Awards Program Recognizes Outstanding Federal Libraries, Federal Librarians=
,=20
and Federal Library Technicians=20

(All completed nomination applications must be postmarked no later than =
November 15, 1998.)

        To honor the many innovative ways federal libraries, librarians, =
and library technicians are fulfilling the information demands of =
government, business, research, scholarly communities, and the American =
public, the Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC) is =
inaugurating a series of national awards for federal librarianship.=20

        The three awards are:=20

          Federal Library/Information Center of the Year =AF This award =
commends the library or information center=A2s outstanding, innovative, =
and sustained achievements during Fiscal Year 1998 in fulfilling its =
organization's mission, fostering innovation in its services, and meeting =
the needs of its users.  All federal libraries and information centers are =
eligible.

          Federal Librarian of the Year =AF This award honors professional =
achievements during fiscal year 1998 in the advancement of library and =
information sciences, the promotion and development of services in support =
of the agency's mission, and demonstrated professionalism as described in =
Competencies for Special Librarians in the 21st Century (developed by the =
Special Libraries Association. See SLA's Web site:  www.sla.org/professiona=
l/comp.html.)  The nominee must be a federal employee and a practicing =
librarian in a federal library or information center. =20

        Federal Library Technician of the Year =AF This award recognizes =
the achievements of a federal library technician during fiscal year 1998 =
for service excellence in support of the library or information center=A2s =
mission, exceptional technical competency, and flexibility in adapting =
work methods and dealing with change.  The nominee must be a federal =
employee and a practicing paraprofessional or library technician in a =
federal library or information center.

        The award winners will receive a certificate and a plaque honoring =
their contributions to the field of federal library information service =
which will be presented at the annual FLICC Forum on Federal Information =
Policies in Washington, D.C., in March 1999.  To further recognize these =
outstanding individuals and programs, a plaque engraved with their names =
and the names of future winners will be on display in the FLICC Offices at =
the Library of Congress.

        For more information or to request a nomination packet, visit the =
FLICC Web site's Award Page (http://lcweb.loc.gov/flicc/wg/wg-award.html) =
or contact FLICC by phone (202-707-4800), fax (202-707-4818), or email =
([log in to unmask]).  Send nominations to FLICC, c/o Library of Congress, =
Washington, DC 20540-4930.  The nomination packet includes the nomination =
form, selection criteria, and list of required supporting materials.  All =
completed nomination applications must be postmarked no later than =
November 15, 1998.