The James Partridge Award for Outstanding African American Information Professional is presented annually by the College of Information Studies and Citizens for Maryland Libraries.

Mr. James Partridge was the first recipient of this distinguished Award in 1998 and died shortly thereafter. The Award was later named in his honor and memory. James Partridge had a long career as a professional, and he epitomized qualities of excellence in service to Maryland’s Division of Library Development and Services and the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

The Partridge Award is the College’s way of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of committed African Americans in the Information Professions.

Procedure for Submission:
Nominees for the Award must:

• have earned a professional degree from an ALA accredited program of library/information science
• be currently employed full time as a library professional
• have demonstrated sustained, high quality contributions to and dedicated service in support of the mission of libraries to provide access to information to any citizen who wishes to read and to learn

The Partridge Award recipient will receive a stipend of $250.00 from the Citizens for Maryland Libraries, and travel to College Park to receive the award will be funded by the College of Information Studies.
To complete the nomination process, please submit a letter detailing the applicant’s worthiness and include at least three supporting letters. The nominating letter of support should include the following information:

• Nominee’s name and place of employment
• Number of years of service as a librarian
• Documented evidence of the nominee’s contributions to his/her library and to the library profession

Any librarian may nominate a colleague, but should obtain the consent of the nominee before submitting a name for consideration. Deadline and the committee members will be announced later.