AASL commends programs aligned with association’s values and mission

CHICAGO — Moving on recommendations made by its Affiliate Assembly, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has formally commended 11 programs based on their support of the school librarian profession. The following commended programs align with AASL’s learning standards and program guidelines as well as the principles expressed in AASL mission and value statements:

Kansas Summer Institute: Nominated by the Kansas Association of School Librarians for their work in developing leaders in the school library community.

Oklahoma Teaching with Primary Sources Project: Nominated by the Oklahoma School Librarians for their work in utilizing primary sources to build inquiry-based learning activities.

Southern Kentucky Book Fest: Nominated by the Kentucky School Media Association for their work in fostering a love of reading to the students of Kentucky.

Leap into Reading with Read-it!: Nominated by the Minnesota Educational Media Organization for their work in fostering a love of reading to the students of Minnesota.

TALL Texans Leadership Development Institute: Nominated by the Texas Association of School Librarians for their work in fostering leadership capabilities in school librarians in Texas.

Reading Rocks in Richland One: Nominated by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians for their work in fostering a love of reading to the students of South Carolina.

Radical Readers Pilot Program – Read Across Maryland: Nominated by the Maryland Association of School Librarians for their work in fostering a love of reading to the students of Maryland.

Team Read & Hit A Homerun Reading Program presented by the Bowie Baysox Minor League Baseball Team, Keys for Reading Program presented by the Frederick Keys Minor League Baseball Team, Hit the Books Reading Program presented by the Delmarva Shorebirds Minor League Baseball Team and Hagerstown Suns Reading Challenge presented by the Hagerstown Suns Minor League Baseball Team: Nominated by the Maryland Association of School Librarians for their work in fostering a love of reading to the students of Maryland.

"Once again, our affiliate organizations have brought extraordinary programs that align with our mission and principles to the attention of the AASL Board of Directors," said Susan Ballard, AASL president. "It is a privilege for us to be able to have this opportunity to express our admiration and appreciation to them for their outstanding work."

The Affiliate Assembly provides a channel of communication for reporting concerns of the affiliated organizations and their membership to the AASL Board of Directors; facilitates discussion of activities and concerns of AASL as reported by the AASL president, executive director and Board of Directors; and reports the actions of AASL to the affiliates. Affiliates nominate outstanding programs and events for commendations which are then reviewed and approved by the AASL Board of Directors. More information on the Affiliate Assembly can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/affiliates.

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.