The Library History Round Table (LHRT) of the American Library Association (ALA) invites nominations for the 2026 Donald G. Davis Article Award. The Davis Award is given every even-numbered year to recognize the best article written in English in the field of United States and Canadian library history. The award honors Donald G. Davis (1939-2024), longtime professor at the University of Texas School of Information and editor of Libraries & Culture (a predecessor of today's Information & Culture).
After consulting with LHRT officers, the 2026 Davis Committee has determined that "library" history may be interpreted to include papers on archives/manuscript libraries, book history connected to libraries, and libraries in museums and other settings. It may also include biographies of librarians, library workers, and library advocates, and historical developments in librarianship, as well as the history of library institutions. Also, "article" may include book chapters.
Entries are judged on quality of scholarship, clarity of style, and depth of research. LHRT is particularly interested in submissions that place their subjects within broader historical, social, cultural, and political contexts and make interdisciplinary connections with print culture and information studies. Articles must have been published between January 1 and December 31 of the two years preceding the award year (January 1, 2024-December 31, 2025).
Nominations, which must include a brief statement of recommendation and a digital copy of the article, should be e-mailed to Bernadette A. Lear (BAL19@psu.edu), the Davis Committee Chair, no later than January 16, 2026.
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Bernadette Lear
Education, Behavioral Sciences, and Social Sciences Librarian
Penn State University Libraries
She/Her/Hers,Ms.
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