Organised by the Library Services Trust, they are an established part of the library awards scene, and provide publicity for local studies, both nationally and locally, particularly in the winners' home areas.
While originally all entries were of printed items, in recent years the judges have welcomed increasing numbers of non-print items such as websites.
The judges decided to make three Awards, the maximum number permitted. Two entries were also Commended.
The Alan Ball Awards 2010 winners are:
East Lothian Council for East Lothian 1945-2000 edited by Sonia Baker, which saw the culmination of a seven volume series by many hands resulting in a monumental work of scholarship with its detailed content matched by excellent standards of physical production.
Alison Hunter, East Lothian Principal Libraries Officer (left) is presented with the Alan Ball Award by Elizabeth Melrose.
Epping Forest District Council for The Life and Art of Octavius Dixie Deacon by Chris Pond and Richard Morris. This well-produced book, a collaboration between the Council and the Loughton and District Historical Society, is an excellent (and well illustrated) example of a publication that puts a local collection into the public domain by making available a modestly priced book that reflects numerous aspects of the local scene.
Nottinghamshire County Council for These Uncertain Times: Newark and the Civilian Experience of the Civil Wars 1640-1660 by Stuart Jennings. This very detailed study of a specific period, well researched and well produced, has all the hallmarks of an excellent local history publication.
Commended are:
East Renfrewshire Council for www.portaltothepast.co.uk, the website of a large local history collection that remains open for additions, which the judges found easy to access and navigate and which enables users to trace documents and view a vast number of images.
Stevenage Borough Council for Stevenage: A History from Roman Times to the Present Day by Margaret Ashby and Don Hills, a well-written and well-researched history of a town that has resulted in a really attractive book.
Any library, large or small, is encouraged to enter. For more details contact: Eric Winter, The Library Services Trust, CILIP, 7 Ridgmount Street, London WC1E 7AE. Tel.: 020 7255 0648. E-mail: eric.winter@cilip.org.uk