AASL votes to adopt the professional title school librarian

Contact: Stephanie Book


AASL Manager, Communications


(312) 280-4389


sbook@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release,


January 16, 2010

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Board of Directors voted at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, to officially adopt for the profession the title school librarian.

A recent AASL survey indicated confusion, misperceptions, and inconsistencies about various job titles in the school librarian profession. The AASL Affiliate Assembly requested that the AASL Board of Directors choose a title for its professionals that is clear to other educators, administrators, and the public, and that presents a common nomenclature for all publications and advocacy efforts.

AASL leadership reviewed the data and identified the advantages and disadvantages of the various titles. After a focused and extensive discussion, the AASL Board of Directors voted to adopt school librarian as the title which reflects the roles of the 21st-century school library professional as a leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator.

As the overarching strategic goal of AASL is to achieve universal recognition of school librarians as indispensable educational leaders, AASL will work to advance and promote the title school librarian, and will open dialog concerning stakeholders’ needs, wants, and preferences; the current realities and evolving dynamics of the professional environment; the capacity and strategic position of the association; and the ethical implications relevant to this decision.

The American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library 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 field.