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, Library, and Research Sciences in the School of Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as the 2025-2026 President-Elect. She will serve as the AASL President during the 2026-2027 term and immediate Past President in 2027-2028.

“Many thanks to all of our members who exercised their right to vote in the recent ALA and AASL elections,” said Dawkins. “I am honored to assume the role of the next president-elect of the American Association of School Librarians. Although the current climate is challenging, I will continue to support school librarians as they advocate for the right to read and access information. Together, we will champion the power of school libraries, advocate for equitable access to resources, and empower students and educators through literacy and lifelong learning. I look forward to collaborating with our dedicated member leaders, AASL Chapters, AASL Board, and staff to shape the future of school libraries nationwide”.

Currently serving on the AASL Board of Directors as a Director-At-Large, Dawkins has written for AASL's Knowledge Quest and School Library Research, and is the editor of Intellectual Freedom Issues in School Libraries. She has served on a variety of AASL, ALA, and YALSA committees including the AASL CAEP Coordinating Committee, the School Library Research Editorial Board, the 2020 Margaret A. Edwards Award Committee, and the Selection & Reconsideration Toolkit Revision Committee. Dawkins is also a past president of the North Carolina School Library Media Association.

Also elected to the AASL Board of Directors are Sue Kowalski as Division Councilor, Stacey Nunn as Director-At-Large, and Melissa Corey as Director-At-Large. A complete list of newly elected positions may be found on the AASL website.

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