American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

AASL opens proposals for 2021 national conference programming

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has launched a comprehensive call for proposals for its 2021 national conference. AASL invites proposals for concurrent sessions, research into practice sessions, and the IdeaLab best practice showcase to be presented Oct. 21-23, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Complete proposals must be submitted by 12:00 p.m. Central on Mon., February 1, 2021. More information is available at national.aasl.org/proposals.

AASL seeks proposals for:

Mesquite Independent School District named National School Library of the Year

CHICAGO – Mesquite Independent School District (MISD), located in Mesquite, Texas, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2020 National School Library of the Year (NSLY) Award.

Study finds journaling strengthens school librarian practice

CHICAGO – New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), explores the use of journaling as a reflective practice of pre-service school librarians. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

Sweeping AASL survey of schools reopening provides revealing snapshot of school library landscape under COVID-19

CHICAGO – As schools across the country make critical decisions about how to handle a variety of back-to-school scenarios, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is collecting data from school librarians across the country to gauge the status of teaching, school library use, and school librarians’ roles as school/district plans continue to adapt to the pandemic.

Study finds genrefication increases browsing satisfaction

CHICAGO – New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), explores the impact of genrefying the fiction section in an elementary school library. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation, and evaluation of school libraries. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

Kimberly McFall Wins a Year of Free AASL Membership

CHICAGO – By sharing the wealth of AASL membership with a colleague, Kimberly McFall, assistant professor at Marshall University, has won a free year of AASL membership. McFall's name was drawn as the monthly winner of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Share the Wealth Campaign. By referring Nellie Johnson to AASL, McFall has been entered to win an AASL National Conference grand prize package, which includes registration, airfare, and hotel accommodations.

For school librarians, learning continues no matter the environment

CHICAGO – Results from an American Association of School Librarians (AASL) back-to-school survey show that school librarians are continuing to adapt and evolve to provide consistent learning for their students in response to the changing COVID-19 landscape. The survey collected responses from building-level school librarians, district supervisors, and educators of school librarians on school/school library opening, school library space and use, expected collection loss, and budgeting.

Applications open for 2021 AASL awards

CHICAGO – Applications for the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2021 awards are now available. AASL members are encouraged to nominate a colleague or themselves to be lauded for their outstanding talent and dedication to the profession as part of this prestigious awards program. AASL awards and grants recognize excellence and showcase best practices in the school library field in categories that include collaboration, leadership, and innovation.

Applications are now open for:

AASL offers COVID Recovery Grants

CHICAGO – Through a special offering of its Inspire Collection Development Grant, made possible through the generous support of Marina “Marney” Welmers, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will offer grants to specifically address collection loss and remote access requirements due to COVID-19 school closures. To help meet the needs of school libraries making the fall return to learning, applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on September 30, 2020.

AASL partners with the Human Rights Campaign to help LGBTQ students THRIVE

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is partnering with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation on its Project THRIVE. Project THRIVE is a multi-year national campaign to create more equitable, inclusive support systems and help families and youth-serving professionals become better equipped to affirm, support, and care for LGBTQ youth.