- American Library Association, L, Ray Patterson Copyright Award, 2022
- American Library Association, Honorary Membership, 2022
- New York Library Association, Intellectual Freedom Award, 2020
- Miles Conrad Award, National Information Standards Organization and National Federation of Advanced Information Services, 2020
- International Federation of Library Associations, Scroll of Appreciation, 2016
- American Library Association, Joseph W. Lippincott Award, 2015
- Freedom to Read Foundation, Roll of Honor Award, 2015
- University of Alberta, Honorary Doctor of Laws, 2010
- American Library Association, Melvil Dewey Medal Award, 2009
- American Library Association, Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial Award, 2007
- Association of College and Research Libraries, Academic/Research Librarian of the Year, 1997
- Indiana Library Federation, Outstanding Librarian of the Year, 1993
- White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services, Delegate, 1991; elected Head of Indiana Delegation, elected member of the Conference Resolutions Committee
- Library Administration and Management Association, Certificate of Special Thanks, 1991
- Indiana Governor's Conference on Libraries and Information Services, Delegate, 1990
- Pennsylvania Library Association, Certificate of Merit, 1989