School librarians heart AASL

CHICAGO – Why do school librarians love the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and enthusiastically Share the Wealth of AASL membership with their colleagues? Kathy Lester, Melissa Grabill and Courtney Lewis encouraged their school librarian professional peers to join AASL and won a complimentary year of membership for themselves. Each was asked why they felt their colleagues should join:

“I recommend AASL membership because I believe school librarians need to be involved in their profession beyond their own school,” said Kathy Lester who referred her colleague Kelly Boston. “Being an AASL member makes me feel connected to my profession, keeps me up to date on trends in school libraries, and gives me a better understanding of how to be an excellent school librarian. I have benefited from AASL's standards, advocacy, connections with others across the nation and other resources available to members.”

Melissa Grabill, who referred coworker Julie Alonso-Hughes, shared, “AASL is an excellent way to network, meet, and strengthen relationships with other advocates for school library programs around the nation. AASL challenges members to continue to grow and share wonderful ideas with each other.”

“Being a school librarian has always meant being part of AASL,” explains Courtney Lewis, who referred both Shelly Dean and Christina Irving. “As a supervisor, I make sure my school knows that it's non-negotiable that we have the budget funds necessary for all members of our library staff to belong. If I ever get a question about that expense, I'm sure to mention how we routinely discuss recentKnowledge Quest articles in department meetings and remind them about how vital it is that we keep up with the changing face of information and technology. I've never gotten a second question worrying about it!”

As monthly winners, Lester, Grabill and Lewis have been entered into a final grand prize drawing for an AASL 18th National Conference & Exhibition package, which includes registration, three nights lodging and round trip airfare to Phoenix, Arizona, in November 2017. Mindy Engler, a former monthly winner, was the last cycle's grand prize winner and attended the recent AASL national conference in Columbus. She attended for free simply by referring Nancy Brunker to AASL.

When asked why she encouraged Bunker to join, Engler replied “School librarians rock! Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of an organization that supports librarians, libraries, reading, technology, and most importantly kids!"

Using the “Share the Wealth” membership acceptance form located on the AASL website, all current, personal AASL members are encouraged to reach out to their colleagues and invite them to join the only national professional organization focused on school librarians and the school library community. For complete program rules and regulations, visit www.ala.org/aasl/STW.

The American Association of School Librarians www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.