of Arizona School of Information, worked for Glendale Public Library for 30 years, retiring in January 2007. During that time she served as a children’s librarian and library manager. Throughout her career, Louise was active in the Arizona Library Association, serving as its Association President, Public Library Division President, and Awards Chair at various times. In 2001 she was named the association’s Librarian of the Year, and in 2007, she received the Rosenzweig Award for distinguished service. Louise advocated for libraries as a centerpiece of a community as well as the need to network with other librarians as the forces to keep those institutions running. Louise passed away in July 2007, and an endowed scholarship was established in her memory. The Arizona Library Association is charged with administering the scholarship fund, endowed with the University of Arizona Foundation.

Recipient receives a certificate from AzLA and a monetary award ($2,000) from the Louise A. Stephens Scholarship Fund.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Arizona Resident.
2. Student in good standing, enrolled or admitted to the iSchool M.A. program for a minimum of six (6) credit hours in a semester.
3. Current Member of the Arizona Library Association at any level (student, full, etc.)
4. A completed Louise A. Stephens Memorial Scholarship application.

Deadline for nominations is August 11, 2023.