Libraries Change Communities Award

The Texas Library Association Libraries Change Communities Award is presented to a collaborative community effort that recognizes positive achievements and promotes outstanding library-based initiatives in Texas. The award recognizes good practice in any innovative library-related effort that involves communities, demonstrates imagination and innovation, and has the potential to be developed and adapted elsewhere.

Community can be defined in the broad or narrow sense depending on the collaborated effort (e.g. school or school districts, state or county agencies). The initiative should affect people’s lives for the better, contribute to equality of access, and impact the end users.

The Alief Independent School District won the 2021 Texas Library Association’s Libraries Change Communities Award for their years-long, comprehensive project “Innovating Inside the Box: Transforming the Literacy Culture of Alief by Ensuring Equitable Access.”

During the 2018-2019 school year, over 25,000 books were given to students for their home libraries. During the pandemic, librarians launched curbside delivery of books, hotspots, laptops and tablets; delivered items to apartment complexes and stocked official and unofficial Little Free Libraries throughout the community so patrons would have access to physical books in a safe manner. Charla Hollingsworth accepted the award.

Any TLA member may nominate a deserving library for consideration. Nominations open September 15 and close January 15. All nominations must be submitted through the online form.

Once the nomination is submitted, you will receive a password that allows you to add to, or edit your nomination materials. You will also receive a separate password to provide to people submitting any letters of reference.

Contact Christy Reynolds at TLA if you have any questions or need assistance.