American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

Calzada Elected 2024-2025 AASL President

CHICAGO – Becky Calzada, Library Services Coordinator in the Leander Independent School District (ISD) based in Leander, Texas, has been elected the 2023-2024 president-elect of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). She will serve as the AASL President during the 2024-2025 term.

Upon learning the outcome of the election, Calzada provided the following statement:

Travel Grants Available for First-Time AASL National Conference Attendees

CHICAGO — Thirty travel grants are available to school library professionals wishing to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference for the first time. The $750 grants for first-time attendees of the conference are sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books. Those interested in applying can access the application at www.ala.org/aasl/conferences/aasl23/btsb.  The deadline for applications is April 24, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

AASL seeks reviewers for 2023 National Conference

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is currently accepting applications for volunteers to participate in a blind review and scoring of proposals for the 2023 AASL National Conference to be held October 19-21 in Tampa, FL. To apply, please use the application form located at www.ala.org/aasl/national/reviewer. The deadline for reviewer applications is Sat., April 15, 2023.

“Global Human Rights Research Project” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice

CHICAGO – The “Global Human Rights Research Project” from Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito, California, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Random House, the Roald Dahl Award recognizes collaboration between school librarians and teachers in the instruction of social justice using school library resources.

Molly Dettmann receives AASL Frances Henne Award

CHICAGO – Molly Dettmann, teacher librarian at Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Libraries Unlimited, the $1,250 award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with students, teachers, and administrators. The award will enable Dettmann to attend an AASL National Conference for the first time.

Charlotte Chung receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant

CHICAGO – Charlotte Chung, media specialist at Suncrest Elementary School in Morgantown, West Virginia, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Capstone, the $2,500 grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers. 

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a dynamic group of school library professionals to serve on the Knowledge Quest (KQ) and School Library Research (SLR) Editorial Boards. These publications move the profession forward by highlighting school library best practices and emergent research in the field. For more information and the application, visit www.ala.org/aasl/app.

Amanda Jones receives AASL Intellectual Freedom Award

CHICAGO – Amanda Jones, school librarian and president of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Intellectual Freedom Award. Established in 1982 and sponsored by ProQuest, the award is given for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by AASL and ALA.

Missouri Association of School Librarians receives AASL Chapter of the Year Award

CHICAGO – The Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Chapter of the Year Award. The $1,000 award recognizes the AASL Chapter most active and dynamic in achieving the goals of AASL at the state and local level.

South Carolina Association of School Librarians Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant

CHICAGO – The South Carolina Association of School Librarians (SCASL) is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local level.