The Dorothy Porter Wesley Award was established in 2018 by the Information Professionals of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to honor and document the outstanding work of Information Professionals; Bibliophiles, Librarians, Archivists, Curators and Collectors. Many of our Information Professionals have also played a major role in supporting the work of ASALH, by serving in leadership roles and as members.
The collections these individuals have built serve as a catalyst for research and continuous learning for scholars and the communities they serve and forms the very foundation of collections in our institutions of higher education. The work of Dr. Dorothy Porter Wesley exemplifies what a recipient of this award must do and how they serve. They must have done one or more of the following:
- Worked to preserve resources of African American History and Culture;
- Promoted teaching, research and scholarship of African American Studies, African Diaspora Studies and the community story;
- Collaborated with other educators to endorse research and study of African Americans and the diaspora, and
- Created and developed collections that support the research of the above areas.
For many years these individuals have sought to preserve African American history. They have the desire and fortitude to document the past for future generations and to forge an interconnectedness between their institutions and respective communities.
“Black Bibliophiles” run through our history like an unseen hand.” Their influence is presented in many of the major developments of our historical experiences.” Dorothy Porter Wesley stated; “Had it not been for these men and a few women, hundreds of volumes needed today for research would not be in our major collections.
Nominating an Individual
Guidelines for nominating and/or selecting an Information professional for the Award
To submit an individual for the Dorothy Porter Wesley Award respond in a narrative form to the questions below.
Supplemental information to include in the packet
- Letters of support from colleagues
- Bibliographies
Before Submitting
If possible communicate with the person who is being nominated so they will know they have been nominated.
Locate and gather the information relating to their professional and community work.
Solicit letter of support from colleagues (optional)
Eligibility
Criteria for being nominated and/or selected:
- Nominee has built a significant library, museum or archival collection
- Nominee has served as an administrator and provided leadership of an institution of higher education that supports libraries
- Determine if the collection nominee has supervised is attached to a museum/library/archives
- Nominee has promoted the collection and served the community
- The collection is attached to a college/university
- Identify type of collection is the nominee noted for: Rare books, w/manuscripts, photographs, art work and other noted works
- Nominee has served as a Mentor to others to the profession
- Nominee has taught classes that will address and/or share expertise in the field of information
- Nominee has served as a member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and worked in a leadership role
- Have mentored younger professionals to their particular field and work (similar to 5)
- Nominee assisted in community building
Deadlines
Submit application packet by May 31, 2024 to Kenvi Phillips at [email protected]
After submission
The awards committee, which is made up of members of IP of ASALH, will review the submissions and notify the submitter by July of the submitter year.
The recipients of will be highlighted and presented with the award at the ASALH’s Conference and Annual Meeting.
Date posted: March 31, 2024