James Partridge Outstanding African American Information Professional Award

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The College of Information at the University of Maryland and the Citizens for Maryland Libraries (CML) – a Maryland non-profit organization – jointly present the James Partridge Outstanding African American Information Professional Award each year to an outstanding African American Information Professional in recognition of contributions made to the information profession. James Partridge was a true advocate for the right of all people to read and to learn. During his work at the Division of Libraries and Services, he trained many library staff to improve service to the public. His life-long dedication to libraries was remarkable.  The award recognizes information professionals who, like James Partridge, exemplify the highest ideals of the library/information profession, including career-long dedicated service, leadership, and a commitment to the empowerment of those whom they serve. Established in 1998, the award has recognized nearly two dozen extraordinary pioneers in the field of library and information science. 

Eligibility

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

Nomination Process and How to Apply

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 his/her 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. 

Selection Criteria

The James Partridge Awards 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.

Award Ceremony

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

2025 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

Past Recipients

  • 2019 Tahirah Akbar-Williams
  • 2018 Loretta Parham
  • 2017 Ruby Jaby
  • 2016 Arthuree Wright
  • 2015 Wayne Crocker
  • 2014 Dr. Janet Sims-Wood
  • 2012 Michelle Hamiel, Jhnnique Love
  • 2009 Jacquelyn Nixon Purnell
  • 2008 Glennor Shirley
  • 2007 Sarah Crest
  • 2006 Dr. Thomas C. Battle
  • 2005 Karen Patterson
  • 2003 Karen L. Jefferson
  • 2002 Nettie Seaberry
  • 2001 Satia Marshall Orange
  • 2000 Gregory L. Reese
  • 1999 Simmona Simmons-Hodo
  • 1998 James Partridge

Learn more about the award and perspectives of the recipients in the publication, Celebrating the James Partridge Award: Essays Toward the Development of a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Field of Library and Information Science, edited by Diane L. Barlow, and Paul T. Jaeger, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2016.