IPSWICH, Mass. — June 27, 2025 — The 2025 John Cotton Dana (JCD) Award recipients have been selected, honoring libraries for their exceptional achievements in strategic communications. Administered by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Core Division in partnership with EBSCO Information Services, the awards provide up to eight $10,000 grants funded by the H.W. Wilson Foundation. These grants recognize outstanding public relations efforts that elevate the visibility and impact of library services.
The 2025 JCD Award winners are:
Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, IL
Violins of Hope Chicago: Elgin Collaborative
From 2022 to 2024, the Gail Borden Public Library District hosted The Violins of Hope, a powerful exhibition of instruments. Through performances, programs, and partnerships, the initiative promoted messages of hope, unity, and cultural acceptance. The project left a lasting impact on the community by fostering awareness and empathy through the arts.
Hamilton East Public Library, Noblesville, IN
Show Your Library Card and Save: Library Card Sign-Up Month 2024
In 2024, the library launched a revitalized Library Card Sign-Up Month campaign to align with strategic goals around engagement and growing cardholder numbers. By leveraging community partnerships, demographic insights, and patron feedback, the campaign aimed to raise awareness of the library’s full range of services, especially nontraditional offerings, and connect with new and expanding audiences.
Hartford Public Library, Hartford, CT
Time to Celebrate: Hartford Public Library’s 250 Years of History
In 2024, Hartford Public Library celebrated its 250th anniversary with a year-long campaign honoring its legacy and reintroducing its evolving role in the community. Highlights included a new brand launch, a city-wide scavenger hunt, a parade, a custom-brewed beer fundraiser, and the reopening of the Downtown Library after major renovations. Through creative programming, community engagement, and award-winning marketing, HPL showcased its enduring impact and vision for the future.
Spring Lake District Library, Spring Lake, MI
SLDL Refresh Project
Launched in response to evolving community needs, the Library Refresh Project reimagined library spaces to prioritize private study areas and vibrant gathering spots. Through a strategic, in-house marketing campaign spanning 18 months, the library built excitement, transparency, and trust. The campaign’s success reflected the library’s deep connection with its community and its commitment to staying relevant and inclusive.
Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, Stow, OH
All E All Free Campaign
Recognizing a lack of public awareness around its digital offerings, the library’s Outreach Team launched the “All E, All Free” campaign to highlight that all eMedia resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming services, are completely free with a library card. Sparked by a relatable moment and driven by strategic outreach, the campaign aimed to shift perceptions and make digital access feel simple, inclusive, and empowering for the entire community.
The Community Library, Ketchum, ID
A Little Book of Big Stories
The Community Library launched A Little Book of Big Stories: An Idaho Library Book to showcase heartfelt testimonials from patrons across Idaho, celebrating the deep trust and value communities place in their libraries. The campaign aimed to highlight the importance of open access to literature, and Idahoans’ capacity for empathy, dialogue and mutual understanding. Through storytelling, the initiative reinforced the enduring role of libraries in civic life.
Westmount Public Library, Westmount, Quebec, Canada
125 Years, Let’s Celebrate!
To celebrate the Westmount Public Library’s 125th and the City of Westmount’s 150th anniversary in 2024, the library launched a year-long campaign inspired by pioneering Chief Librarian Mary Saxe. With support from the city council and a dedicated anniversary committee, the initiative highlighted the library’s historic legacy, deepened community engagement, and ensured inclusive access to events and services. The campaign honored the library’s impact while building momentum for its future.
Worcester Public Library, Worcester, MA
March Meowness: A Community-Driven Library Communication/Engagement Campaign
In March 2024, Worcester Public Library launched “March Meowness,” a playful, community-driven campaign to eliminate barriers to library access by waiving fees in exchange for cat photos. The initiative aimed to reduce stigma and re-engage patrons, especially those from marginalized communities, whose accounts were blocked due to lost or damaged item fees. By turning fee forgiveness into a fun and inclusive experience, the library reinforced its commitment to accessibility and community connection.
2025 JCD winners will be awarded at ALA Annual 2025. For more information and details on the ceremony, visit the JCD website.
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2025 Selection Committee
This year’s judging panel included: Martha Anderson, Director of Organizational Development and Head of Digital Services Department, University of Arkansas; Jenny Brandon, Librarian/Web Designer, Michigan State University Libraries; Terri Carroll, Director of Communications, Design, and Analytics, Toledo Lucas County Public Library; Sara Neal, Marketing and Communications Manager, Salt Lake County Library, and Judging Chair Kelly Sitzman, Director of Communications and Employee Development, Pioneer Library System.
About the John Cotton Dana Award
The John Cotton Dana Award was inaugurated by The H.W. Wilson Company at the 1946 annual conference of the American Library Association. It was named after John Cotton Dana (1856-1929), a librarian called the father of the modern library. The Awards are funded by the H.W. Wilson Foundation.
About the H.W. Wilson Foundation
The Foundation was established by Halsey W. Wilson in 1952 to support the needs of company employees and retirees. Since 1957, The H.W. Wilson Foundation has focused on providing financial assistance to causes having the greatest impact on improving the spirit, mind and body of the greatest number of people through aid, support and cooperation with charitable, benevolent, educational and religious institutions. Major donors to the Foundation included Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Wilson, and the H.W. Wilson Company.
About Core: Leadership, Infrastructure Futures
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy, and learning. Core is a Division of the American Library Association. Follow us on our Blog, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
About EBSCO Information Services
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is a leading provider of online research content and cutting-edge search technologies serving libraries, healthcare and medical institutions, corporations, and government agencies worldwide. As an AI-enabled services leader, EBSCO offers comprehensive solutions from research, acquisition management, subscription services and discovery services to clinical decision support and patient care, learning, and research and development, EBSCO provides institutions with access to content and resources to serve the information and workflow needs of their users and organizations. Our commitment to AI-driven innovation positions EBSCO at the forefront of the industry, enabling us to meet the evolving needs of the information services landscape. For more information, visit the EBSCO website at: www.ebsco.com. Visit our blog at EBSCOpost or follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
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For more information, please contact:
Jessica Holmes
Communications Director
jmholmes@ebsco.com
978-414-0420