With Movers and Shakers now being international, why not nominate those Australian librarians and see that they get this just reward.

Nominations for 2013 are now open, but hurry, you only have until the 7th November 2012.

There are quite a few familiar names spread through the lists of fifty innovators, community builders, tech leaders, marketers, advocates and change agents, who have been recognised for their “extraordinary work to serve their users and to move libraries of all types and library services forward”.

This year, we have our 2nd Australian Mover & Shaker – Ellen Forsyth from the State Library of New South Wales, awarded as Tech Leader for her innovative work with Ref Ex and the 2011 Twitter Reading Group.

All the details of the winners and their innovative work (inspiration for us all) is available at the 2011 Library Journal Movers and Shakers website.

Congratulations to Ellen and all the other worthy winners!

The Library Journal Movers and Shakers Awards recognise excellence in librarians across a wide range of disciplines, not just technology. They are a great way for applauding the wonderful work librarians do to elevate our services and our profession and to improve the services, organisation and standing of libraries in our communities.

The Library Journal Movers and Shakers awards went international a couple of years ago and Australia’s own Paul Hagon joined the auspicious ranks of awardees, by being recognised in 2010.

LJ Movers and Shakers 2011

On to 2011:

“The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying the emerging leaders in the library world. Our tenth annual round of Movers and Shakers will profile 50 or more up-and-coming individuals from around the world who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers and Shakers 2011 will celebrate the new professionals who are moving our libraries ahead.” (Library Journal)

In its tenth year, it would be great to see a second and maybe even third, fourth and fifth, Australian to be acknowledged with a Mover and Shaker award – but the only way this will happen is if we nominate them.  We all know someone who would be worthy of such an accolade, so take the time to share your appreciation of their work by nominating them. Nominations close 1st November 2010.

On the local scene, nominations are also now open for the 2010 VALA Award.

“The VALA Award, made biennially, is presented to the Australian library or information centre judged to have made the most innovative use of information technology during the previous two years.” (VALA)

The ‘use’ would have been implemented between July 2008 and June 2010 and the nomination of a library or information centre can be made by any person. Guidelines and nominations are available from the VALA Award page.

Two opportunities, one to recognise the great individuals in Australian Libraries and the other to recognise the great work of our libraries – support your colleagues and our libraries be ensuring they are nominated for these awards.

For those new to Movers and Shakers, this from the LJ Website:

“The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying the emerging leaders in the library world. Our eighth annual Movers & Shakers supplement will profile 50-plus up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers & Shakers 2009 will celebrate the new professionals who are moving our libraries ahead.”

I went to the LJ website to nominate a US colleague who has been overlooked in previous years and discovered that this time they are Now accepting international nominees!

So lets get some Aussies on the map – you need a 2nd referee to submit a nomination and you have until 10th November to do so.  Winners will be announced in the March 2009 issue of the Library Journal.