The Florida State University student chapter of the American Library Association (ALA) has won the 2012-2013 Runner-Up for the ALA Student Chapter of the Year Award. The news comes after receiving top honors last year as the ALA’s 2011-2012 Student Chapter of the Year.

“Despite it being a largely virtual group, our chapter has once again proven itself to be one of the two, top-ranked ALA chapters in the U.S.,” said faculty co-advisor Dr. Christie Koontz. The majority of students in the student chapter are online, distance students in the master’s program at FSU School of Library & Information Studies.

“This year we focused on expanding our connection with distance members through social media and connecting with the local community through volunteering,” said chapter president, Mary Turner. “Please join me in congratulating our board members: Timothy Kanke, LeAnna Kiggins, Jade Stagg, Mackenzie Lightfoot and Katrina Wood.”

The annual recognition is presented to one of the 57 national chapters in recognition of outstanding contributions to the American Library Association, to the chapter’s school and to the library and information studies profession.

“The committee was impressed by your chapter’s outreach to the complete student population, offering them both social and professional development activities online,” the ALA award committee said, in an email congratulating the chapter, “We thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

The FSU chapter will receive a certificate at a student reception being held at the American Library Association’s annual conference in Chicago, IL on the evening of Sunday, June 30.