The object of the Awards is to encourage the production of high quality publicly or locally funded local history publications. They are open to all heritage and community organisations; and individuals that have self-published. Our criteria for assessing the award are not just about the quality and content of a publication, but its whole journey i.e. how it was conceived, who is involved and how it was funded. A list of previous winners can be found on Wikipedia.
We especially welcome submissions from libraries, archives, museum and archaeology services, small local museums and heritage centres, Local History societies, community history projects and local authors. Publications will be deemed to include books, maps, manuscripts, prints, drawings, exhibition catalogues, bibliographies, CDs, DVDs, websites, Apps, other aspects of social media including blogs.
Library Services Trust and CILIP Local Studies Group
The Awards are administered by the Library Services Trust and CILIP Local Studies Group. The Trust is responsible for several other awards while the Local Studies Group supports people working in local studies librarianship.
Alan Ball was formerly Chief Librarian of the London Borough of Harrow. He was for many years an officer and member of the London and Home Counties Branch Committee of the Library Association, which has published a number of books written by him on local history topics. This Award is named after him in recognition of his service to the Branch.
2025 Award
We have three categories:
- Print publication – for best hardcopy publication
- E-publication – for best digital publication (e-books, journals, websites or virtual exhibitions, blogs and apps. We are unable to include digital installations within heritage or museum sites)
- Community Award – for best community publication in either category.
The publication needs to have appeared between January and December 2025.
Submission Deadline
Nominations, including a copy of the publication or link to e-content, to be submitted by end of January 2026.
The Prize
Winners will be given a certificate, the use of a winner’s logo and accorded the title of Alan Ball Award winner, which can be used on promotional material.
Submitting your entry
Nominations close at the end of January 2026. For the print publication prize, we would like a hard copy of any item you submit, together with this paper form Alan Ball Entry Form 2025. Please send both sent to: Terry Bracher (Chairman of CILIP LSG) c/o Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, SN15 3QN.
To nominate your e-project, complete the form below:
Any other questions?
Contact Terry Bracher (Chairman of CILIP LSG) c/o Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, SN15 3QN.
Email: chair.lsg@cilip.org.uk
CILIP Local Studies Group 