Susan D. Ballard receives AASL Distinguished Service Award

CHICAGO- Susan D. Ballard, past president of AASL and a retired district director of Library, Media, and Technology (Londonderry, NH), is the recipient of the 2025 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Distinguished Service Award. Sponsored by the AASL Distinguished Service Award Fund, the $1,000 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.

Ballard has chosen to forgo the monetary award and associated benefits in order to honor the “little lamps” that lit her path by paying it forward—extending AASL National Conference registration to five AASL Chapters.

• Arkansas Association of Instructional Media in memory of Devona Pendergrass
• Association of Illinois School Library Educators in memory of Donald C. Adcock
• Massachusetts School Library Association in memory of Dr. Carolyn A. Markuson
• New Jersey Association of School Librarians in memory of Dr. Ross J. Todd
• Vermont School Library Association in memory of Merlyn Miller

"With a remarkable body of practical publications, continuous involvement in standard-setting, and a career-long dedication to empowering school librarians through action research and advocacy, Susan Ballard exemplifies distinguished service,” said committee chair, Hilda Weisburg. “Her enduring influence—recognized through leadership, teaching, writing, and innovation—makes her a cornerstone of the school library community."

Immediate Past President, Becky Calzada, notes, “Susan Ballard’s career is a testament to visionary leadership and sustained service. Her work has played a crucial role in expanding the body of knowledge to improve the understanding of the impact school librarians have on learners and the greater school community. From her roles as AASL president, secretary, and committee member, to her tireless advocacy for school library standards and digital equity, she has shaped the school library profession through service, action, scholarship, and mentorship. Her legacy includes not only national influence but also deep personal investments—such as funding grants to support the implementation of AASL Standards—demonstrating her unmatched commitment to advancing the field.”

A past president of AASL and a retired district director of Library, Media, and Technology (Londonderry, NH), Susan guided her district to the AASL National School Library of the Year Award recognition. She has served as an adjunct professor and lecturer in various school librarian preparation programs and as a member of the Standards and Guidelines Editorial Board for the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Susan has published numerous articles in a variety of professional and scholarly journals and is the co-author (with Sara Kelly Johns) of Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior.

Past President Carl Harvey, in his nomination letter, commented that “I can think of few others who have committed their lives to the field and AASL as Susan Ballard has done. We are a better profession and a better association for counting her as one of our leaders. She deserves to be recognized for all her work and effort on behalf of our profession and AASL.”

“A tireless advocate, she has been a member of too many task forces, work groups, and committees focused on identifying, communicating, and strengthening school libraries to detail in this short letter adequately,” said Past President Gail Dickinson, in her nomination letter. “In short, wherever, whenever, and whatever the profession needed, she was there.”

“Susan Ballard is a mentor and friend,” said Past President Blanche Woolls in her nomination letter, “a superb association member and leader, and she has provided exemplary, consistent, as well as distinguished service. It would be difficult to think of any other member of AASL who is more deserving.”

The AASL award winners will be recognized at the 2025 AASL National Conference, which will be held October 16-18 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.