Branding Iron Awards

Whether they have substantial marketing funds and staff, or a shoe-string budget and marketing is among ‘other duties as assigned,’ librarians are creating amazing work to promote their services, programs, and events. TLA’s Branding Iron Awards honor this inspiring and creative work with awards presented in several categories, and one overall Best of Show winner.

The application deadline for the 2025 Branding Iron Award has passed.

Entry Requirements

• All entries must be submitted via the online form, we are not accepting email entries.
• Entries must be received by 5:30 p.m., January 31.
• Marketing activity must have occurred in the past two years to be eligible.
• Libraries may submit three entries; and may only enter one per category (no multiple entries in a single category)
• If submitting an entry in more than one category, you must submit a separate form for each.

Criteria

• Entries will be evaluated using this rubric.
• Entries are not judged on the content of the event, program, or display, but on the marketing used to promote the event, program, display etc.

Categories

Each category will honor a winner from an academic, school, public and special library (if entries are received from all library types).

Fundraising Marketing, Annual Report, Strategic Plan

Marketing campaigns and promotions for long-term fundraising campaigns (can be for a specific purpose or for the organization in general), donor outreach materials, Annual Reports (brochures or other materials used to communicate the previous years’ statistical data of interest for library stakeholders), and Strategic Plans (marketing used to share information with stakeholders about future plans for the library).

Special Events and Exhibits Marketing

Promotion and advertising (print and digital) to bring attention to limited time displays or events at your library. Special events include literacy nights, galas, special one time programs, featured speakers, community events, special exhibits that are for a limited amount of time, or one-time fundraising events.

Print Marketing

Marketing materials that are in print format, including newsletters, calendars, orientation materials,  brochures, book lists, bibliographies, signs, postcards, flyers, swag, or any other marketing done for the library specifically in print. Please do not include materials associated with reading programs, special events, or special exhibits. 

Digital Marketing

Marketing campaigns and promotions executed primarily through digital mediums including social media, email, websites, and other web-based platforms. Please do not include materials associated with reading programs, special events, or special exhibits.

Reading Programs

Marketing and promotion of any reading program through digital and/or print media. The category is not limited to summer reading programs.

For more information, contact Wendy Woodland, TLA director of advocacy and communications.

All entries and supporting materials will remain with TLA. The association reserves the right to publish any and all entries on the TLA website and in other online or print publications. Submitting organizations must have copyright ownership of all items submitted for consideration. Submitter acknowledges that they have full copyright authority to assign use rights to TLA.