Milpitas, CA
A forward-thinking information literacy leader; a collaborator; a coach; a visionary; a force to be reckoned with; a creative freight train; and, in the words of one former student, an “11/10 librarian.” Meet Mia Gittlen, librarian at Milpitas High School in Milpitas, California.
Prior to Gittlen’s arrival at MHS, the library had been shuttered for years, with no way to borrow books or use its resources. Within months of her onboarding, she had revitalized the space, transforming it into a welcoming hub that invites and encourages even the most reluctant readers to stop in. The library is now host to frequent events, from reading BINGO to scavenger hunts to blood drives, and serves as a regular meeting space for several of the school’s clubs.
When it comes to technology, Gittlen wears many hats – an Apple Learning Coach, Google Certified Educator, and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, to name a few. She’s also making a larger impact to the field of school librarianship, with service in the California School Library Association, American Association of School Librarians, and as a Common Sense Ambassador. Since 2019, Gittlen has served as a Media Literacy Innovator for KQED, which hosts a national Youth Media Challenge that empowers students to create original audio, video, and other media that are showcased online. And in her community, she organizes an array of community gatherings, including literacy summer camps, a summer book club for school librarians, and monthly “Active Educators” fitness meetups.
“Mia Gittlen is not just an outstanding librarian; she is a vibrant, innovative, and empathetic mentor who actively transforms the practice of those around her,” one of her nominators wrote. “Her vision, passion, and infectious laugh show her deep, pure love for the library profession. She goes above and beyond to care for her community of students and colleagues, making her a truly deserving recipient of the I Love My Librarian Award.”
Gittlen was selected from more than 1,300 nominations from library users nationwide for the 2026 award. As part of her award, she will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend ALA’s Annual Conference in Chicago.
The I Love My Librarian Award is sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, with additional support from the New York Public Library, and is administered by the American Library Association. Since 2008, library users have shared more than 25,000 nominations detailing how librarians have gone above and beyond to promote literacy, expand access to technology, and support diversity and inclusion in their communities.
