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

Apply Now
Click the "Apply Now" to access the application. You must be a member to submit an application. Click the "Login" button in the upper-right corner of the website page before accessing the application.

Deadline: February 1, 2026

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