Siddie Joe Johnson Award

Congratulations to Cheryl Hensley, librarian at Lockhart Elementary in Houston ISD,

recipient of the 2023 Siddie Joe Johnson Award!

Cheryl is a beloved & proud librarian in Houston ISD; moving this year to Lockhart Elementary to start up a library program after serving the scholars over the last 27 years at MacGregor Elementary. Over her long and dedicated 38-year career in education, Cheryl has volunteered on various committees through TLA and is a leader and mentor for librarians in HISD. She received the honor of Librarian of the Year for Houston ISD in 2013 and continues to serve on the committee to uplift and recognize colleagues for the prestigious award. Students, teachers, parents, and colleagues all sing the highest praises for Ms. Hensley, and she is very deserving of the 2023 Siddie Joe Johnson Award!

The Siddie Joe Johnson Award (SJJ) is presented to a public or school librarian to recognize outstanding achievement in children’s library service.

The SJJ Award was named in honor of Siddie Joe Johnson, who served as children’s librarian and coordinator of children’s services for the Dallas Public Library for twenty-seven years. Ms. Johnson, a published poet and author, was the recipient of awards from the Poetry Society of Texas, the Texas Institute of Letters, and the American Library Association for her work in children’s library service.

2024 Siddie Joe Johnson NOMINATION FORM

Nominees are evaluated on the basis of outstanding or innovative programs, a sustained high level of performance, leadership ability, involvement in professional organizations, community involvement, and cooperation with parents and other libraries, especially outside their own system.

To qualify for the SJJ award, a nominee must:

• Be a Texas librarian holding a master’s degree in Library and/or Information Science. School librarians must also hold a School Librarian Certificate to be considered for this award.
• Be a member of the Children’s Round Table.
• Work directly with children from preschool to eighth grade within the last 12 months.
• Have a minimum of 7 years of experience working in Texas libraries.
• Be nominated by a peer or colleague (not accepting self-nominations).

Applications will remain active for two years provided the nominee remains eligible based on the above criteria.

Nominations open in September and close in January each year. Look for announcements on TLA Engage with the link to nominate a colleague!

2024 Siddie Joe Johnson NOMINATION FORM