The prize is a memorial to Dr.Arno Heyn, a distinguished, long-serving member of the Northeastern Section. Arno occupied most of the offices of the Section at various times, but his most lasting contributions were made when he was the Editor of the NUCLEUS of the Northeastern Section. Under his guidance this publication became the outstanding newsletter among all those published by Sections of the American Chemical Society.

The prize is awarded annually to a person or persons deemed to have made the most important contribution(s) to publications of the Northeastern Section. The awardee is chosen by the Arno Heyn Book Prize Committee which is chaired by the Chair of the Publications Committee. Other Committee members include the Editor of the Nucleus, two members of
the Board of Directors appointed by the Section Chair, the Chair of the Awards Committee and the Section Chair, ex officio.

The prize is a book selected by the awardee, who is asked to choose a book that will have long time meaning and value to her/him. A bookplate mounted inside the book cover honors both the award recipient and the memory of Dr.Heyn.

Presentation of the award(s) takes place at the November meeting of the Section.