CLA Awards
The Catholic Library Association honors excellence in scholarship, literature and librarianship through the bestowal of nationally recognized Association and Section awards. These awards as well as service and chapter awards are presented at the annual convention.
Association Awards
Regina Medal
Established in 1959 by the Catholic Library Association and administered by the Children's Library Services Section. Presented annually for continued, distinguished contribution to the field of children's literature.
Vera B. Williams named the 50th Regina Medal recipient
Highly respected and celebrated author and illustrator Vera B. Williams is the 50th recipient of the Regina Medal for her lifetime contributions to children’s literature.
Her books have been published by Greenwillow Publishing since her first children’s book in 1975 with It’s a Gingerbread House. She has won two Caldecott Honors for A Chair for My Mother (1983) and “More More More,” Said the Baby: Three Love Stories (1990). Many of her books have been translated into Spanish.
When she was 9 years old, her painting “Yentas” was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The young artist was highlighted in the then popular Movietone film reels explaining her painting to another pioneering American woman, then first-lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Ms. Williams graduated from Black Mountain College in North Carolina with a degree in graphic arts. She has always been a strong supporter of non-violence, children, women, and the environment.
Ms. Williams received the Regina Medal at a luncheon in her honor in Indianapolis, IN on March 26, 2008. New 2008 Regina Medal bookmarks honoring all 50 Regina Medal winners are now available for purchase.
John Brubaker Memorial Award
Established in 1987 to recognize an outstanding work of literary merit published in Catholic Library World, the official journal of the Association.
Carmine J. Bell was named the recipient of the 2008 John Brubaker Memorial Award for her article "Libraries and Human Rights Education" which appeared in the December 2006 issue of Catholic Library World (vol. 77, no. 2).
Section Awards
Aggiornamento Award
Presented annually since 1980 by the Parish and Community Library Services Section to honor an individual or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to the goals of the Section and to the growth and renewal of parish and community librarianship in the spirit of Blessed John XXIII.
The Parish and Community Library Services Section selected Monsignor Joseph M. Champlin as the recipient of the 2008 Aggiornamento Award. The Award recognizes his long-time contribution to parish and community libraries through the publishing of practical books and pamphlets for use in planning celebrations of sacraments and parish liturgies. The Award was presented posthumously during the Opening Awards Dinner at the CLA Convention on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
Jerome Award
Presented annually since 1992 by the Academic Library Services Section in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to excellence in scholarship which embody the ideals of the Catholic Library Association.
Professor David Tracy was presented with the 2008 Jerome Award during the CLA Convention Opening Awards Dinner, Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
St. Katharine Drexel Award (formerly Certificate of Merit 1966-2001)
Presented by the High School and Young Adult Library Services Section in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship.
Walter Dean Myers was honored as the recipient of the 2008 St. Katharine Drexel Award which was presented during the CLA Convention Opening Awards Dinner on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
Other Awards
Mary A. Grant Volunteer Service Award
Established in 1996 and presented by the CLA Executive Board in recognition of outstanding volunteer service to the Association by a CLA member.
Margaret (Peggy) A. Donahoe received the 2008 Mary A. Grant Volunteer Service Award at the Opening Awards Dinner on Tuesday, March 25, 2008.
Philip F. Neau Memorial Award
Presented biennially by the Children's Library Services Section to a past or current CLSS member for outstanding contributions to the Section. This award was created in 2007 in memory of Philip F. Neau, past treasurer of the CLSS.
Julanne M. Good received the first Philip F. Neau Memorial Award at the Annual Business Meeting of Catholic Library Association on Thursday, March 27, 2008.
Newsletter Award
Established in 1982 to recognize overall excellence and superior content in chapter and section newsletters. Deadline for submission of three consecutive newsletter issues for consideration by the CLA Publications Committee is February 1st. An entry fee of $10 required. Winner is announced at the CLA annual convention.
