Every other year, Massachusetts libraries are invited to submit their best PR materials to apply for the MLA PR Awards. All categories of PR materials are eligible from all types of libraries. We invite academic, public, school, and special libraries to participate. Awards will be presented on odd years at the MLA Annual Conference.

**Online Registration is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and we look forward to the awards ceremony at our annual conference in Cambridge.

This year we are accepting submissions through our online form, with the option to pay electronically. Physical entries and a copy of the entry form will need to be mailed for receipt by February 25th, 2013 to:

SAILS Network
C/O PR Awards
547 West Grove St.
Suite 4
Middleboro, MA 02346

If you would like to fill out a paper entry form to work off of, before submitting the online form, you can download it here (Word Doc).

PR Awards Guidelines

Entry Receipt Deadline: February 25th, 2013

• All entries must have been produced after February 2011.
  
• Entries must be submitted by an active MLA member.
  
• Libraries may submit work in as many categories as desired, but no more than one entry per category.
  
• Include the printed Application Form with each submitted entry.
  
• Each entry must be accompanied by a non-refundable $25 fee. A payment may be submitted to cover multiple entries.
  
• If you are paying by check, make check payable to “Massachusetts Library Association.”
  
• Submit originals if possible, to provide the best presentation.
  
• Submit your entries in an organized, coherent, and attractive manner (e.g., mount loose items, use photo albums, scrapbooks, etc.) Judges will take your presentation into consideration.
  
• Entries will be judged by graphic design, public relations, media, library, and advertising professionals.
  
• Entries and award winners will be displayed and announced at MLA’s annual conference in Cambridge, MA.
  
• Awards will be given only in those categories in which entries meet the standards of our judges.
  
• “PR For Pennies” awards will be given for the most successful inexpensively produced entries.
  
• The PR Committee reserves the right to exclude late or incomplete applications, to categorize applications into the most appropriate judging class, and to use its best judgment when ambiguities arise. The Committee’s decision is final and no refunds of application fees will be made for any reason.
  
• By submitting your entry, you are agreeing to allow MLA to photograph you and/or your entries to use for promotional purposes.
  

Any questions about entries? Contact Committee PR Award Coordinator:
Laurie Lessner, 508-946-8600 x214, llessner@sailsinc.org

MLA cannot take responsibility for entries. We cannot return any entry. All entry materials must be picked up at the annual conference in Cambridge, MA. Entries not picked up by the end of the awards ceremony will be discarded. Be sure to pack materials carefully and label all packages clearly when shipping. Do not send entries through the State-wide delivery system.

Send Entries for receipt by February 25th, 2013 to:
SAILS Network

C/O PR Awards
547 West Grove St.
Suite 4
Middleboro, MA 02346

Explanation of Award Categories

Advertisement – any paid advertisement
Annual Report – for calendar or fiscal years 2011 or 2012
Booklist – may be any format; concept and content are important
Bookmark – creative design, content, and format are important
Brochure – any folded, printed presentation
Coordinated Advocacy Campaign – format may vary but all aspects of entry must focus on a common theme or goal such as a building campaign, fundraising effort, override attempt, etc. Please include the campaign results in your entry. Was it successful?
Event – a compilation of promotional efforts to promote a program or series of related events and the event(s) themselves.
Library Card – entry must include details about the promotional campaign surrounding the introduction of the card.
Logo – creative symbol designed for library, project, or program
Media Presentation – any audiovisual effort, such as videos, slide presentations, PSAs, etc.
Merchandise – items offered for sale or for giveaways by the library or Friends group to promote the library
News Coverage – column, feature, or news as featured in a newspaper, magazine, on radio, or on television. May be library or press generated.
Newsletter – may be Friends or Library generated; print or online. Multiple examples are encouraged
Poster/Flier – single sided, display item
Reading Programs Community – a compilation of promotional efforts and events associated with the community reading program, e.g., one book-one community. Please present in scrapbook or three-ring binder format. Photos of large objects are preferable to actual objects (See also Summer Reading Program)
Reading Program Summer – a compilation of promotional efforts and events associated with the summer reading program. Please present in scrapbook or three-ring binder format. Photos of large objects are preferable to actual objects. Attribute to state or national program if used. (See also Community Reading Program)
Social Networking site/project – list URL and provide color printout of main page and sample subpages
Web site Library – list URL and provide color printout of main page and sample subpages
Web site Teen – list URL and provide color printout of main page and sample subpages
Web site Youth Services – list URL and provide color printout of main page and sample subpages

Judging Criteria

All categories will be judged on the following criteria:

• presentation of entry
  
• originality
  
• cost effectiveness
  

These categories will be judged with additional criteria, as stated below.

Community Reading Program / Summer Reading Program / Library Card

• quality of production
  
• graphic design
  
• adherence to theme or brand
  

News Coverage

• effectiveness of message
  
• Media Presentation
  
• quality of production
  
• effectiveness of message
  
• appropriateness of media
  

Coordinated Advocacy Campaign

• quality of production
  
• effectiveness of message
  
• appropriateness of media
  

Web and Social Networking Sites

• creativity
  
• functionality
  
• usage