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AASL NEWS
May 13, 2004
Contact: Keidra Chaney
Phone: 312-280-4381
Fax: 312-664-7459

AASL presents 2004 National School Library Media Program of the Year winners

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is pleased to announce the 2004 winners of the National School Library Media Program of the Year Award. Sponsored by the Follett Library Resources Company, this prestigious award honors school districts and individual schools for demonstrating excellence in school library media programs that ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information, as well as exemplifying implementation of Information Power. A crystal obelisk along with a cash award of $10,000 ($30,000 total) is traditionally given in three categories, large and small school district and single school. This year, the award will be given to a large school district and two single schools.

The 2004 Large School District award goes to Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas, with 87 schools serving 71,287 students. Superintendent, Dr. John M. Folks, says in his letter of support: "In its (NISD) libraries, the 'labs of lifelong learning,' Northside's students can learn and grow and become tomorrow's leaders in a democratic society." All libraries are staffed with certified librarians and full-time library assistants and each librarian partners with the computer integration teacher (CIT). The district's library coordinator, Jana Knezek, assures that staff development is available for library media specialists, faculty, and administration. The library media specialist works with Jana and her staff to deliver staff development.

Boston Arts Academy/Fenway High School in Boston has been named one of two Single School Category winners for 2004. The school library serves both the Boston Arts Academy and Fenway High School for a total of 675 students. In addition, the library also serves as The Boston Symphony Orchestra's Education Resource Center for the entire state. Linda Nathan, Headmaster, writes: "The library and its staff constitute the intellectual center of the building. The librarians are accessible, helpful, and well connected with the need of our faculty and students. Our students are constantly engaged in projects that require them to conduct research for written and oral presentations, exhibitions, and demonstrations. The staff's preemptive understanding of the instructors' objectives facilitates their assignments."

Lois Lenski Elementary School is tied with in the Boston Arts Academy/Fenway High School Single School Category. Located in Littleton, Colorado, this school is site based managed, serves 610 students, and is the only elementary school in the district with a library media specialist. Dr. Barbara E. DeSpain, Principal, writes that the library media specialist "serves as an instructional leader in my school and across the district." Lenski has a firm commitment to a strong library media program that is flexibly scheduled with an emphasis on integrating library skills with classroom content.

The AASL awards will be presented to each winner during a ceremony and luncheon held on Monday, June 28, at the 2004 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla. Special guest speaker is 2004 Sibert Award Winner and Newbery Honor recipient Jim Murphy, sponsored by Clarion Books. For more information on the event, please contact the AASL office at 800-545-2433 ext. 4381.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a division of the American Library Association (ALA). AASL promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop leaders in the school library media field.

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