Jack Alton Strawn Standing TALL Award

Know an outstanding librarian who deserves to be recognized? Keep reading to find out how to nominate him/her.

Presented to a Texas librarian by the Library Leadership Round Table, this award recognizes outstanding leadership demonstrated by a librarian who is an active or retired member of the Texas Library Association. The award consists of a small cowboy boot (the symbol of TALL Texans) and engraved name plate which will be presented at the TALL Texans Social at the TLA Annual Conference.

The award is named in honor of Jack Alton Strawn, a beloved librarian and longtime member of TLA. Among his many accomplishments, he was the 1999 chair of the Young Adult Round Table and was responsible for creating and naming the TAYSHAS reading list; was chosen as the 2007 TLA Librarian of the Year; and served as the 2008-2009 chair of the TALL Texans Round Table. He passed away on February 6, 2020. You can read the full resolution renaming the award here.

Nominees are evaluated on the basis of their demonstrated leadership abilities in three areas: the workplace, professional organizations, and the community at-large. Nominees do not have to be graduates of the TALL Texans institute.

Nomination Form Link (Open September 15, 2026 to January 15th, 2027 at 11:59pm Central Time)

If you have any questions, contact Robyn Reid.