Contact: Keidra Chaney
Coordinator 
312-280-4381
kchaney@ala.org

For Immediate Release

May 28, 2004

Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. selected as 2004 Crystal Apple winner

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Frances Roscello has selected Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. (BTSB) as the recipient of the AASL Crystal Apple Award. The award is given at the discretion of the AASL president to an individual or group who has had significant impact on school libraries and students.

In her recommendation, Roscello specifically cited Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc.'s scholarship program for first-time attendees at the AASL National Conference. BTSB also funded the design and production of AASL's "Principal's Manual for your School Library Media Program," which was published and distributed to 84,000 U.S. elementary and middle school principals in 2000. In addition, BTSB funded a forum on the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and the School Library Media Profession, held by AASL in 2002.

The award will be presented to Robert Sibert, president of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc., at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla. on Monday, June 28, 2004, during the AASL Awards Luncheon.   The ceremony will take place from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.   Information about other AASL awards to be presented at the 2004 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando is available on the AASL Web site: http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/conferencesandevents/aaslannual/aaslalaannual.htm.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is a division of ALA. AASL 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.