Professional Awards & Scholarships
Call for Nominations & Applications
Click here for nomination information: Louis Rachow Award for Distinguished Service in Performing Arts Librarianship 2026 (Nominate by November 2nd, 2026!)
Click here for application information: Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship 2026 (Apply by November 2nd, 2026!)
Louis Rachow Distinguished Service in Performing Arts Librarianship Award
Theatre Library Association celebrates the excellence of our profession by bestowing the Louis Rachow Distinguished Service in Performing Arts Librarianship Award on individuals who embody its best qualities.
Louis Rachow had a long and distinguished career in performing arts librarianship, highlighted by a quarter century as Curator/Librarian of the Hampden-Booth Theatre Library at The Players, followed by another decade as Library Director of the International Theatre Institute of the United States. His publications, as author and editor, helped to educate several generations of performing arts librarians in the practices and history of the field. Over the course of more than 50 years as a TLA member, he served as an executive board member, President, Vice President, chair of the nominating committee, editor of the newsletter, and liaison to the Special Libraries Association, the Council of National Library Associations, and the Library/Information Network-New York. He remained active in the organization throughout his life, holding the post of TLA Historian and attending events and board meetings whenever he was able. He passed away on August 28, 2017; he was 90.
In recognition of his exemplary record of service, the Distinguished Service Award was renamed in honor of Louis Rachow in 2013.
For questions about the Louis Rachow Distinguished Service Award, contact Drew Barker, Chair of the TLA Professional Awards Committee.
Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship
Theatre Library Association is pleased to sponsor the Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship in memory of the achievements of this beloved theater historian, scholar, educator, and mentor.
Brooks McNamara – beloved theater historian, scholar, educator, and mentor – was Professor of Performance Studies at New York University and founder of the Shubert Archive.
The Brooks McNamara Performing Arts Librarian Scholarship acknowledges outstanding professional accomplishments of promising students currently enrolled in MLIS or archival training programs specializing in performing arts librarianship. The winner receives a $750 check and a one-year complimentary TLA membership.
The scholarship is offered every other year. Click here for the current form application.
For questions about the McNamara Scholarship, contact the chair of the Professional Awards Committee, Drew Barker (dbarker@umd.edu).