Ann M. Martin receives AASL Distinguished Service Award for leadership in the profession and association

CHICAGO – Ann M. Martin, retired educational specialist of Henrico County Schools and a past president of AASL, is the recipient of the 2015 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Distinguished Service Award. Sponsored by Baker and Taylor, the $3,000 award recognizes an individual member of the library profession who has, over a significant period of time, made an outstanding national contribution to school librarianship and school library development.

In their application for Martin, AASL Past-Presidents Carl Harvey and Gail Dickinson highlighted Martin’s numerous contributions as a school librarian “working in the trenches” and as an AASL and ALA leader volunteer. As president and past president, Martin led the association through the foundation of new learning standards and program guidelines, spearheaded the leadership development committee and served on ALA’s budget analysis and review committee. While doing so, she also opened lines of communication, encouraged new leaders and offered guidance whenever her talents could be utilized.

Martin has also written countless articles and books for school librarians, including an “Award-Winning School Library Program” and “Empowering Leadership: Developing Behaviors for Success.” As an educational specialist and school librarian in Henrico, Virginia, her award winning programs served as models for school libraries all over the country.

“It is only natural that Ann Martin receive the 2015 AASL Distinguished Service Award,” said Rocco Staino, award committee chair. “Ann has had a long distinguished career in school librarianship. She led the Henrico County School District and under her leadership she brought them the AASL National School Library Program of the Year award. As AASL president, Ann also led the association, so this award is the icing on the cake.”

The AASL award winners will be honored at the AASL Awards Ceremony during the 2015 ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. The ceremony will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27. All are welcome to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers during this recognition event taking place prior to the AASL President’s Program.

The American Association of School Librarians www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.