Twila Ann Janssen Herr Research Award for Disability Services

The Twila Ann Janssen Herr Award is a biennial award up to $5000 that aims to provide an early career LIS practitioner with the opportunity to research or undertake a project, which may include travel, in the area of library and information services for people with a disability.

The award honours Twila Herr FALIA, retired Tasmanian librarian and library educator and a much respected member of the Australian library and information services community. A life member of the Association, Twila has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence in library and information services, in particular services to those with a disability, the disadvantaged and senior citizens.

Purpose
The award aims to encourage research and/or projects that:

• explore the potential for further development of existing Australian services for people with a disability; and/or
• investigate the use of emerging technologies in the provision of services with a disability; and/or
• increase the knowledge and skills of practising library and information professionals in services for people with a disability.

The successful recipient is required to:

• prepare a comprehensive report which may be publishe in an appropriate ALIA publication or posted to ALIA e-prints. Any publications describing work that has been wholly or partially supported by an ALIA research award will make due acknowledgement of such support
• present the report to the ALIA Research Committee within twelve months of the date of completion of the award. If this deadline cannot be met the recipient will advise the ALIA Research Committee within three months, of the reasons for the delay and the proposed submission date of the report.
• make a presentation on the completed research and outcomes at an appropriate ALIA conference or event and be prepared to assume all costs associated with attendance at such an event.

Eligibility
This self-nominating award is open to personal financial members of ALIA early in their career and practising in the sector.

Nominations are to be made on the form provided and may be lodged either electronically or in hard copy. Nominations will be considered by the research award panel for recommendation to the board of directors.

This award will not be awarded in 2011. More information about the 2011 Awards Review is available at http://www.alia.org.au/awards.

This award will be offered in 2012. For 2011 only, applications will be open in December 2011 following the launch of the revised ALIA Awards programme.