The application period for the 2026 State Librarian's Excellence Award is now open<https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/about/state-librarian/slea>. Application Information The Library of Michigan Foundation's State Librarian's Excellence Award will be awarded to a library of any type (public, academic, school, special, tribal, etc.), including branch libraries, that exemplifies excellence in customer service. One (1) library in the state of Michigan will receive this prestigious award each year. The recipient library will receive a $3,000 cash prize and a trophy for display in its public area. Two (2) Library of Michigan Foundation Citations of Excellence will be presented and the recipient libraries will each receive $1,000 and a small trophy for display. Deadline The deadline to apply<https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/346894f2-cf1f-4842-aa68-1e3b7d49f11f> <https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/346894f2-cf1f-4842-aa68-1e3b7d49f11f> is Friday, August 28, 2026. There will be no extensions. Submissions will be accepted online only. Award recipients will be notified in September. Application details and additional information and critera can be found here: https://www.michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan/about/state-librarian/slea The award recipients will be recognized by the State Librarian at the Michigan Library Association Annual Conference awards event on Wednesday, October 28 at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, Michigan. Contact Person Lori Poznanski-Mason, Administrative Assistant to the State Librarian Library of Michigan Email: Poznanskil@Michigan.gov<mailto:> Phone: 517-335-1518 ### Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/miyouth.liblists.org/> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [Michigan Seal of Biliteracy] Acknowledge the incredible strength of students’ multilingual abilities. Seek the Michigan Seal of Biliteracy<https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/flexible-learning/michigan-seal-of-biliteracy> for graduating seniors. [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.
