Contact: Melissa B. Jones
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
mjones@ala.org

NEWS
For Immediate Release
July 22, 2008

NSLMPY 2009 application available for members

 
CHICAGO – The 2009 application for the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) National School Library Media Program of the Year (NSLMPY) Award is now available online for member download and submission. The application can be downloaded at http://www.ala.org/aasl/awards. The deadline is Jan. 2, 2009.

Established in 1963, the NSLMPY award honors school library media programs, at both a school and district level, that ensure  students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. It particularly recognizes programs that are fully integrated into the school's curriculum. Each winning program receives a $10,000 prize ($30,000 total) donated by Follett Library Resources.  Information on past winners, including 2008 winners, Luella Elementary School in Locust Grove, Ga., and Simsbury High School in Simsbury, Conn. can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslawards/natlslmprogram/aaslnational.cfm.

Ann M. Martin, AASL president, said, "This award is one of the most gratifying benefits provided to school library media specialists by AASL and its sponsor Follett Library Resources. As a former NSLMPY award winner, I urge all AASL members to apply for this prestigious award. Any AASL member applying for this award will experience library program growth as they strive to be named the best school library media program in the nation. In keeping with my beliefs about the significance of leadership to the success of our profession, NSLMPY award identifies school library programs that serve as exemplar models to our AASL membership in the entire school library profession."

For more information about  schools that have received the NSLMPY award, as well as best practices for developing an award-winning school library media program, read  "Leadership for Excellence," edited by Jo Ann Carr. The publication is available at http://www.alastore.ala.org/SiteSolution.taf?_sn=catalog2&_pn=product_detail&_op=2581.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), 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.