Skip Dye to Receive BISG's 2026 Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Service
We’re thrilled to share that The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has named our very own Skip Dye, Senior Vice President, Penguin Random House, the 2026 recipient of the Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Service, recognizing his decades of leadership, advocacy, and service on behalf of libraries, publishers, readers, and the freedom to read.
Named for one of BISG’s longtime volunteers and advocates, the Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Service recognizes the tireless and persistent efforts—often unseen—of an individual working on behalf of the book industry. Skip’s career exemplifies that spirit of service, combining deep publishing expertise with an extraordinary commitment to strengthening the connections among publishers, libraries, authors, and readers.
“I’m deeply honored to receive the Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Service. Having had the privilege of working with Sally for many years and seeing firsthand the contributions she made to our industry, receiving an award bearing her name is especially meaningful to me,” said Skip Dye, of the recognition.
During nearly three decades at Penguin Random House, Skip has become one of the publishing industry’s most prominent advocates for libraries and intellectual freedom. As head of Penguin Random House’s Intellectual Freedom Task Force, he has helped lead our efforts to defend the freedom to read through public awareness, author education, employee engagement, and legal action. Skip was recently elected to serve as a Trustee for the Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF) during the 2026-2028 term, where he works alongside fellow Trustees to ensure the right to read remains protected for all. He has also worked extensively with the American Library Association (ALA), serving in leadership roles and helping develop resources, training, and advocacy initiatives for libraries and their supporters.
“Skip’s career is a remarkable example of what the Sally Dedecker Award was created to recognize: sustained, generous service that makes the entire book industry stronger,” said Allison Belan, Executive Director of BISG. “He has spent decades building bridges between publishers and libraries while advocating for the fundamental importance of access to books and information. His willingness to put his expertise, relationships, and influence to work on behalf of the broader community has had an impact far beyond any one organization.”
Skip’s contributions have received significant recognition across the publishing and library communities. In 2025, the ALA conferred upon him Honorary Membership, its highest honor, recognizing his longstanding support of the library and publishing communities, his leadership on behalf of libraries, and his advocacy for intellectual freedom. Skip received the 2025 FTRF’s Roll of Honor Award, recognizing his ongoing dedication to defending freedom of expression through advocacy and litigation in the courts. He was also named one of Publishers Weekly’s 2024 Notables for his central role in the publishing industry’s efforts to defend the freedom to read and received the 2024 Library Champion Award from the Friends of Delaware Libraries and the Delaware Legislative Committee for his advocacy on behalf of library funding.
The Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Service will be presented during BISG@50: Book Publishing Next Forum & Anniversary Celebration, taking place Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at The New York Historical in New York City.
Learn more and register for BISG@50 at bisg.org.