American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

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).

AASL President’s Program Brings Together “Freedom to Read Ambassadors”

CHICAGO – Kathy Lester, AASL President, will convene a panel of Freedom to Read Ambassadors for a conversation on why it is important for all learners to have access to a wide variety of books and information.

Calzada Elected 2024-2025 AASL President

CHICAGO – Becky Calzada, Library Services Coordinator in the Leander Independent School District (ISD) based in Leander, Texas, has been elected the 2023-2024 president-elect of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). She will serve as the AASL President during the 2024-2025 term.

Upon learning the outcome of the election, Calzada provided the following statement:

Travel Grants Available for First-Time AASL National Conference Attendees

CHICAGO — Thirty travel grants are available to school library professionals wishing to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) National Conference for the first time. The $750 grants for first-time attendees of the conference are sponsored by Bound to Stay Bound Books. Those interested in applying can access the application at www.ala.org/aasl/conferences/aasl23/btsb.  The deadline for applications is April 24, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

AASL seeks reviewers for 2023 National Conference

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is currently accepting applications for volunteers to participate in a blind review and scoring of proposals for the 2023 AASL National Conference to be held October 19-21 in Tampa, FL. To apply, please use the application form located at www.ala.org/aasl/national/reviewer. The deadline for reviewer applications is Sat., April 15, 2023.

“Global Human Rights Research Project” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice

CHICAGO – The “Global Human Rights Research Project” from Prospect Sierra School in El Cerrito, California, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Random House, the Roald Dahl Award recognizes collaboration between school librarians and teachers in the instruction of social justice using school library resources.

Molly Dettmann receives AASL Frances Henne Award

CHICAGO – Molly Dettmann, teacher librarian at Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma, is the recipient of the 2023 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Libraries Unlimited, the $1,250 award recognizes a school librarian with five years or less experience who demonstrates leadership qualities with students, teachers, and administrators. The award will enable Dettmann to attend an AASL National Conference for the first time.