Travel Grants Available for First-Time AASL National Conference Attendees

CHICAGO — Thirty travel grants are available to school library professionals wishing to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference for the first time. The $750 grants for first-time attendees of the conference are sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books. Those interested in applying can access the application at https://www.ala.org/aasl/awards/btsb. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.

“The AASL National Conference is an unparalleled experience!” said AASL President Becky Calzada. “This year, more than ever, attendees will come together to learn, share, and grow—lifting each other up with support and empowerment. We are especially grateful to Bound to Stay Bound Books (BTSB), whose dedication to school librarians has been making a difference since 1997 by supporting first-time attendees at the AASL National Conference with this generous opportunity. Their unwavering commitment to school librarians is truly shaping the future of our profession—thank you, BTSB!”

The 2025 AASL National Conference is the only national conference dedicated solely to school librarians' role in PreK-12 education. The event will feature daily keynotes, over 140 concurrent sessions, author panels, research sessions, more than 100 exhibitors, the best practice IdeaLab, poster presentations, author signings, and endless networking opportunities. Content provided at the conference will be rooted in AASL's National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Full details about the 2025 national conference can be found at national.aasl.org.

“At Bound to Stay Bound, we recognize the value of the professional school librarian in our schools and take pride in being able to offer these grants to help further their knowledge and give them an opportunity to share their experiences with other professionals,” said Bob Sibert of Bound to Stay Bound Books.

For over 100 years Bound to Stay Bound Books, www.btsb.com, has supplied children’s and young adult library books, both fiction and nonfiction, to schools and public libraries. It provides books that stand the test of time in both content and durability and services exceeding your expectations.

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

The 2025 AASL National Conference is taking place October 16-19 in St. Louis, Missouri. Visit national.aasl.org for more information.