AASL Relaunches Research Grant Program; Calls for Papers

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) announces the relaunch of the AASL Research Grant program now under the sponsorship of School Library Connection. Research grants recognize excellence in manuscripts addressing a persistent and recurring challenge in the field of school librarianship. AASL, in collaboration with its Educators of School Librarians Section, invites researchers to submit papers on original research for grant consideration. Papers must be submitted by Sunday, June 30, 2019, for consideration. Information on the application process and eligibility can be found on the AASL website.

Three research papers will be selected and each will receive a grant in the amount of $350. Full papers submitted can either be articles published in a peer-reviewed journal with a publication date announced or completed research papers ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (or currently under review). If selected, at least one author must be able to attend the 2019 AASL National Conference & Exhibition to present their research. Additionally, at least one author per paper must be willing and able, upon request, to author a practitioner-friendly article on their research for publication in School Library Connection.

“The editorial leadership here at School Library Connection — Carl Harvey, Leslie Preddy, Rebecca Morris, and myself — are thrilled to revive this important research grant program,” said David Paige, managing editor of School Library Connection. “In sponsoring these awards, School Library Connection aims not only to support and celebrate the best current research in school librarianship, but also to strengthen the bridge between researchers and the boots-on-the-ground practitioners who can apply their findings. The entire profession benefits when researchers have a broader platform for reaching their audience, which these grants enable through a dedicated session at national conference and through practitioner-friendly coverage of their research for School Library Connection's thousands of readers.”

"I want to thank School Library Connection for their generous sponsorship of the AASL Research Grant," said Kathryn Roots Lewis, AASL president. "School library research that explores the challenges and value of our field is critical in shaping the powerful role of school librarians in the educational community. AASL members look forward to engaging with research findings and moving them into practice."

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