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Recognizing Excellence in Michigan Libraries

For decades, the Michigan Library Association (MLA) has upheld a proud tradition of recognizing outstanding achievement and leadership within Michigan’s library community. Through awards such as Librarian of the Year and the Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth, MLA has celebrated individuals whose dedication and service have strengthened libraries and advanced the profession across the state. These awards reflected MLA’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the professionals who strengthen Michigan’s libraries and the communities they serve.

In 2020, this legacy of recognition evolved with the establishment of the Michigan Library Awards—a collaborative initiative uniting MLA, the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Academic Library Association (MiALA), and the Michigan Association for School Librarians (MASL).

This collaboration brought together decades of individual award traditions into a single celebration, acknowledging excellence across all library types and professional roles.

Presented annually at a gala during MLA’s Annual Conference, the Michigan Library Awards honor excellence across all library types, acknowledging the exceptional public, academic, and school library professionals who contribute to the enrichment of Michigan’s communities and the continued advancement of library service statewide.