American Association of School Librarians

AASL’s Community of Scholars Presents Review of Research in School Library Research Journal

CHICAGO – Newly published research from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR) presents a study undertaken by AASL’s Community of Scholars to pilot an annual aggregation and systematic review of research related to school librarian practice. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr.

Culturally responsive school libraries

CHICAGO — School librarians have always connected learners’ life experiences, cultures, and communities to materials, projects, and processes. As schools look to make these connections within the classroom and to the curriculum, school librarians are perfectly poised to lead and model meaningful steps toward a culturally responsive mindset.

AASL’s exploration of the Shared Foundations continues with Engage

CHICAGO — Published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, “Engage” is both anchor and sail in the Shared Foundations, providing a culmination of knowledge and a starting point for new thinking that promotes learners’ dynamic, spiral, and cyclical journey with AASL’s National School Library Standards. Written by Kathryn Roots Lewis and Marcia A.

AASL Announces 2023 Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has released its annual list of Best Digital Tools for Teaching & Learning. The Best Digital Tools provide opportunities for school librarians to enhance learning, engage learners, and collaborate with educators. The list can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/best.

AASL opens call for Poster and IdeaLab Proposals

CHICAGO – AASL invites proposals for Poster and IdeaLab Presentations, to be presented Thursday, October 19, 2023, in Tampa, Florida. Complete proposals must be submitted by Thurs., July 6, 2023. To submit a proposal, visit national.aasl.org.

AASL Opens Call for 2023-2025 AASL Standards Committee Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is seeking school librarians to serve on the AASL Standards Committee with the charge of reviewing and evaluating the supporting content and material of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Visit www.ala.org/aasl/about/standardscommittee to apply.

2023 AASL Research Grants Awarded

CHICAGO – Three research papers have been awarded the 2023 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Research Grants by the Educators of School Librarians Section (ESLS) of AASL. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the grants recognize excellence in manuscripts addressing a persistent and recurring challenge in the field of school librarianship. Each grant consists of a $350 award and the researchers will present their papers at the 2023 AASL National Conference in Tampa, Florida.

Recipients of the 2023 AASL Research Grants are:

West Maple Elementary School named National School Library of the Year

CHICAGO – West Maple Elementary School, located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is the recipient of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) 2023 National School Library of the Year (NSLY) Award. Sponsored by Follett, the NSLY Award annually honors a school library that exemplifies the implementation of AASL's National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. West Maple Elementary will receive a crystal obelisk – the symbol of school library excellence – and $10,000 toward its school libraries.

ARTivist Nikkolas Smith to open AASL National Conference

CHICAGO – Nikkolas Smith, ARTivist, Concept artist, Children's Books Author, and Film Illustrator, will keynote the opening general session of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference. The conference will be held Oct. 19-21, in Tampa, Florida. Full conference details can be found at national.aasl.org.

ALA, AASL praise library legislation to expand access for students nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the American Library Association (ALA) and its division, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), welcomed the bicameral introduction of the Right to Read Act by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03).