About the award  |  Current award recipient |  Past award recipients

The CLA Technology Professional Award acknowledges superior achievement by an individual in those areas of the library profession that encompass technology. The award honors those who have made significant contributions in areas of librarianship that have been especially challenged by the need for innovation and adaptation in dealing with rapidly changing technology.

A maximum of one award is given each year and honored at the CLA annual conference.

2024 Award Recipient

Balladolid (Dolly) Lopez, California State University Fresno

Balladolid (Dolly) Lopez is the Electronic Resources Librarian at California State University, Fresno. She obtained her MSLIS from San Jose State University in 2018. Balladolid is proud to be living and working in the Central Valley of California and she is passionate about connecting local residents to libraries. She is currently the chapter president for REFORMA del Valle Central and is serving on ALA's Authentication and Authorization Committee. 

Eligibility

• Applicants or nominees are required to be CLA members.  If unsure, please contact the CLA Office for assistance no later than two weeks prior to the deadline.
• Applicants or nominees must have worked for a portion of the past year in a California library.
• Nominators are not required to be CLA members. However, if a nomination is made by a non-member, the nomination must be endorsed by a CLA member. If you need assistance in finding a CLA member to endorse your nomination, please contact the Executive Director no later than two weeks prior to the deadline.

How to apply or nominate
The California library community is invited to apply or nominate a colleague for this award. Applicants or nominators should use the online application form below to submit a statement (of no more than 500 words) identifying the achievement(s) and briefly describing the impact of the achievement(s) on those areas of the library profession that encompass technology. Criteria for selection are outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas related to libraries and technology:

• leadership in professional associations at the local, state, regional, national, or international level;
• significant contributions to the development, application, or utilization of new or improved methods, techniques, and routines demonstrating creativity and innovation;
• significant contributions to the professional literature;
• significant studies or research.

Further Information

• The CLA Technology Professional Award is coordinated by CLA's Technology Interest Group (TIG).
• TIG may consider only those individuals who have been formally nominated for the award.
• TIG reserves the right not to give an award if a qualified candidate is not found.
• Award recipients will be asked to submit a photograph to be used in award publicity.
• If you have any questions about the award, please contact Julie Oborny.

2024 CLA Technology Professional Award Committee

• Jeffrey Davis, San Diego Public Library (Chair)
  
• Julie Oborny, San Jose Public Library