AASL News

AASL and ALSC Partner with Pokémon to Launch School and Public Library Pokémon Clubs

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), divisions of the American Library Association (ALA)...

AASL Saint Louis October 16-18, 2025 national.aasl.org

AASL 2025 National Conference to Feature Renowned Authors in Dynamic Panels

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will host its 2025 National Conference in St. Louis, October 16-18, 2025, featuring a robust lineup...

New Research Examines Recruitment and Retention of Black Female School Librarians

CHICAGO – Newly published research study from the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), used interviews and research...

AASL to Host a Screening of The Librarians

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will host a screening of the documentary The Librarians, from Oscar-nominated and Peabody Award-winning director and...

book cover for Leveraging AI in School Libraries: From Basics to Best Practices

AI guidance for school librarians

CHICAGO — The sudden appearance of AI in educational settings is exciting and transformative—and also disorienting. But this shift presents new opportunities to enhance school...

Empowering student volunteers in the school library

CHICAGO — Juggling the responsibilities of teaching, budgeting, curating, programming, planning, and advocating, it's no wonder that school librarians feel overstretched. Training student volunteers in...

book cover for National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, Second Edition (AASL Standards)

AASL announces publication of the second edition of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries

CHICAGO — Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, the newly released second edition of “ National School Library Standards...

We Need Diverse Books Brings Literature to Life at AASL National Conference General Session

CHICAGO- We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) will bring together a panel to keynote the Friday general session during the 2025 AASL National Conference. Join bestselling...

The School Librarian's Guide to (Almost) Everything

CHICAGO — Because school librarians assume so many roles—leader, advocate, instructional partner, teacher, information specialist, and program administrator—their responsibilities vary widely. It’s impossible to be...

Jason Reynolds to Keynote AASL National Conference General Session

CHICAGO – Acclaimed author Jason Reynolds will keynote the Saturday general session during the 2025 AASL National Conference in a conversation with author co-chairs Shannon...

Susan D. Ballard receives AASL Distinguished Service Award

CHICAGO- Susan D. Ballard, past president of AASL and a retired district director of Library, Media, and Technology (Londonderry, NH), is the recipient of the...

AASL President Becky Calzada Honors The Librarians Filmmakers and Book Riot’s Kelly Jensen with Presidential Commendations

CHICAGO – During the 2025 ALA Annual Conference, held June 26–30 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, American Association of School Librarians (AASL) President Becky Calzada awarded her...

AASL National Conference Closing Session Live Recording of The Reading Culture Podcast with Mychal Threets

CHICAGO—Mychal Threets, the Mr. Rogers of school librarians, will conclude the 2025 AASL National Conference, which will take place October 16-18 in St. Louis, Missouri...

AASL Research Paper Awards Announced

CHICAGO – Three research papers have been awarded the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Research Paper Award by the Educators of School Librarians...

Thirty AASL Members Awarded Bound to Stay Bound Grants to Attend First 2025 AASL National Conference

CHICAGO – Thirty American Association of School Librarians (AASL) members have been awarded $750 travel grants to attend their first AASL National Conference. Generously sponsored...

Stone Bridge High School Awarded ALA’s 2025 Jaffarian Award for Historical Artifact Footlocker Program

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its 2025 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award to Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia...

book cover for Invention and Innovation (Discover and Learn with the Library series)

Explore invention and innovation with easily sharable, classroom-ready materials from the Library of Congress

CHICAGO — A new publication in “Discover and Learn with the Library,” an educational series published by the Library of Congress in association with ALA...

American Association of School Librarians Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning 2025

AASL Announces 2025 Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has released its annual list of Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning. The Best Digital...

AASL President’s Program Brings Banned Together Author Ashley Hope Pérez to ALA Annual Conference

CHICAGO— AASL President Becky Calzada will host Ashley Hope Pérez, author of Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights, for a compelling conversation on the...

Scotts Ridge Middle School named National School Library of the Year

CHICAGO – Scotts Ridge Middle School, located in Ridgefield, Connecticut, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2025 National School Library...

AASL Members Receive Jewish American Heritage Month Collection Development Grants

CHICAGO—Fifteen American Association of School Librarians (AASL) members have been awarded $500 collection development grants. Generously sponsored by The Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish...

AASL announces the second edition of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries

CHICAGO — Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, the forthcoming second edition of “ National School Library Standards for...

book cover for Growing Teen Engagement: Strategies to Captivate Secondary Learners (AASL Standards–Based Learning Series)

Teen-friendly school library spaces and services

CHICAGO —Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, “ Growing Teen Engagement: Strategies to Captivate Secondary Learners” is your essential...

Shannon Bailey receives AASL Frances Henne Award

CHICAGO – Shannon Bailey, school librarian at Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL)...

“Cranford Dixie Giants” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award

CHICAGO – The “Cranford Dixie Giants” project from Cranford High School in Cranford, New Jersey, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School...

AASL Opens Distinguished Service Award Nominations

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the esteemed AASL Distinguished Service Award. This...

AASL Announces Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Collection Development Grants

CHICAGO - Fifteen collection development grants are available to AASL members to create or expand their collection with content to provide context and content that...

Dawkins elected as 2026-2027 AASL President

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has announced the results of its 2025 election. Members elected April Dawkins, Assistant Professor for Information...

Jason Skiba receives AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award

CHICAGO – Jason Skiba, Principal at Allen Park High School, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator...

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...

Danielle Schwessinger receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant

CHICAGO – Danielle Schwessinger, school library media specialist at Elmer Wolfe Elementary School in Union Bridge, Maryland, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association...

AASL Announces Toor Scholarship Recipients

CHICAGO – Four school librarians from across the country have been awarded an American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Toor Scholarship for Strong Public-School Libraries...

Sylvia Knight Norton announces retirement as AASL Executive Director

CHICAGO- Sylvia Knight Norton, executive director of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced her...

Washington Library Association- School Library Division Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant

CHICAGO – The Washington Library Association (WLA) - School Library Division is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership...

Melissa Jacobs receives the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award

CHICAGO – Melissa Jacobs, Director of Library Services, New York City Public Schools, New York, is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School...

Massachusetts School Library Association receives AASL Chapter of the Year Award

CHICAGO – The Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Chapter of the Year Award...

AASL Opens Call for AASL Standards Committee Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is seeking an inspired and dedicated group of school library professionals to contribute to the AASL...

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest Editorial Board Members and Bloggers

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is calling for passionate and engaged school library professionals to contribute to Knowledge Quest (KQ), the...

AASL Opens Call For 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 School Library Research (SLR)...

ALA, AASL decry U.S. Defense Department censorship of schools and libraries on military installations

DoDEA school libraries provide a wealth of information and resources to their communities. By ordering the removal and suppression of learning materials and activities in its schools and libraries, the DoDEA is engaging in censorship...

Win $5,000 for your k-12 school library!

K-12 school librarians invited to apply for the annual $5,000 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award

CHICAGO — School librarians are invited to apply for a $5,000 annual award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Nominations for the...

Steve Hofstetter to Deliver Keynote Address at 2025 AASL National Conference

CHICAGO — Steve Hofstetter, celebrated comedian, acclaimed author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his impactful charity work within the comedy community, will headline the...

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians Members Featured in Documentary “The Librarians” to Walk the Red Carpet at Sundance Premiere

American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians member leaders Becky Calzada, Carolyn Foote, and Amanda Jones, will walk the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, for the premiere of “The Librarians"