As you may have heard through the grapevine, in addition to presenting the longevity certificates and pins at FOCUS this year, we will also be unveiling the Value Awards which acknowledge the effort and results of staff members based on their commitment to our six Core Values. Each award will be bestowed to a staff member whose behaviors, contributions, and overall attitude openly reflected and embodied our Core Values. The four categories are as follows:

• Catalyst Award – awarded to a staff member who has been with the organization two years or less (at the time of the submission) and who has demonstrated a higher-than-average degree of commitment to the Library, its members, and its values, given the person’s limited time with the organization.
• Builder Award – awarded to the staff member who has worked for the Library for more than two, but fewer than ten years (at the time of the submission), and who consistently demonstrates the highest degree of commitment to the Library, its members, and its values, while also building relationships with partners, collaborators, and colleagues that do the same.
• Sustainer Award – awarded to a staff member who has been with the organization for ten or more years (at the time of submission) and who has – during his/her entire tenure -- demonstrated the highest degree of commitment to the Library, its members, and its values, has built relationships with partners, collaborators, and colleagues that do the same, and is viewed as a living example of what working for and on behalf of the Library is all about.
• Spoticus Award – awarded to the staff member whose behaviors, contribution, and overall attitude helped their colleagues to overcome obstacles, retain positive attitudes, and boost staff morale while openly reflecting and embodying several of our Core Values.

While we're not accepting self-nominations, you are welcome to nominate any of your colleagues at https://metrolibrary.wufoo.com/forms/annual-excellence-awards/ [2]. The deadline for nominations is the end of the day Thursday, September 15.

The winners will be nominated by their supervisors, colleagues, and staff, narrowed by Leadership Team to a list of no more than five per award, and then selected by a diverse group of eight staff appointed by me and the Staff Association. The chair of the Annual Values Award Selection Committee will announce the winners after lunch during the September 27th FOCUS meeting. The winners of each award will receive:

• A gift card for $250 (thanks to the Friends of the Metropolitan Library System);
• His/Her name on the perpetual trophy (which will travel to the winner’s locale each year);
• An invitation to the Friends of the Library Annual Meeting to be recognized;
• An invitation to a Metropolitan Library Commission to be recognized;
• A seat on the Annual Values Award Selection Committee; and
• Other recognition throughout the year. 

We look forward to seeing all of the nominees, hearing their stories, and honoring them at FOCUS. Thanks in advance to all who wish to nominate!