She is being recognized in Chicago this month
The American Library Association has named Lisa Wells, executive director of Pioneer Library System, as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 ALA Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship.
The award is one of the profession’s highest honors recognizing extraordinary contributions to the public understanding, appreciation, and advancement of libraries and librarianship.
The award honors individuals whose work elevates librarianship beyond traditional expectations and strengthens the visibility and credibility of libraries within the broader public sphere. Throughout more than three decades of service, Wells has become nationally recognized for positioning libraries as essential civic infrastructure and catalysts for innovation, education, workforce development, and community connection.
Under Wells’ leadership, PLS launched groundbreaking initiatives that reshaped customer access and engagement, including the first 24 Hour Library in North America, one of the nation’s first library-created mobile apps, and the internally developed Library Connect platform.
She also established IMPACT PLS, the library system’s leadership development program now entering its sixteenth year, which has helped more than one-third of participants advance into expanded leadership roles.
Wells’ commitment to innovation extends beyond library walls. Her leadership helped bring solar-powered smart benches to Newcastle, providing Wi-Fi access, device charging, and immediate access to digital library materials; a concept that later gained national attention and inspired similar projects across North America.
Her nomination also highlighted transformational programs such as EBSCO’s BlueCareer, which expanded access to workforce readiness and career development resources across Oklahoma, reinforcing libraries as key drivers of economic mobility and lifelong learning.
In addition to her work within PLS, Wells has served as a tireless advocate for libraries at the local, state, and national levels.
During her tenure as president of the Oklahoma Library Association during the COVID- 19 pandemic, she helped amplify the voice of libraries during a critical period of uncertainty and change.
Her advocacy efforts have consistently elevated public awareness of the evolving role libraries play in strengthening communities.
“Lisa does not simply lead a library system; she champions libraries as essential, trusted institutions in our communities and nationwide,” wrote Jeannette Mc-Nally, assistant City Manager of Newcastle and one of the nominators in support of Wells’ award application. “She is a passionate advocate for librarianship whose leadership has strengthened local communities, influenced national dialogue, and helped shape a stronger future for libraries.”
The nomination further praised Wells for transforming challenges into opportunities through strategic leadership, community engagement, and a clear vision for the future of library service.
“Her voice, leadership, and impact have also been felt at the federal level,” said nominators at the Urban Libraries Council. “Lisa played a critical role in deepening engagement with Representative Tom Cole, including helping facilitate a meaningful local library visit that demonstrated firsthand the transformative work of libraries.”
Wells will be formally recognized during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this June.
