2025 Michigan Library Awards

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!

On Wednesday, October 29 during the MLA 2025 Annual Conference at the Lansing Center in Lansing, we will have an evening of celebration, including dinner and an awards show featuring entertainment and special guests. Save the date and plan to don your best business dressy attire (ball gowns and tuxedos are NOT required), strut the red carpet for a photo op, and join us for dinner and a show as we celebrate the accomplishments, dedication and service of outstanding libraries, library staff, trustees and supporters.

Do you know someone who deserves recognition and celebration for their work in Michigan libraries? The Call for Nominations for the 2025 Michigan Library Awards is open through Friday, July 11! We encourage and welcome your nomination for any of MLA's Awards. We've made it simple, self-nominations are strongly encouraged, and you can choose to have your nomination considered for the 2026 awards as well. 

Check out the complete criteria by downloading the guidelines linked below and submit your nomination on Slideroom*.

SUBMIT A Nomination

• Support Staff of the Year Award 
• Rising Star Award 
• Heart of a Champion Award 
• Public Librarian of the Year Award 
• Lifetime Achievement Award 
• Frances H. Pletz Award for Excellence in Service to Youth
• Intellectual Freedom Award

MLA will now be using the Slideroom platform for proposal submission as well as some nominations and applications. This change aims to make it easier to review and organize proposals and applications, shorten the time it takes for applicants to receive a reply, and streamline our internal processes.

MLA’s Slideroom homepage will list all open programs; just select the application you wish to complete and set up a Slideroom account. You will be able to log in to this account to see updates and submit future applications and proposals. The application form will be very similar to past MLA applications, and full details can be previewed before beginning your application.

Please note that Slideroom will only accept one submission per email address. If you would like to submit multiple proposals, please use a second email address or have a co-presenter complete the form.

View past award winners here.