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Contact: Melissa Jones
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
mjones@ala.org
For Immediate Release,
May 6, 2008

AASL names 2008 Distinguished Service Award recipient

 

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce Nancy P. Zimmerman as the recipient of the 2008 Distinguished Service Award. Zimmerman will receive the award at the AASL Awards Luncheon during the 2008 ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

            Since 1986, Zimmerman has made an impact on  the mission of AASL as a membership chair, a key member of several committees, a creator of the "Celebrate Conference," a member of the School Library Media Research Editorial Board and AASL treasurer and president. During her time on the executive board, Zimmerman led the establishment of an endowment fund to secure the financial stability of the association. She was also a full board member of the Partnership for 21st-Century Skills.

            Zimmerman's work to promote school librarians does not stop with AASL. She has also been active in state associations, including serving as president of the New York Library Association. Her Ph.D. dissertation, entitled "The Attitudes of School Library Media Specialists in New York State Toward Multi-type Library Networking and Technology," had an impact on the development of 48 school library systems in New York.

In her nomination letter, Erlene Bishop Killeen stated, "Wherever Nancy is, she is promoting school librarians and professional involvement." Killeen further wrote, "Dr. Zimmerman guided countless students through their school library practicum…always networking and seeking the best practicing professionals as placements for her students. She encourages recent grads to become active in state and national associations, continuing their professional development. Nancy leads by example and invites others to join her in the journey."

Sponsored by Baker and Taylor, the Distinguished Service Award was established in 1978. The award recognizes an individual member of the library profession who has, over a significant period of time, made an outstanding national contribution to school librarianship and school library development.

The AASL Awards Luncheon will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at the Marriott Hotel-Anaheim. The fee to attend is $49. Special guest speaker for the event is award-winning author Wendy Mass. For more information about this event and more AASL programs in Anaheim, visit http://www.ala.org/aasl/annual.

            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.