For immediate release | September 10, 2010

AASL pre-Midwinter institute hones school librarians' leadership skills

CHICAGO – School librarians looking to strengthen their leadership skills are encouraged to attend the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) pre-Midwinter Institute, Collaborative Leadership. The full-day institute will be facilitated by Steven Baule, PhD., EdD. Online registration for this institute is now open.

Collaborative Leadership will increase participants' understanding of leadership components, help them identify their own personal and professional leadership skills and show them how to apply leadership strategies within their work. After attending the institute, participants will be prepared to:


  • Plan and prioritize personal and professional goals
  • Acquire strategies in leadership and collaboration
  • Articulate the importance of the school library program to administrators
  • Recognize the challenges that affect the school library profession
  • Create an action plan to be a successful leader
Steven M. Baule is presently the superintendent of North Boone School District in Poplar Grove, Ill. Prior to becoming a superintendent, Dr. Baule was a district administrator, a high school administrator, a middle school librarian and a classroom teacher. Dr. Baule has also served as an adjunct faculty member in educational administration, instructional technology and library and information science programs.
He has led a number of programs which have received national recognition, including the New Trier library program, which was recognized as the National School Library Program of the Year (NSLPY) in 2000. He was recognized as one of 10 Tech Savvy Superintendents by eSchool News in 2009.
Dr. Baule holds doctorates in educational leadership and supervision from Loyola University of Chicago and in instructional technology from Northern Illinois University. He also holds a master’s degree in library science from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s in history from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa. He has written several texts on educational technology and school library topics.
Prices for the institute are AASL member: $189; AASL retired member: $179, AASL student member: $159; ALA member: $229; and nonmember: $279. To register for the AASL pre-Midwinter Institute, visit www.ala.org/midwinter. Those that plan to attend both the Midwinter Meetings and Annual Conference in 2011 are encouraged to take advantage of ALA's bundled registration pricing before the Sept. 30 deadline.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library 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 field.

Contact:

Melissa Jacobsen