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 Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local level.

WLA – School Library Division’s program “Olympic Library Leadership Incubator (OLLI)” will grow leadership among their state chapter members. By enabling participants to step into leadership positions both within the library world and communities, their program will create a strong group of school library advocates who understand how to leverage their relationships and programs to develop school library supporters within their communities and across the state.

“This will be the second year WLA-SLD will be able to offer their ‘Olympic Library Leadership Incubator,’ and the committee was very impressed with the success of the first event and reflective changes for year two,” said Laura Ward, award committee chair. “The program has already seen additions to the Chapter leadership as well as participants taking a more active role in providing professional development in districts and at the state level. The changes WLA-SLD plans to make for the second iteration will build upon an already strong program and advance school librarian leadership throughout the state and Chapter.”

The ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant will enable WLA- School Library Division to expand the program to combine both virtual and in-person sessions to:

• Coach participants in creating professional development presentations, with time for hands-on preparation of materials and programs to elevate the profile of school librarians and libraries.
• Provide foundational context for Washington’s legislative process and the state's current realities of public school funding and school libraries.
• Allow the School Library Division to form task forces with OLLI participants to address topics like educating school administrators, raising the profile of school libraries, and advocating with state officials for strong K-12 libraries in Washington.

In addition, optional monthly Zoom meetings will be offered to celebrate achievements, exchange innovative ideas, and tackle challenges together. These gatherings are especially valuable in connecting school librarians in remote or rural areas, offering a vibrant network to the larger school library community.

“Building on previous proven success while continuing to strive for more highlights the immense value of this grant and the dedication of our AASL Chapter leaders,” said AASL President Becky Calzada. “WLA-SLD is intentionally growing school librarians throughout Washington as leaders in their schools, districts, chapter, and state. By raising the profile of school librarians, empowering them to lead, and fostering a strong support network to advocate for school librarian impact, this program is truly hitting all the marks. Congratulations to the Washington Library Association–School Library Division, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to this vital work.”

The AASL award winners will be recognized during the 2025 AASL National Conference taking place October 16-19 in St. Louis, Missouri.

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

Bloomsbury/ABC-CLIO is a leading publisher of reference and nonfiction for students, educators, and researchers striving at all levels of academic inquiry. Whether it be primary documents, historical reference, or audiovisual resources, we are committed to enhancing the research experience with engaging and dynamic digital resources of the highest quality.