The 2023 deadline has passed.

See our FAQ's for additional information.

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Established in 2014, the Innovation Award for Library Staff targets innovation throughout the Cornell Library system in all functional areas and departments. Innovations can be in the form of service enhancements, problem solving, or simply by looking at things in a new way. In addition to a certificate suitable for framing, the award includes a cash prize of $500.

To be eligible, the employee must be a regular full-time or part-time member of the library staff. Both individuals and groups are eligible.

The selection of the winner(s) is based on exceptional innovation in technology, services, workflows, or processes that resulted in enhanced services or internal optimization. While the innovation can include IT development, having an IT component is not a requirement for consideration. Although the innovation need not be all-encompassing, special consideration is given to innovations that benefit the whole library system and beyond. Qualities to consider when writing the nomination include: impact of the innovation and the nominee’s leadership in conceiving and implementing it.

View former recipients and nominees of the Library Innovation Award.