Rationale
The Reference Services Forum Award is made annually in accordance with the RSF's mission statement:

"The ILA Services Forum exists for all who are interested in providing assistance to library users as they seek and use information. The Forum offers opportunities to share and enhance skills as well as to promote and recognize quality service throughout Illinois."

Eligibility
Nominees can be an individual, group, department, or library. The nominee should be a personal ILA member or be employed by an institution that is an ILA member. Nominees do not have to be a member of RSF. Nominees must demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Specialized or innovative programs or services;
• Service to the library profession through active participation in professional organizations (at the local, state, or national level);
• The nominee has influenced and/or cooperated with persons or organizations within his/her community in the planning or presenting of programs or services for; and
• The nominee has reached and affected persons outside his/her own community by deed, idea, and/or example.

Selection Process
A Reference Services Forum subcommittee selects the recipient. Only one nomination is necessary for the award to be made; however, the Services Forum subcommittee is responsible for determining whether or not the nominee meets the criteria of the award. The awards subcommittee must work with the nominations received in accordance with the established timetable; in the event that no deserving nominations are received, the awards subcommittee members may not then nominate a recipient.

Criteria
A written statement of no more than 200 words should be submitted. Letters of support and examples of quality work or innovative programs that reflect the intent of the Services Forum's award criteria, up to ten in number, should be included.

Award Winners
The recipient will be presented with a certificate and a $250 check.

Sponsor Contact
Barbara Eschner
ProQuest Information and Learning
789 E. Eisenhower Pkwy.
Ann Arbor, MI 48106-4091
phone: (734) 761-4700
phone: 800-521-0600
fax: 800-308-1586
e-mail: Barbara.Eschner@il.proquest.com

ProQuest presents check and pays for certificate; ILA orders certificate.