Now here’s a thought–a spin on library awards

This came through my Bloglines today from the feeds off School Library Journal–the naming of the library media program of the year! Read about it here. As I was cruising the links, I was pleasantly surprised to see the elementary schoolmedia specialist has a banner displayed in his library that proclaims he offers a Blue Ribbon School Media Program. In reading more, I discovered that this is an annual award–and not necessarily awarding the media specialist as it is awarding the program. Interesting. It showers the attention on more than one library program a year, which I think is good, as well. Is it something we might consider? Cost might be a banner. But it keeps the attention on the program (which directly is the patrons of the program) rather than the person implementing or directing it. It could be a way to recognize more successful programs in our state organization. Perhaps this one could be nominated by someone other than the school level folks…maybe perhaps by district level folks or media coordinaters for a district? I wouldn’t want it to take away from our prestigious Media Specialist of the Year, but rather be an addendum to the awards program. Maybe we could even streamline it to be a recognition of an elementary, middle, or high school, and specialized school library. Any thoughts??