AASL Opens Call for Standards Crosswalk and Position Statement Task Forces

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a dynamic group of school library practitioners, educators, and researchers to serve on highly impactful short-term task forces. You can apply using this application form.

"The National School Library Standards continues to serve as a foundation for empowering learners and guiding school library practice," said AASL President April Dawkins. "These task forces represent an exciting opportunity for our members to shape resources that strengthen connections between the AASL Standards and other national educational initiatives while also addressing emerging issues affecting school libraries. I encourage all AASL members with diverse perspectives and experiences to apply and help advance this important work."  AASL is accepting applications for the following groups.

National School Library Standards Crosswalk Task Forces:

• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Standards
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile
• National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards
• Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS-ELA)

These frameworks provide authentic connections to the AASL Standards Framework and offer opportunities to further communicate the instructional value and impact of school librarians. 

Position statement Task Forces:

• Position Statement on Educational Technology
• Position Statement on Confidentiality and School Library Records

The AASL Standards Committee identified these two areas based on the research that informed development of the second edition. The Educational Technology position statement would articulate the role of educational technology within effective school libraries and support implementation of the standards. The Confidentiality position statement would address student privacy, educational technology, and confidentiality and student data while emphasizing compliance with local, district, state, and federal laws and regulations.

 "The second edition of the National School Library Standards identified opportunities to continue to support school librarians through updated guidance and practical implementation resources," said the AASL Standards Committee Co-Chairs, Marie Langevin and Jennifer Sturge. "These task forces will build on that work by developing crosswalks that highlight the alignment between the AASL Standards Framework and multiple national frameworks. Additionally, the task forces will be creating position statements that address timely topics  in our profession. We look forward to welcoming volunteers who are enthusiastic about advancing school librarianship and helping ensure AASL resources reflect the expertise and needs of our community." 

Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on September 15, 2026.  Apply now!

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