California Academic & Research Libraries

About

The Gayatri Singh Award for Inclusive Excellence in Library Programs and Exhibits was established to honor the legacy of long time CARL board member Gayatri Singh. It provides award money to recognize CARL members who engage in meaningful library programming and exhibits that demonstrate inclusive excellence.

It is awarded every other year during a CARL conference and consists of a cash award of $1,000. Individuals or groups from academic institutions in California are eligible to receive the award. At least one of the nominees must be a CARL member.

2026 Call for Nominations

Submission Deadline: March 15, 2026

The California Academic & Research Libraries (CARL) Gayatri Singh Award Committee is pleased to invite nominations for the 2026 Gayatri Singh Award for Inclusive Excellence in Library Programs and Exhibits.

This biennial award honors outstanding academic library programs and exhibits that demonstrate meaningful commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence. The award recognizes innovative and impactful work that fosters inclusive excellence within the California academic library community and celebrates the legacy of Gayatri Singh’s contributions to the profession.

Award Details

The Gayatri Singh Award includes a $1,000 cash award, and recipients will be recognized at the CARL Conference on April 2-3, 2026.

Eligibility

• Individuals or groups from academic institutions in California are eligible.
• At least one nominee must be a CARL member.

Selection Criteria

Nominees for the award should demonstrate excellence in programming or exhibits that foster diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence in an academic library setting. Examples of programming could include (but are not limited to):

• Workshops hosted by the library
• “One book” / Common Reads
• Mentorship programs
• Film screenings
• Exhibits
• Author talks
• Inclusive collection development
• Reparative descriptions
• Community archives projects

Evaluation Rubric

Nominations are evaluated on:

Relevance

• Applicable and timely to the field of academic librarianship specifically in the areas of programming and exhibit

Originality

• Programming/exhibit explores questions or issues that have not been explored before or explores them in a new and novel way

Contribution to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence within academic libraries

• Provides evidence of fostering diversity, equity and inclusive excellence with target audience. What were the goals/outcomes, how were they measured, were they achieved?
• Demonstrates that programming is grounded in principles of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence
• Presentation of Programming/Exhibit Material
• Programming or exhibit material is presented in a clear and engaging way.

Nomination Requirements

Nominations must be submitted electronically and must include:

For nominations:

• Letter of nomination, which includes a description of the activity, how it addresses the specific areas of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence, and, if possible, a description (and evidence) of the impact it has had on the intended audience (maximum 1,500 words). 
• Please see above evaluation rubric.

For self-nominations:

• Letter of nomination, which includes a description of the activity, how it addresses the specific areas of diversity, equity and inclusive excellence, and, if possible, a description (and evidence) of the impact it has had on the intended audience (maximum 1,500 words). 
• Please see above evaluation rubric.
• Letter of recommendation (maximum 1,000 words).

Submission Deadline

Applications must be received by March 15, 2026. Late or incomplete packets will not be considered.

Please send nomination materials to:

Sally Najera Romero, Committee Chair
sallyromero@cpp.edu

We encourage you to nominate colleagues or programs/exhibits that exemplify inclusive excellence and whose work deserves recognition across the academic library community.

Committee

Sally Najera Romero, Committee Chair
Cal Poly Pomona

Carrie Cruce
UC Riverside

Gloria Dikeogu
CSU, Bakersfield

Elizabeth Flater
University of Redlands

Rachel Jaffe
UC Santa Cruz

Charge

The Gayatri Singh Award Committee shall consist of three (3) at-large members and a Chair appointed by the President. The Committee shall:

1. Convene every other year;
2. Communicate the award opportunity, including details and deadlines;
3. Select and recommend award recipient to the Board of Directors for its approval;
4. Notify applicants and recipients of Committee selection; and
5. Carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.