for
Service to Seniors
The W. Kaye Lamb Award was inaugurated in 2002. It recognizes recipient libraries across Canada that have made outstanding contributions in this important work. The award is made on a bi-annual basis.
William Kaye Lamb portrait about 1948
Credit Canadian Library Association
W. Kaye Lamb Award
This award is given in honour of William Kaye Lamb (1904–1999), the first National Librarian of Canada from 1953 to 1968. Dr. Lamb was also the Dominion Archivist from 1948 to 1969 and an eminent scholar who published books and articles on Canadian history. He was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada in October 1969. A representative from Ex Libris will present a suitably mounted framed certificate and a monetary award of $500.
There are biographies of W. Kaye Lamb at Wikipedia and the Ex Libris biography.
The portrait shows William Kaye Lamb as President of the Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques in 1947–1948.
Purpose Of The Award
This award recognizes a library that has developed an ongoing service, program, or procedure that benefits seniors and/or a design and organization of buildings or facilities that improve access and encourage use by seniors. The award will be presented biennially when merited.
Eligibility
Any Canadian public, postsecondary, or special library is eligible for this award.
Application Timelines for 2025
Completed applications must be submitted by November 6, 2025. Use the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award Application 2025” including your library name or acronym to exlibrisaward@gmail.com (select or right click to copy email address).
Application Procedure
Please provide:
- Name of the library and address.
- Library contact person name, position and contact details (email, telephone, fax, etc.).
- A statement of the service or facility of benefit to the senior population served by the library.
- Descriptive material, such as photographs, promotional or advertising materials used, articles or news items published, may be included with the application to indicate the ongoing success of the project.
- The application might include architectural drawings, details of the equipment used, and an outline of the effect on staffing and budget
- If submitting “notification of the intention to apply,” include as much descriptive information as possible by the deadline with the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award intention to submit 2025.”
- Submit completed applications with the subject line “W. Kaye Lamb Award Application 2025” to exlibrisaward@gmail.com (select or right-click to copy email address).
- Use the above email to request further information about the award or application process, adding “inquiry” to the subject line.
Selection Procedure
A committee of Ex Libris members review the submissions and makes a recommendation for approval. The winner(s) will also be announced in ELAN (the Ex Libris Association Newsletter), listservs, the ELA website, and social media.
Award Notification
A representative from Ex Libris will present a suitably mounted framed certificate and a monetary award of $500.
W. Kaye Lamb Awards
2002 to Present
2025
WK Lamb Award presentation Jan. 2026 to Kingston-Frontenac Public Library
The Kingston Frontenac Public Library received the award for their “Older Adults Hub” operating out of the library's Rideau Heights Branch located in a low-income neighbourhood with limited services. Edmonton Public Library received special mention. Read the full media release in English and French at this link.
See article
2023
Innisfil WK Lamb Award presentation Jan. 2024 Innisfil ideaLAB & Library for their outstanding work for Kits and Community: Activity Kits for Older Adults
Download the announcement letter.
2021
West Vancouver Public Library WK Lamb winner 2021 West Vancouver Public Library.
Download the announcement letter.