Michigan Library Awards 2023

The Michigan Library Awards is the can't-miss event for recognizing Michigan's amazing library professionals and libraries. It’s the Michigan library community's own version of the Academy Awards, the Emmys, the Grammys, and the Tonys!

We are pleased to share the recipients of the 2023 Michigan Library Awards! The 2023 honorees were unveiled on Wednesday, October 18 during the Michigan Library Awards event in Kalamazoo at an evening of celebration. Each recipient was chosen through peer review for their outstanding achievements.

Heart of a Champion

James Bolton
Superior District Library - Pickford Community Library

Library Support Staff of the Year

Victoria Edwards
West Bloomfield Township Public Library

Rising Star

Georgina Broyles
MacDonald Public Library

Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth

Nisa Kesseler
Petoskey District Library

Public Librarian of the Year

Megan Buck
Dickinson County Library

Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul McCann
Dexter District Library

State Librarian's Citation of Excellence

Sunfield District Library

State Librarian's Citation of Excellence

J. Robert Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library, Michigan Technological University

State Librarian’s Excellence Award

Fremont Area District Library

Intellectual Freedom Award

Caro Area District Library

Legislator Lifetime Achievement

United States Senator Debbie Stabenow

The Michigan Library Association (MLA) is Michigan's oldest and largest library association. For 130 years, MLA has led the advancement of all Michigan libraries through advocacy, education and engagement. MLA's membership is comprised of individual and organizational members from public, academic, school, tribal and special libraries. For more information visit milibraries.org.

The Michigan Association for Media in Education (MAME) is the statewide association for Michigan school librarians and those interested in K-12 media center topics. MAME has been providing professional development and advocating at the state and national level to provide a voice and stronger presence for K-12 library professionals. For more information visit mimame.org.

The Michigan Academic Library Association (MiALA) is the professional association of academic library staff and libraries in Michigan. MiALA’s work entails providing professional development, serving as a catalyst for collaboration, and promoting the value and contribution of academic libraires. For more information visit miala.org.

The Library of Michigan was created by the Michigan Legislature to guarantee the people of this State and their government one perpetual institution to collect, preserve and provide access to the story of the State, and to support libraries in their role as essential community anchors. For more information visit: michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/

The Library of Michigan Foundation was established in 1985 to support and enrich the capabilities, resources and services of the Library of Michigan. The Library of Michigan provides opportunities for charitable giving to support Library of Michigan programs, collections and services not provided through state or federal funding. For more information visit: libraryofmichiganfoundation.org/

View past award winners here.