The American Library Association on Wednesday announced that Brooklyn Public Library's Amy Mikel received the 2026 Medal of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding and creative leadership in librarianship.
The award highlights Mikel's work to expand equitable access to library cards through national research on registration policies and barriers to access.
Mikel, senior director of customer experience at Brooklyn Public Library, led a research project that began in 2023 to examine library card registration practices across the United States. The study collected data from more than 2,000 libraries, creating the first known national dataset on the subject.
"It's an incredible honor to be recognized for this work to make library cards accessible to all," Mikel said in a statement. "Thank you to the American Library Association for reaffirming the value of equitable library access, to the thousands of libraries who participated in our research and to the many library leaders working tirelessly to keep our libraries strong."
Researchers examined barriers that can prevent people from obtaining library cards, including requirements for government-issued ID, proof of address, language accessibility and policies affecting people experiencing homelessness, those living in transitional housing, and patrons whose names do not match their legal identification.
The recognition reflects the growing national focus on making library services more accessible. Library cards provide access to books, digital resources, educational programs, internet services and community spaces, making them an important entry point to public library services. The research has encouraged libraries to review registration policies that may unintentionally limit access for some residents.
The project also produced guiding principles that encourage libraries to accept the widest possible range of eligibility verification and make library cards available to everyone living within a library's service area, regardless of housing status, documentation, age, ability or economic circumstances.
The recommendations also address ways to issue library cards to people who cannot visit a library in person and improve access for minors seeking to use library services independently.
The research and its recommendations are expected to continue informing library registration policies across the country as public libraries consider ways to reduce barriers and expand access to services for their communities.
