Frances Henne Award

The AASL Frances Henne Award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with learners, educators, and administrators.

Sponsored by Libraries Unlimited ABC CLIO Logo

Monetary Amount: $1,250

The current award cycle has ended. The award applications will open on September 1, 2025.

2025 Recipient

FranceHenne_Bailey_25
Shannon Bailey, School Librarian
Manchester High School
Midlothian, Virginia

"Being a school librarian is an absolute joy! Every day I learn through collaborating with dynamic colleagues, helping students broaden their world and skills, and creating engaging library experiences. As a lifelong learner, I love gaining knowledge, improving my craft, and traveling. Winning the Frances Henne Award is a phenomenal honor that will allow me to do all three. The national conference, networking, and new ideas will invigorate me and my school community. Thank you."

Overview

The AASL Frances Henne Award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with learners, educators, and administrators. The award provides a stipend for the recipient's first-time attendance at an AASL National Conference or ALA Annual Conference.

Eligibility

  1. The applicant shall be a current AASL personal member.
  2. The applicant shall be currently employed as a school librarian at the building-level and have from 1-5 years experience as a school librarian. School library experience should not exceed 5 years.
  3. The applicant shall have no previous attendance at an ALA Annual Conference or an AASL National Conference.

Criteria

All applications for the grant will be judged against the following criteria:

  1. Quality of professional statement.
  2. Content of professional statement.
  3. Professional statement style.
  4. Potential for future leadership.

Download Criteria & Rating Sheets

Download Copy of Application

* Please note: This downloadable version is for informational purposes only. All applications must be submitted online, via the Apply Now button that will appear at the top of the page when the next award season opens in early September.

Questions

Allison Cline
Deputy Executive Director

Past Recipients

2024 Gabriela Gualano

2023 Molly Dettmann

2022 Ashley Long

2021 Maria Frederick

2020 Andrea Trudeau

2019 Holly Schwarzmann

2018 Deb Sondall Saetveit

2017 Julie Stivers

2016 Kate Lechtenberg

2015 Diana Rendina

2014 Carolyn Stenzel

2013 Amy Jo Southworth

2012 Alisa Auchmoedy-Finck

2011 Shannon Hyman

2010 Melanie Gibson

2009 Jill Mantel

2008 Sarah Prielipp

2007 Jessica Klinker

2006 Gladys Fox

2005 John McDonald

2004 Cynthia Welsh

2003 Teresa Diaz

2002 Laura Stiles

2001 Katherine Grant Cadden

2000 Carl A. Harvey II

1999 Marsha Trentham Hunter

1998 Kimberly A. Grimes

1997 Roxanna K. Morse

1996 Jane Baldwin

1995 Suzanne Shearman

1994 Robert Craig Bunch

1993 Susan Elizabeth Bucko

1992 Barbara A. Jansen

1991 David Wayne Calendar

1990 Joan Enders

1989 Kathleen Rooney Sornsin

1988 Jane Louise Thomas

1987 Nancy Quesada Moreno

1986 Kathryn Smrekar