AASL to sponsor Spectrum scholars at AASL National Conference
Contact: Melissa Jacobsen
AASL Communications Specialist
(312) 280-4381
mjacobsen@ala.org
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2009
CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will sponsor the attendance of up to four Spectrum scholars at its national conference. The AASL 14th National Conference & Exhibition will be held Nov. 5-8 in Charlotte, N.C. The theme is "Rev up learning @ your library." More information is available at
www.ala.org/aasl/charlotte.
AASL will select four current Spectrum scholars who are pursuing a library degree concentrating in school library media or are working as school library media specialists. AASL will provide each of the selected Spectrum Scholars with complimentary registration to the national conference and a $750 travel stipend to be applied to travel and housing expenses. Spectrum Scholars will be paired with a mentor for the duration of the conference and will receive special recognition at key events.
Applicants must show demonstrated interest in school librarianship through coursework and/or professional experience, be an AASL member and Spectrum scholar and be a first-time attendee at an AASL conference. Those who wish to apply can find the criteria and application guidelines at
www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/aasl/conferencesandevents/national/charlotte2009/forattendees/attendeereg/spectrumapp.cfm. Applications are due on Sept. 14, 2009 and winners will be announced on Sept. 23, 2009.
The travel stipend is generously provided by Capstone, a top choice among students, librarians and teachers for nonfiction and fiction children’s books and digital products. Capstone imprints include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books and Stone Arch Books.
"We know how important library professionals are in their school and to the success of their students. We are proud to partner with AASL to offer scholarships to deserving graduate students, helping provide opportunities for learning and professional development for our future librarians," said Tom Ahern, Capstone CEO.
The Spectrum Scholarship Program's major drive is to recruit applicants and award scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students for graduate programs in library and information studies. Its mission is improving service at the local level through the development of a representative workforce that reflects the communities served by all libraries in the new millennium. Since 1997, ALA has awarded more than 415 Spectrum scholarships. For more information on Spectrum, visit
http://www.ala.org/spectrum.
The AASL 14th National Conference & Exhibition, "Rev up learning @ your library," is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school library media specialists and their roles as educational leaders. The AASL National Conference will feature 10 preconferences, 115 concurrent sessions, more than 200 exhibiting companies, educational and school tours, a storytelling festival and special appearances by award-winning authors. For more information on AASL's 14th National Conference & Exhibition, visit
www.ala.org/aasl/charlotte.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.
