The John Philip Excellence in Outreach Award is given to an individual in recognition of their outstanding contributions and prominent leadership to the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services. 

John Philip, known to all as “Mr. Bookmobile”, spent his long and honorable career as an advocate of Bookmobile and Outreach Services. John Philip passed away on February 1, 2016. John Philip is the “Father” of the National Bookmobile Conference which started in 1986 and has now evolved into the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services. Through his strong leadership and high profile advocacy, bookmobiles have been recognized as a viable library outreach service. 

This award honors his dedication and tireless work to Bookmobile and Outreach Services, and serves as a pinnacle for all members of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services as our organization's most prestigious award.

The winner must be a current member of the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services.

Ohio State Library stated:

John retired from the State Library in 1995 after 25 years of dedicated bookmobile service and library system development. Often referred to as the “bookmobile guru,” John was both diligent and passionate in his work to support outreach services with bookmobiles. Nationally recognized for his work, he was featured in a 1994 Wall Street Journal article titled Bookmobiles Make a Comeback, Doing What Libraries Can’t: John Philip Champions Them on Tour in Amish Country; ‘The Book Stops Here’.[i] He believed bookmobiles were vital to reaching those that could not, or were not able to, go to traditional library settings. His affection for bookmobiles is evident in this quote:

“You walk into a bookmobile and there’s a smiling person who knows your name and what you like to read,” Mr. Philip says, “You can make noise and chat with neighbors. It’s intimate and informal, like shopping at a mom and pop store.” [Information source: State Library of Ohio (1969). Librarians Join State Library Staff. News from the State Library. 98, 23.]

A complete nomination should include:

● A description of the nominee's contributions to and leadership in the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services. Please share positions held by the nominee in the association, a list of their involvement in committees, and examples of projects completed for the organization.

● A description of how the nominee has positively impacted the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services and how the nominee has brought the organization forward.

● A description of how the nominee emulates the spirit of John Philip, the "Father" of the National Bookmobile Conference.

● Two (2) letters of recommendation.

Winner receives a $500 monetary award and complimentary conference registration to the ABOS Annual Conference during the year they are selected.

One (1) John Philip Excellence in Outreach Award will be presented in 2025.

Click here to submit your 2025 John Philip Excellence in Outreach Award nomination.

Questions about the 2025 ABOS Awards Program can be directed to the ABOS Awards Committee at awards@abos-outreach.com.