In 2005, FoKL initiated the Duane Johnson Library Leadership Award to recognize outstanding contributions to Kansas libraries. Awardees are selected by the FoKL board, and it is the most prestigious award they confer. Those who have been recognized include:
- Hans Fischer, President of FoKL and KLTA
- Leroy Gattin, Treasurer of KLA, Director of Hutchinson Public and SCKLS
- Vikki Jo Stewart, Volunteer Coordinator and Special Projects Director, State Library of Kansas
- Pat Gaunce, Director of West Wyandotte Branch of the Kansas City Kansas Public Library, Governmental Affairs Chair of KLA
- Jane Hatch, Kansas City Kansas Public Library
- Betty Cattrell, Director of Haysville Community Library
- Jim Minges, NEKLS Director
- Cindi Hickey, State Library of Kansas
- Shannon Roy, State Library of Kansas
- Carol Barta, NCKLS
- Cynthia Berner and Gina Millsap, Wichita and Topeka Shawnee County Public Libraries
- Carolyn Little, NEKLS, FoKL
- Gary Schmidt, Maybee Library, Washburn University
- Warren Robinson and Mabel Moses (posthumously) – 2019
- Marion Renner, Haysville Friends, member of State Library Board
- George Seamon, Director NWKLS and KLA headquarters
- Paul Hawkins, Director SCKLS