The State University of New York and the University at Albany have created Excellence in Librarianship Awards to recognize extraordinary professional achievement in librarianship and to encourage the continuation of excellence. A nominee for the award must have a full-time appointment as a librarian, may not perform administrative duties more than 50% of the time, and must have completed at least three academic years of service. Previous recipients are not eligible to be nominated.
| Sharona Wachs | 2007 | |
| Deborah Bernnard | 2006 | |
| Mary Osielski | 2005 | |
| M. Suzanne Turner | 2005 | |
| Carol Anne Germain | 2004 | |
| Carol Anderson | 2003 | |
Mary Jane Brustman |
2002 | |
| Laura Cohen | 2001 | |
| Otis Chadley | 2001 | |
| Cathy Dwyer | 2000 | |
| Geoffrey Williams | 1998 | |
| Gillian McCombs | 1997 | |
| Anne Roberts | 1997 | |
| Judith Place | 1996 | |
| David A. Tyckoson | 1995 | |
| Trudi Jacobson | 1995 | |
| Heather Miller | 1993 | |
| Michael Knee | 1992 | |
| Barbara Via | 1992 | |
| Eleanor Gossen | 1991 | |
| Henry Mendelsohn | 1991 | |
| Richard Irving | 1990 | |
| Steven D. Atkinson | 1990 | |
| Judith Hudson | 1989 | |
| Marjorie Benedict | 1989 | |
| Bonnie Bryant | 1988 | |
| Sharon Bonk | 1986 | |
| William Young | 1985 | |
| Dorothy Christiansen | 1980 | |
| Meredith Butler | 1980 | (SUNY Brockport) |
| Mark Yerburgh | 1978 | |
| Tae Moon Lee | 1978 | |
| Sara D. Knapp | 1977 | |
| Ruth Fraley | 1975 | (Schenectady County Community College) |