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) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited, the $1,250 award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with students, teachers, and administrators. The award will enable Bailey to attend an AASL National Conference for the first time.

“The committee was impressed with Shannon’s strong commitment to continuous learning and leadership in her school library community,” said committee chair Shannon Giles. “Her active involvement in her local school library association, recognition from her graduate school, and clear dedication to professional growth demonstrate her potential for further leadership development.”

Head Librarian, Karmeisha Showers-Pioch shared that Shannon “embodies what it means to be a librarian. She is constantly working to increase her knowledge, whether it is the latest in school librarianship or a research lesson on muscular disorders, Shannon’s quest to learn knows no bounds. With everything that she learns, every class that she takes, every conference or webinar that she attends, every article that she reads, she takes the knowledge that she’s acquired and applies it to make our library better for our entire school community.”

“Shannon’s passion is evident in her statement, ‘Being a school librarian energizes me in ways I never anticipated, and I like playing a role in igniting that spark for others,’” said AASL President Becky Calzada. "It's truly inspiring to see a newcomer to the profession not only revolutionizing her own school library with fresh ideas but also spearheading a regional conference for over 100 librarians. Her passion is contagious, and with her exceptional leadership, the future of school libraries is incredibly bright.”

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 Libraries Unlimited (formerly known as Libraries Unlimited) is the premier publisher of educational and professional resources for librarians and information services specialists. Our line encompasses prestigious library science textbooks, information science resources, professional handbooks, and monographs, as well as manuals for library educators, graduate students, and practicing librarians.