July 19, 2006

The Library of Michigan Foundation today announced it is now accepting nominations for the 2006 State Librarian's Excellence Award, which recognizes exemplary public service.   This prestigious honor gives $5,000 in privately raised funds and a distinctive trophy to one Michigan library annually.  The award will be presented Oct. 12 at the state librarian's luncheon during the Michigan Library Association annual conference at the Marriott Detroit Renaissance Center.

Hantz Group, Inc. will, for the third year in a row, sponsor the State Librarian's Excellence Award. 

In addition to this award, Citations of Excellence will be presented to two other libraries.  New for this year, these libraries will each receive a $1,000 prize and a small trophy, thanks to the support of Edward Surovell Realtors.

All types of libraries (e.g., public, academic and school) throughout Michigan are eligible to receive the State Librarian's Excellence Award and the Citation of Excellence.  The nomination deadline is Aug. 31, and nominations may come from library directors, trustees, administrators or members of the public.

Criteria for the award include:  demonstrating that the library provides new, innovative and superior services to its customers in a cost-effective manner, with a can-do attitude and by always delivering on promises; demonstrating the library's commitment to high standards of customer service through staff dealings with customers and synergy within the staff through a coordinated approach to supporting customers; and demonstrating that the library is a team player through its collaborations in the community.

The full nomination packet – including nomination form, criteria and submission guidelines – is available on the Web at www.michigan.gov/lmfoundation or by calling the Library of Michigan Foundation office at (517) 373-1297.  Entries should be sent to:

Library of Michigan Foundation

P.O. Box 30159

702 W. Kalamazoo St.

Lansing, MI 48909

This year's selections will be determined by a committee including the state librarian and one representative each from the Michigan Academics Library Council, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Association for Media in Education, the Michigan Library Association Trustee Roundtable, the Special Library Association and the public library community. 

Hantz Group, Inc., based in Southfield, Mich., is a full-service financial holding company founded in January 1998.  For more information, visit www.hantzgroup.com.

Edward Surovell Realtors, founded in 1982, is a real estate company with 10 offices throughout southeast Michigan.  For more information, visit www.surovell.com.

The Library of Michigan Foundation, established in 1985, raises funds to support special programs, services and collections of the Library of Michigan.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/lmfoundation.

The Library of Michigan – Michigan's official state library agency for more than 175 years – is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.  Dedicated to strengthening the economy and enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Michigan Historical Center, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.