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The BCALA Executive Board approved the establishment of an award in
memory of Dr. John C. Tyson, former BCALA President. According to Award Committee Chair
Stanton F. Biddle, "We think John would be pleased to have his name associated with
an award that recognizes the accomplishments of individuals during their first ten years
as professional librarians." The award, which will consist of a citation and a
check, will be presented in conjunction with the Dr. John C. Tyson Memorial Lecture at
each National Conference of African American Librarians beginning with the Las Vegas
Conference in 1999.
The award will be funded by interest generated by the endowment fund
the Caucus has set up to handle the donations the Caucus has been receiving in John's
memory and in recognition of his contributions to the Caucus and to the profession.
"We had first considered a scholarship, but decided that a self-renewing fund would
be a more appropriate way of guaranteeing that the program would continue permanently.
As the Endowment grows, the award will also increase in value."
Nominations will be solicited from the BCALA membership and the
profession at large. Candidates should be individuals who have made a significant
contribution to the profession during the first ten years after receiving their M.L.S.
degrees. Examples might include technological advances, development of innovative
service programs to the African American community, scholarly research, or the
introduction of curricular changes in library education. The purpose of the award is to
identify and recognize the accomplishments of individuals early in their careers. The
award will also challenge each of us to be more aware of the activities of our
colleagues and to focus attention on their successes.
Stanton F. Biddle
BCALA Award Committee Chair
June 1998
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