The Mississippi Library Association recognizes individuals, businesses and organizations that contribute tremendously to outstanding library service in our communities. The Mississippi Library Association is seeking nominations for the annual Library Champion Award. These awards recognize individuals (not employed by a Mississippi Library, the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Southern Mississippi, or the Mississippi Library Commission), businesses, and community organizations for their substantial involvement with Mississippi’s libraries or who have contributed time, talent or resources that resulted in the enhancement, improvement, or recognition of library service in the State of Mississippi. Library champions work tirelessly in promoting significant advocacy for all types of libraries and/or the library profession throughout the state. The MLA Library Champion award began in 2011 in response to outstanding advocacy in support of maintaining state funding for libraries by Representative Cecil Brown and Representative Billy McCoy, who were the first recipients.
Recipients will be honored at the Mississippi Library Association Annual Conference Awards Luncheon.
Anyone may submit a nomination for Library Champion. Previous recipients are eligible for nomination.
Winners:
- 2025 – Toyota of Mississippi
- 2024 – George and Mary Cassis (posthumously), Hancock County Library System
- 2023 – No award given.
- 2022 – Richard Walley
- 2020 –Shaninun Pittman, Pass Christian Books and Scott Nagle, Cat Island Coffeehouse
- 2019 – Joanne Anderson, Trustee, Jackson-George Regional Library System
- 2018 – Excel by 5 – Hancock County, Hancock County Library System; Rebecca Lewis, Bolivar County Library System
- 2017 – GFWC-MFWC Fine Arts Club of Bruce, Jesse Yancy Memorial Library; Mayor Richard Johnson, Waynesboro-Wayne County Library System
- 2016 – Compass Studios for their work with the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library (CMRLS); Sue Berry for her work with the Jackson-Hinds Library System
- 2015 – Ed Ward, M.R. Davis Public Library Volunteer, First Regional Library System
- 2014 – No award given.
- 2013 – Chevron Products Company, Pascagoula Refinery
- 2012 – Attorney Randy Sherard
- 2011 – Representative Cecil Brown and Representative Billy McCoy