Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

CHICAGO – Karen Snay, district media specialist at South Elementary School in St. Peter, Minnesota, is the recipient of the 2021 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Innovative Reading Grant. Sponsored by Capstone, the $2,500 grant supports the planning and implementation of a unique and innovative program for children that motivates and encourages reading, especially with struggling readers.

CHICAGO – The Oklahoma School Librarians, a division of the Oklahoma Library Association (OKSL), is the recipient of the 2021 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant. Sponsored by ABC-CLIO, the $1,750 grant is given to an AASL Chapter for planning and implementing leadership programs at the state, regional, or local level.

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 national.aasl.org/btsb. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. Central time on Fri., April 16, 2021. Late applications will not be considered.

CHICAGO – Through a special offering of its Inspire Collection Development Grant, made possible through the generous support of Marina “Marney” Welmers, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will offer a second round of grants to specifically address collection loss and remote access requirements due to COVID-19 school closures. The grants are intended to help meet the needs of school libraries making the return to in-person learning. Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on March 26, 2021.