James Partridge Outstanding African American Information Professional Award

Partridge first began in the library field in 1969 as a specialist at Maryland State Division of Library Development and Services (now the Maryland State Library Agency). In 1989, Partridge accepted the position of collection development librarian at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (now the Maryland State Library for the Blind & Print Disabled), in which he served until his passing on May 19, 1998.

As a leader in the field of library outreach services and a true advocate for the right of all people to read and to learn, Partridge pioneered library services to detention centers, started literacy programs for people of all ages, and worked to provide library access for the blind and physically handicapped.

In February 1998, he received the first African-American Information Professional of the Year Award for Outstanding Service. Prior to this, Partridge’s exceptional lifelong dedication to advancing how libraries can serve the public went largely without recognition. Partridge died soon after receiving the honor, and the award was named in his memory.

To be eligible, a nominee must:

1. Be a graduate of an ALA-accredited Library and Information Science (LIS) program
2. Be employed at a library, archive, government agency, research center, LIS professional organization, or another type of information center at the time of the nomination
3. Have demonstrated sustained, high-quality service in support of the LIS field’s mission of providing access to information for all

Please consider nominating a colleague, collaborator, mentor, or yourself. Nomination letters should include the following information:

1. Nominee’s name, place of employment, and length of service to the library and information professions
2. Documented evidence of the nominee’s contributions to their place of employment and the library and information profession. Please include as much detail as possible.

Letters should be emailed to Sarah Grun, College of Information Award Committee Chair, at infoawards@umd.edu with “Partridge Award Nomination” as the subject line. Please be certain to gain consent from the nominee.  Nominations will be accepted until Friday, January 24, 2025, at 11:59 pm. 

The James Partridge Award Committee, appointed by the College of Information Studies and CML, will select the winner of the award based on the following criteria that reflects the life and ideals of James Partridge:

1. The award recipient will exemplify the highest ideals of the library and information professions.
2. The award recipient will have demonstrated true advocacy for the right of all people to access and understand information.
3. Preference is granted to those deserving of accolades but who have not have been widely recognized for contributions to the library and information professions.

2025 James Partridge Award Committee Members

• Michelle Hamiel, Chief of Programs- Urban Libraries Council; former Chief Operating Officer, Prince George’s County Memorial Library System; 2012 Award Recipient
• Paul Jaeger, Professor and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher, College of Information; Director, Museum Scholarship and Material Culture (MSMC) program; Associate Director, Maryland Initiative for Digital Accessibility (MIDA)
• Ryan O’Grady, Lecturer College of Information; Co-Director, MLIS Program; Citizens for Maryland Libraries Board Member
• Arthuree Wright, Maryland’s Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Board Member; retired Associate Director of Information, Instruction, and Resource Services at Howard University; former MIT Science Librarian; 2016 Award Recipient

The James Partridge Award will be presented on April 11, 2025 during the UMD College of Information’s annual Honors and Awards Celebration.