School Library Month
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries.
Description and History
School Library Month is the American Association of School Librarians' celebration of school librarians and school libraries. Every April school librarians are encouraged to host activities to help their school and local community celebrate the essential role that strong school libraries play in transforming learning. The AASL efforts for a national School Library Month were spearheaded by Lucille Thomas, chair of the School Library Media Month Committee. Thomas was appointed by President Judy King in 1983. Their work came to fruition on April 1, 1985, when AASL officials, local and national dignitaries got the first School Library Month off to a rousing start with a ceremony on the west steps of the U.S. Capitol. Learn more about the history of School Library Month.
Related Events
Promotional & Advocacy Tools
Editable Canva Infographic
Make a copy of this Canva infographic to present your data to your community and advocate for you and your library. Includes the 40th anniversary logo for School Library Month!
Proclamation Templates
Ask your school and elected officials and request they proclaim the month of April as School Library Month! The following samples are based on actual proclamations shared with AASL by its members. They are presented here as templates that can be downloaded and modified to fit your needs.
Administrator Toolkit
Introduce Administrators to the AASL Standards
School librarians not only craft their instruction to meet state standards and expectations, but also look to the National School Library Standards as a foundation for learning. This guide is an overview of the Standards for Learners.
Share what Administrators Think About School Libraries
AASL’s growing YouTube playlist features district superintendents and principals sharing how effective school libraries with certified librarians enhance teaching, learning culture, and student outcomes across all subjects.
School Libraries & Student Achievement
This infographic highlights the impact of school librarians on student achievement and outlines eight key library characteristics. Share with your administrator to explore how their support enhances student learning.
Roles of the School Librarian
This 23 page impact study from the Northeast Comprehensive Center takes a deep look at the four main roles of a school librarian and how they empower student learning and success.
If My Administrators Only Knew
This Knowledge Quest blog post, authored by 2021 School Library Journal Librarian of the Year Amanda Jones, examines the impact increased technology responsibilities and “other duties as assigned” have on student learning and library programs.
Administrator Thank You Card Kit
Here are thank you cards that you can print off and sign for your librarian to thank them for the work they do. Thank you for appreciating and celebrating your librarian during the 40th anniversary of School Library Month!
For Librarian Advocates
Teacher, Student, and Parent Thank You Card Kit
Here are thank you cards that you can print off and sign for your librarian to thank them for the work they do. Thank you for appreciating and celebrating your librarian during the 40th anniversary of School Library Month!
Invite Fellow Librarians to Celebrate
Host a School Library Pal name exchange for the month. Carolyn Vibbert shares her tips and Google Form questions for others to execute their own Secret Librarian exchange.
Badges
40th Anniversary Canva Frame
Use one of these frames on your social media (or elsewhere) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of School Library Month.
Graphics & Presentation Templates
Click an image below to download a zip file containing graphics, a PowerPoint template, and a poster you can use to create your own School Library Month celebration! Graphics are freely available for use provided no alterations are made and the posting is for education, noncommercial purposes only.
Spokespeople PSAs
Embed these videos from School Library Month Spokespeople on your library website or share across social media to spread the word on the importance of school libraries.
Professional Learning Resources
AASL Gathering: Celebrating School Library Month
During the March AASL Gathering, the AASL School Library Event Promotion Committee explored ways school librarians can celebrate the 40th anniversary of School Library Month. The committee shared the resources they curated and created to celebrate.
Celebrate School Library Month Webinar
Six school librarians share ways to celebrate School Library Month for grades Pre-K to 12. They provide examples of past celebrations, along with resources to help you celebrate in your library.
Building Relationships BINGO Fun Knowledge Quest article by Courtney Pentland
"Building Relationships BINGO Fun" encourages educators to use a customizable BINGO board to set goals for strengthening relationships. It highlights the power of small, daily connections with those who influence their practice and learners.
School Library Month Timeline
How much do you know about School Library Month? This timeline lays it all out for you! Learner activities to pair with the timeline are below!
School Library Month Calendar
Keep track of all of the special events that AASL is hosting for you and your students this April. It will be updated as more events are scheduled.
BlueSky Meetup
Please meet us on Bluesky to chat, connect, and meet each other. Use the hashtag #AASLslm to find us and answer some fun questions (linked above) to get to know each other and exchange ideas. Happening April 22 at 7.30 CST.
Student Engagement Resources
I Can Read! Printable Easy Reader Activities
I Can Read has one-page printables, including mazes, drawing pages, and word games for elementary students.
Click Clack Books Activities
Use these free printable one-page activities from the Click Clack books by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
Mouse Cookie Books Activities
Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond have so many fun one-page printable activities including games, coloring pages and recipes from the Mouse Cookie books
Fathom Publishing Activities
Free printable booklets with animal activities such as crossword puzzles, coloring pages, word searches, mazes and games.
School Library Month Signable Posters
Choose from these posters to post in your library and have your students, teachers, support staff, and admin sign for School Library Month!
SLM 40th Anniversary Bookmarks
Print these off for your students to celebrate the 40th anniversary of School Library Month.
Library Coloring Pages
Print several of these coloring pages off for your students to celebrate the library! The ALA coloring pages are a combination of writing prompts and coloring pages, while the Canva designs are additional coloring pages you can have available for your stu
Selfie Stations
From printable selfie props to a selfie station challenge, there are several tools and instructions that you can use to have a fun, library selfie station activity in your library to celebrate School Library Month
Elementary Scavenger Hunt
This elementary scavenger hunt is the perfect amount of fun for your elementary students to celebrate School Library Month.
Middle School Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate School Library Month with your middle school students as they go through the Quest for the Ancient Five Keys.
High School Scavenger Hunt
Coming Soon!
School Library Month Timeline
How much do your students know about School Library Month? Pair an informational document, interactive timeline, and set of questions, and have your students answer the timeline questions!
Button Templates
Calling all button artists! School Library Month is here, and we're celebrating in style! We've whipped up some fantastic templates, including a special 40th-anniversary design, perfect for your button maker. Let your students' creativity shine!
Book Lists
Books About Libraries
Select these books to help your students start their celebration of School Library Month!
