For immediate release | April 7, 2026
Johnson elected as 2027-2028 AASL President
CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has announced the results of its 2026 election. Members elected Barbara Johnson, Instructional Technology Coordinator and Certified School Librarian for Colchester Public Schools (CT), as the 2026-2027 President-Elect. She will serve as the AASL President during the 2027-2028 term and as the Immediate Past President during the 2028-2029 term.
"I am both profoundly grateful and humbled by the election results, which entrust me with helping to guide the American Association of School Librarians into its next chapter,” said Johnson. “I am excited to collaborate with the new Executive Director and the AASL Board to address our members' needs and challenges we face. I will continue to champion on behalf of certified school librarians and their invaluable role, striving to ensure all stakeholders fully recognize the incredible worth and work we bring to our school districts."
Currently serving on the AASL Chapters Coordinating Team and the School Library Events Promotion Committee, Johnson is a Past Chair of the AASL Chapters and has served on the AASL Board of Directors from 2023-2025. She is also a past president of the Connecticut Association of School Librarians and an MLIS graduate from Mansfield University. Barbara has served on a variety of committees, including AASL’s Best Digital Tools for Teaching and Learning, Connecticut’s Commission for Educational Technology, and CASL’s Conference Planning Committee.
Also elected to the AASL Secretary/Treasurer, Tom Bober, Board of Directors, Director-At-Large, Valerie Byrd Fort, and Director-At-Large, Chapters, Shannon Gile. The AASL Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS) Chair-elect is Carolyn Vibbert, AASL Independent School Section (ISS) Chair-elect Stacy Brown, and Secretary Alisa Brandt, and AASL Supervisors Section (SPVS) Chair-elect is Kaycie Hoffman Blaylock. The 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.
