ABC-CLIO grant recipient has new school librarians competing to be leaders

Contact: Melissa Jacobsen


AASL Communications Specialist


(312) 280-4381


mjacobsen@ala.org

NEWS


For Immediate Release


May 4, 2010

CHICAGO – The recipient of the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant, the Alabama Instructional Media Association (AIMA), has new school librarians competing to win a spot on its committees. AIMA's New Librarians Workshop gives 25 school librarians with three years or less of experience the chance to attend a free workshop designed especially for them.

AIMA created the New Librarians Workshop as a way to create future leaders in the school library field. The limited attendance allows for personal attention for each of the attendees. Participants get to attend the workshop, stay in a hotel for one night, attend the next day's AIMA summer conference and get a one-year membership in AIMA; all at no charge to them. The 25 attendees have the opportunity to network, gain professional development and become leaders.

AIMA only requires participants to attend the entire workshop and conference functions and serve on an AIMA committee during the next school year. AIMA gains 25 new member volunteers, and the school librarians gain the knowledge and support they need to become successful leaders in their school communities and professional careers.

"The AIMA New Librarians Workshop presents a solution to help integrate new librarians, the future leaders of the profession, into participating in local, state and national library organizations. The workshops encourage fellowship and fun, along with work, so that participants become close-knit," said Frances Roscello, chair of the ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant Subcommittee.

Established in 1986, the grant of up to $1,750 is given to school library associations that are AASL affiliates for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional or local levels. The grant is sponsored by ABC-CLIO.

The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, 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.