Purpose
The Joyce Sumbi Emerging Leaders Award is granted to a librarian who, through his or her practice and example, provides inspiration and leadership in promoting exemplary library services to individuals of all ages and ethnicities. This award recognizes a librarian in California for worthwhile professional contributions to promote access and promotional opportunities for all. It seeks to encourage librarians to pursue mid- or high-level administrative positions in order to successfully effect change benefitting library users, potential librarians, and colleagues. Conferences, workshops, or other continuing education activities may be used to assist with this mission.
Award Description
Joyce Sumbi was a mentor and an inspiration to librarians throughout the state. This award is named in her honor because she was an exceptional leader, organizer, innovator, visionary, storyteller, writer-researcher and tireless community advocate for excellence in library services. She was hired in 1960 by the County of Los Angeles Public Library and served in various positions for 32 years. Mrs. Sumbi was the first African American librarian to serve as Regional Administrator of ten cities and seventeen branch libraries in the Los Angeles County area.
Submission of Applications
Candidates will complete the nomination form which includes contact information and a formal statement describing the nominee’s achievements. Winners are selected based on the merit and significance of their contribution(s) and their demonstrated capacity for increasing their leadership role in the profession. Nominations due dates will be announced. Completed applications are to be sent to scholarship@clbc.org with the subject line, Sumbi Award.