The Primary Source Awards are presented annually in three categories: access, research, and teaching.

Presented to library staff, faculty members, or administrators whose use of primary source materials demonstrably results in cost savings for their institution or an expanded appreciation and usage on campus of primary source materials. Sample project outcomes:

• Simplified access through enhanced visibility for primary source materials on the library’s OPAC
• Mediated lending techniques that facilitate user access to primary source materials
• Development of new finding aids for primary source materials

Example: Preserving Khmer Rouge Archives

Presented to recognize a library staff or faculty member or graduate student whose use of primary source materials in their research or in collaboration with academic departments, educators, curators, bibliographers, authors, curriculum specialists, etc., has demonstrably resulted in the development of scholarly and pedagogical products, research initiatives, and methodologies that:

• Expand or simplify methods of discovery for primary source materials
• Open new or expand existing avenues of scholarly research
• Develop new knowledge through use of primary source materials

Example: The Modern Girl Around the World

Presented to an educator, educational group, bibliographer, or curriculum specialist who develops innovative ways to use primary source materials in the classroom or in a student advisory role, such as:

• Use of primary source materials as a classroom resource
• Use of primary source materials to define the scope of a research project
• Use of primary source materials to identify and promote diverse viewpoints

Example: European Imperialism and Colonial Response