Honorary Life Membership

2020	Debbi Kramer	Laurel
2019	Rita Kroon	Bozeman
2019	Kathy Mora	Great Falls
2017	Marilyn Trosper	Polson
2013	Dale Alger	Roundup
2012	Darlene Staffeldt	Helena
2011	Peggy Smith	Billings
2010	Jane Howell	Billings
2008	Andrine Haas	Glendive
2007	Deanna King	Columbus
2005	Karen Strege	Helena
2003	Dennis Richards	Missoula
2002	Mary Bushing	Bozeman
2001	Debbie Schlesinger	Helena
2000	Shirlee B. Smith	Havre
1997	Susan Nissen Lerdal	Butte
1996	Delores Drennen	Miles City
1995	Al Randall	Libby
1988	E. Al Blockey	Bozeman
1988	Edna Berg	Bozeman
1988	Glenda Bell	Billings
1987	Katherine Schaefer	Missoula
1986	Alene Cooper	Helena
1985	Muriel Cooksey	Miles City
1983	Mary Schmiedskamp	Billings
1983	Virginia Schulte	Glendive
1982	Alma Jacobs	Helena
1982	Douglas Mills	Missoula
1980	Beatrice Eigher	Great Falls
1980	Helen Anderson	Fort Benton
1978	Adeline Midgett	Missoula
1978	Kay Griffith	Missoula
1978	Lucille Anderson	Hamilton
1978	Mabel Brewer	Kalispell
1978	Marie MacDonald	Glendive
1977	Doris Mart	Jordan
1975	Virginia Weisel Johnson	Missoula
1970	Elizabeth Pittman	Lewistown
1970	Mable Engelter	Whitefish
1970	Perl Coombs	Glendive
1969	Lesley Muriel Heathcote	Missoula

Pat Williams Intellectual Freedom Award (Name change in 1996)

2020	Library Director, Connie Behe	ImagineIF Library
2019	MSU Bozeman Renne Library
2018	Library Director, Mark Wetherington	Bitterroot Public Library Board of Trustees
2017	Library Director Wendy Campbell	Darby Community Public Library Board and Staff
2016	Daniel Zolnikov, HD 47	Billings
2015	Livingston School District #1 Librarians and Board of Trustees	Livingston
2014	Billings School District Board of Trustees and High School Librarians	Billings
2013	Karen Gonzales	Missoula
2012	Amy Collins	Geraldine
2011	Niki Whearty	Helena
2009	Judy Hart and the Lewis and Clark Library Board of Directors	Helena
2008	Diane Thompson	Boulder
2007	Johanna Freivalds	Billings
2006	Jim Eliott (Senate District 7 – Democrat)	Trout Creek
2006	Jim Shockley (Senate District 45 – Republican)	Victor
2006	Governor Brian Schweitzer	Helena
2005	Helena School District No. 1	Helena
2004	Helena Education Foundation	Helena
2003	Suzanne Goodman	Livingston
2001	Bozeman High School	Bozeman
2001	Great Falls High School	Great Falls
1997	John Frohnmayer	Bozeman
1996	Jim Heckel	Great Falls
1995	Representative Deb Kottel	Great Falls
1995	Representative John Bollinger	Billings
1995	Senator Mike Halligan	Missoula
1994	Debbie Denzer	Kalispell
1993	Lewis and Clark Library Board of Trustees, (Wendy Wheeler, Chair, Mary Sheehy Moe, Bernard Grainey, Sue O’Connell, Bob Cooper)	Helena
1991	Representative Pat Williams	Washington, D.C.
1984	Janis Bruwelheide	Bozeman

Interest Group Excellence Award

2005	OFFLINE
2004	Paraprofessional Interest Group
1993	Marianne Farr – Interlibrary Loan Interest Group

Sheila Cates Award for Librarian of the Year

2021	Janelle Zauha	Montana State University
2020	Cindy Christin	Bozeman Public Library
2019	Carly Delsigne	North Jefferson County Library District
2018	Gale Bacon	Belgrade Community Library
2017	Paulette K Parpart	Missoula Public Library
2016	Dale Alger	Roundup Community School Library
2015	Judy Hart	Lewis & Clark Library
2014	Cheryl Heser	Rosebud Co. Library
2013	Honore Bray	Missoula Public Library
2012	Renee Goss	Sidney-Richland Co. Library
2011	Marilyn Trosper	North Valley Co. Public Library District
2010	Alice Meister	Bozeman Public Library
2009	Vaun Stevens	Missoula Public Library
2008	Sue Jackson	Montana State Library
2007	Norma Glock	Columbus School Library
2006	Gloria Curdy	Missoula Co. Public Schools
2005	Carole Monlux	Paxson Elementary Library — Missoula
2004	Gene Marie Robson	Billings Public Library
2003	Al Randall	Libby
2002	Bette Ammon	Missoula Public Library
2001	Mary Bushing	MSU — Bozeman
2000	Karen Driessen	University of Montana
1999	Darlene Staffeldt	Montana State Library
1998	Bill Cochran	Billings Public Library
1997	Vicki Terbovich	Montana State Library
1996	Brandy Howey	Hinsdale Public Schools
1995	Bruce Newell	Lewis & Clark Library
1994	Bonnie Williamson	Havre-Hill Co. Public Library
1993	Sheila Cates	Montana State Library
1992	Greta Chapman	Lincoln Co. Libraries
1969	Lesley Heathcote (presented by the National Library Week Committee for Montana)	Missoula
1968	Alma Jacobs (presented by the National Library Week Committee for Montana)	Great Falls Public Library

Library of the Year Award

2020	Dillon Public Library
2018	Montana State University Library, Bozeman
2017	Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library
2015	ImagineIf Libraries
2014	Billings Public Library
2012	Sidney-Richland County Library
2011	Belgrade Community Library
2006	Partner Libraries: Missoula Public Library, Flathead County Library System, Hearst Free Library, Bitterroot Public Library, Drummond School/Community Library, and Polson City Library.
2005	Darby Community Public Library
2003	Montana State University – Bozeman
2002	Thompson Falls Public Library
2001	Montana State Law Library
1999	RiCoNet Consortium, Richland County
1998	Havre-Hill County Library, Havre	(Bonnie Williamson, Director)
1997	Lucy Carson Library at Western Montana College of the University of Montana, Dillon	(Michael Schulz, Director)
1996	Broadwater School and Community Library, Townsend	(Cindy Hangas, Director)
1994	Parmly Billings Library	(Bill Cochran, Director)
1993	Missoula Public Library	(David Pauli, Director)
1992	Lewistown Public Library	(Florence Kettering, Director)

Library Program of the Year

2021	Bilingual Storytime with ASL-CAN	Rae McFadden - Great Falls Public Library
2020	Making Montana	ImagineIf Libraries
2019	Memory Cafe Program	Amanda Allpress - Missoula Public Library

Media Award

2012	Sara Groves, Montana State Library
2008	Montana’s Book Babes Calendar, Lisa Mecklenberg-Jackson and models
2007	Jim Dullenty	Lewistown
2006	State and national promotional campaign, “What’s Your Story? Find It At the Library.”: Montana State Library’s Marketing Coordinator, Sara Groves; the Q Group; The Montana Library Association; Mountain West Bank; AARP; The Institute of Museum and Library Services, a Library Services and Technology Act Grant; and the National Library of Medicine
2004	Missoula Reads
2003	Marcia Dunn	Missoula
2002	Cherie Heser
2002	Nancy Brennan
1995	Missoula Public Library
1995	Parmly Billings Library

School Administrator of the Year Award

2017	Jeff Bermes	Columbus
2016	Steve Pomroy, Lewis and Clark Middle School	Billings
2013	Frenchtown Administration Team – Randy Cline, Cindy Worrall, Mark McMurray	Frenchtown
2011	Bob Whalen	Billings
2010	Eileen Johnson	Lockwood
2006	Dr. Peggy Anderson	Frenchtown
2005	Dennis Parman	Havre
2004	Bob Gutzman	Bozeman
2002	Michael Bowman
2001	Rhonda M. Boyd	Billings Schoold District #2
1997	Ken Stuker	Helena High School
1996	Bill Olson	Libby Public Schools
1995	Dave Sharstrom	Lewistown
1994	Robert Klein and Bruce Thomas	Clancy
1993	David Parker	Bonner
1992	John Morris	Whitefish
1991	Joseph Stauduhar	Missoula
1990	William Cooper	Kalispell
1989	Gary Rogers	Billings
1988	Don Wetzel	Corvallis
1986	Bill Vogt	Kalispell
1985	William Donahue	Superior
1984	Pete Carparelli	Helena
1983	Tim Sullivan	Butte
1982	Jean Miller Hagan	Red Lodge
1981	John Johnson	Glendive
1980	Geneva Van Horne	Missoula
1979	John Dracon	Billings
1978	Bernard Hartman	Helena
1977	Peggy Gadbow	Missoula
1976	Richard Rate	Fort Benton
1975	Kenneth Swenson	Bozeman
1974	Michael F. O’Leary	Anaconda
1973	Peter C. Bakken	Glendive
1972	A. G. Erickson	Helena
1971	Hiney P. Lund	Bozeman
1969	Noel Rigby	Billings
1968	William J. Hoppes	Inverness
1967	Leonard A. Wollan	Laurel
1966	C. Robert Engebretson	Libby

Lisa Mecklenberg Jackson Special Friend to Libraries Award (name change, July 2024)

2020	Debbie Sporich	Dillon Public Library
2017	Bruce L. Ennis and Margaret S. Davis	ImagineIf Libraries
2015	Sarah Polich	Rosebud County Library
2014	Billings Public Library Foundation	Billings
2013	Jim & Patty McDonald	Missoula
2012	Ellen Rae Thiel	Boulder
2010	Dorothy (Dot) Gallager	Stillwater County Library
2010	Doug Kramer	Three Forks Community Library
2008	Humanities Montana – Mark Sherouse, Executive Director	Helena
2008	Ted Almgren	Darby Community Library
2007	Julie Enman	Drummond
2006	Beverly Helrich	Stevensville
2005	Kathleen Ralph	Stillwater County Library
2004	Chrysti Smith	Bozeman
2003	Marsha Dunn	Missoula
2002	Laura Newman	Butte
2001	Mary Hadspeth	Libby
2000	Billie Haag	Glendive Public Library
2000	Abe Abramson	Missoula Public Library
2000	Forsyth Woman’s Club	Forsyth
1997	Jon Willette	Billings
1997	Barbara VaDePete	Havre
1996	Bob Cooper	Helena
1996	Ed Mahlum & Greg Maroney	Kalispell
1996	U.S. Representative Pat Williams
1995	Wendy’s of Montana (Sam E. McDonald, Jr. Family)	Billings
1995	Linda Halstead-Acharya	Columbus
1994	Montana Power Company	Butte
1994	Senator Henry McClernan	Butte
1993	Fred Dion	Glendive
1993	Alberta Bair	White Sulphur Springs
1991	Royal Johnson	Billings
1988	Connie Voth	Ronan
1988	Peggy Munoz	Hamilton
1985	Lawrence McCarthy	Plains

Jane Lopp Trustee of Year (Name change, June 2017)

2021	Al Logan	ImagineIF Libraries
2019	Jane Hamman	North Jefferson Co Library District
2018	Rita Henkel	Missoula Public Library
2016	Kerstin Clark	Twin Bridges Public Library
2015	Janet Doornbos	Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library
2014	Sandi Conrady	Helena
2013	Flathead Co. Library Board of Trustees – Connie Leistiko, Jane Lopp, Michael Morton, Al Logan, Elana Weaver	Kalispell
2011	Albert Martens	Rosebud
2010	Chrysti Smith	Belgrade
2008	Lloyd Mickelson	Billings
2007	Tom Heyes	West Yellowstone
2006	Jerry (J.B.) Bancroft	Bozeman
2005	Janel Tindall	Belgrade
2004	Brenda Davis	Bozeman
2001	Ron Farmer	Bozeman
1999	Jo Alice Juedeman	Geraldine
1998	Eleanor Gray	Miles City
1997	Stephen C. Owens	Deer Lodge
1997	William T. Paull	Deer Lodge
1993	Ann Boettcher	Big Sandy
1992	Jim Nybo	Helena
1991	George James	Libby
1990	Janet Stevenson	Hardin
1989	Eugenia Williams	Laurel
1988	Lawrence Johnson	Hamilton
1987	Betty Fleschig	Havre
1985	Lawrence Maxwell	Butte
1984	Jean Koppang	Great Falls
1983	Esther Leibrand Ames	Scobey
1982	Virginia Manix	Augusta
1981	Sylvia Johnson	Lewistown
1980	Henry McClernan	Butte
1979	John Parker	Bozeman
1978	Mrs. Claude Jones	Miles City
1977	John Tangmoe	Glendive
1976	John Stephens	Chinook
1975	Glenda Bell	Bridger
1973	Jean R. Robinson	Missoula
1973	Marjorie W. King	Winnett
1970	Dorothy Floerchinger	Conrad
1969	William Henry Bertsche	Great Falls
1968	Mrs. H. D. Harlowe	Miles City
1967	Don Gibson	Glendive
1966	Mrs. C. G. Johnson	Plains
1965	Mrs. R. D. Warden	Great Falls

MLA Champion Award

2019	Representative Bradley Hamlett	Cascade
2018	Ann Ewbank	Bozeman
2018	Sara Groves	Helena
2017	Representative Frank Garner	Kalispell
2014	Representative Joe Tropila	Great Falls
2013	Senator Brad Hamlett	Cascade
2013	Representative Bob Mehlhoff	Great Falls
2013	Representative Christy Clark	Augusta
1999	Shiell Anderson	Livingston
1997	Linda McCulloch	Missoula
1997	Ray Peck	Havre

Outstanding Support Staff

2021	Mary Guthmiller	Montana State University
2020	Caroline Campbell	Missoula Public Library
2019	Robert Mueller	Missoula Public Library
2018	Marlys Stark	Montana State Library
2017	Tony Edmundson	Columbia Falls
2016	Aaron LaFromboise	Browning
2015	Carol Jestrab	MSU-Billings Library
2014	Annie Alger	Missoula Public Library
2013	Patricia McKenzie	University of Montana, Missoula
2012	Linda Steffas	Whitehall
2011	Amy Ling	North Valley

Other Awards

2020	Diane Van Gorden - Baker Public Schools	School Library Program of the Year
2016	Glacier High School, Lisa Lykins and Kerrie More	School Library Information & Technology Program of the Year
2014	Kacee Krob	Gallatin Gateway School
2013	Niki Evans & Karen Anderson	Frenchtown Elem/Interm School Library
2012	Lynn McKinney	School Library Media Award
2007	Brian Close	Intellectual Freedom Award of Appreciation
2005	Dale Alger – Montana Heritage Project	Distinguished Librarian of the Year
1999	Lois Fitzpatrick – Helena	Special Recognition
1999	John Thomas – Helena	Special Recognition
1999	Dee Ann Redman – Billings	Special Recognition
1994	Mary Lyn Reitz – Great Falls	School Librarian of the Year
1987	Inez Herrig – Libby	Distinguished Service Award
1986	Peggy Gadbow – Missoula	Certificate of Appreciation
1980	Millie Sullivan
1980	Alve Thomas
1978	Rita Nelson	Exemplary Service
1977	Doris Wilson
1972	Delores Colburg
1968	Harriet Evelyn Miller – Helena	Distinguished Library Service Award