Last year I asked F. Fialkoff to open up the nomination to librarians outside the US & Canada, to reflect our global library world... We'll see if LJ does it: an "international" section might be nice. - nicomo

The Country drop-down has a long list of nations in it. :) - David Rothman (☤)

Yeah, that's excellent. I remember that being a topic of discussion last year. - Greg Schwartz

LOL@Cohen :) - David Rothman (☤)

Curious: Who is the awesomest librarian you know, Dorothea? - David Rothman (☤)

when I move, parts of me shake. Where do I apply?> - DJF from twhirl

David F - that's how i got it! i always shake when i move ; ) - jambina

I also shake, but I think it's lack of fitness and not something to be honored for. - Greg Schwartz

I'll never be a M&S. Everything cool I want to do gets killed by a committee, the EC, or Board. Vision people, vision.... - W!cKeD

this is the first year i haven't felt, "gee, i wish i were M&S material." maybe it's because i am getting recognition at work and validation from you all. - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

Remember last years they lost the nominations and had to reopen them again. :( I'll bet they don't let that happen again. Dorthea, vote for Tim D again this year. Don't give up! - Libraryman

Rochelle happy to hear that. I feel that way every year when I see the call for nominations. - Mary Carmen

amy: All I can say is, "no comment" - DJF from twhirl

Also, I've had a couple of conversations with folks that think it doesn't really mean much (exactly for reasons like what W!cKeD mentions). But these conversations were with ppl who had been selected as a M&S. I mean, wouldn't we all like to be on that list? Or any list that lots of ppl see and says "we appreciate your work and want to tell ppl about it". It's not perfect but I still do like the idea. I know folks don't all agree though. What do you guys think? - Libraryman

Michael, I think it is only human to want to get a pat on the back for work well done every now and again. - Mary Carmen

Playing the cynic as usual, I'll remind everyone that M&S is a marketing gimmick to sell magazines. They pick 50 people who have interesting stories and hooks to nifty headlines. They are all awesome people, I have no doubt, as I know and admire many of them. But there are way more people worthy of recognition than 50 per year could accommodate, especially if you look internationally. - Greg Schwartz

as long as i can crash M&S events and drink on john berry's tab, i'm down w/it. - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

Well, I can say that personally, I think it's great. Someone I nominated was chosen last year, and she absolutely deserved it. I might be cynical about awards, but we recognize far too little effort in our profession as it is. I would absolutely love to be on that list. - Jason Griffey from twhirl

Mary and Michael - right. If I were a M&S it wouldn't mean anything to my colleagues here, b/c they're by and large medlib ppl who don't follow LJ - but *I* wouldn't mind it. :) - Rachel Walden

also...i am not doing anything m&s-worthy. not pushing envelopes. not bleeding over anyone's edges. just listening to patrons and staff and helping move us forward at a comfortable rate. - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

do you get extra flair for your ALA badge if you're a M&S? if so, sign me up. - Marie

Rochelle, that is exactly how I feel. I don't do anything M&S worthy, but I am damn good at my job....even if it doesn't involve the bleeding edge and is more about helping and listening to patrons. - Mary Carmen

My UL would be thrilled if one of her staff was named to M&S. *type*type*delete* - DJF from twhirl

I think the M&S DOESN'T mean much. I don't know what I did that was, as Rochelle says, "M&S-worthy." Someone like Mary Carmen is sure as hell making a bigger impact on her profession than am. That said, I'm in favor of anything that can offer recognition to a small handful of the thousands of libraryfolk who deserve recognition. Also, it made my mom and dad smile a lot. - David Rothman (☤)

BTW, I already submitted my nominations for this year. :) - David Rothman (☤)

We could make the LSW "Kickers and Snarkers", or "Hookers and Blowers" (whichever - name still TBD), award open for folks who kick ass in their everyday jobs. I guess then we'd ALL qualify. ;D - W!cKeD

"Lovers and Fighters" :) - Rachel Walden

"Machers and Shtarkers"? (Yiddish, Big shots and Strong people) - David Rothman (☤)

i've also heard that it can make a high performer seem even more like an outsider w/in a workplace that doesn't value innovation or achievement. (way too many of those in libraryland) - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

not a problem if you're an OPL, Rochelle. :) - David Rothman (☤)

It's a weird award in that it doesn't mean anything in particular, and, as Greg says, it's a pretty transparent attempt to generate buzz. On the other hand, it does capture my imagination more than I'd like to admit, and I have two excellent candidates I intend to nominate this year. It's the award I love to hate. - Steele Lawman

So is there a way to try to get nominated without coming across like an egocentric jerk? *ahem* - Libraryman

assumed that you were already one. ;-D i think pez collectors are way underrepresented in the M&S classes. - Chelle Chelle Ro Ro

@libraryman There's video footage of you moving and shaking! And I'm a first hand witness too. :) - ɥsıuɐʎɹ

@libraryman I had to look it up last year to find you aren't on that list. And there's no one on the list from Kentucky *ahem*. Hello, Greg Schwartz? In Kentucky! :) and yes, I agree it sells LJs, but that doesn't mean would not want the recognition. - Cindi Trainor

I want "Hookers and Blowers" flair for my name badge. - Royce's favorite Anna

Couldn't stand it. blogged it and twittered the post. I plug a few folks and yes, myself. Why do so many of us feel bad about saying we rock? I say that but am still worried I sound bad mentioning that I haven't been selected. Here's the tweet: - Libraryman

2009 Library Journal "Mover & Shaker" nomination form is up. Opinions and nomination suggestions blogged here: http://tinyurl.com/42ycwe - Libraryman

I think the fact that there are some significant oversights, namely people we all assume are on the list but aren't, like Michael and Sarah Houghton-Jan is the main reason why the list loses value in my eyes. But then, I just commented this on Michael's blog :D - Katie

I think this award should go to people who are beginning their careers. Someone in their first, 2nd or third year maybe--students. - Max Macias

what everyone said: concern about overachieving in org where one is already seen as overachiever / oustider / loudmouth. AND UL w/b very impressed (contradictory, I know). and: I nominated someone last year, twice, and I think the nom. form got, well, nom nom nom'd both times. :-( and: I want to be nominated! </whine> -- but ... what did I do to be nominated? nothing in particular expect be really good with patrons most of the time, and a good teacher. Off to read @libraryman's blog post. - $tephanie•Cog$ciLibrarian

Not dazzled by M&S fame. I think it's great to highlight those on cutting edge, but what about the folks busting their asses simply to provide excellent service? Id be more impressed if local places of work simply appreciated their people. (MPOW does, am talking in general) - ωαřмaiden ❤Marrit Woman❤

I've always thought that the "Mover's & Shakers" label sounded a little obscene. That, or part of a revival of the Shakers movement. - Katy S

hey, i once made a near life-sized replica of a double bass for school. my dad insisted on tracing my foot on a piece of plywood, cutting it out and then attaching it to the foot. i think i got an "a" on that project. i know it sat in one of our school libraries on display for a few weeks. - Katie

Max, with 50 a year, I think we can get new folks and catch up with "old" folks too. Perhaps a "new" sort of category would be useful tho ? Oh, and btw, I can't build wooden furniture but I do know how to make cast resin furniture (you know the mod 60's stuff). C'mon, man, that is some mover and shaker stuff right there! lol! Also.. I didn't realize SH-J aka LiB hadn't been a M&S! She should get it now!! - Libraryman

Re: David Rothman. The Country drop-down has a long list of nations in it, all right, but the text still talks about "up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada". - nicomo

David Rothman, I mentioned to someone Thursday that you were M&S and they were impressed. It put you on a higher plain! We did also talk about the fact that some employers don't value the recognition. Personally, I think it helps make us aware of people who are making a difference in the profession. However, having an LSW award would be cool, too! Allow us to recognize our own (both the up-and-coming and those who have already emerged by have not been recognized). - Jill Hurst-Wahl

Hey, Francine Fialkoff here from LJ. Just wanted to let you all know that I took your advice, Nicolas, and opened up the nominations internationally (libraryjournal.com/movers2009). No one on the list from Kentucky? Send 'em in. We're open. As far as I'm concerned there can't be too many "awards" or ways to recognize librarians. we only do 50, but for us they're representative of thousands of others. Two Movers, Chrystie Hill and Meredith Farkas, are publishing the results of their survey of several hundred M&Sers in Oct 1 LJ on reaction to awards in their libraries, impact of support/nonsupport, and a challlenge to adminstrators, librarians, to really get behind risk-takers. Dorothea, and anyone else who feels their nominees were overlooked, send me an emal (fialkoff@reedbusiness.com), submit again. Deciding on M&Sers is a fine balancing act. We don't always get right, but we sure try. FrancineFialkoff - Francine Fialkoff