AASL’s new resource for strengthening leadership style and skills

CHICAGO — Guiding school librarians to new levels of leadership, “Leadership: Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, Communication, and Relationship Building,” published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and ALA Editions, breaks down the National School Library Standards into authentic, easily accessible components school librarians can apply to develop their leadership style and skills. Authors Ann M. Martin and Kathleen Riopelle Roberts define and explain how the AASL Standards advance leadership, helping readers recognize the leadership behaviors that connect school libraries to learner growth. Strategies, interactive tools, and best practices support readers’ further evolution into reflective leaders who spearhead library initiatives instead of being receivers of decisions. This book’s practical approach includes:

• exploration of key leadership dispositions and concepts that are addressed through the Domain and Shared Foundations that best exemplify the skills addressed;
• real-life examples with which school librarians can identify and visualize taking theory from the abstract to authentic application in their own settings; and
• reflective questions, self-assessment tools, and breakthrough skills allowing readers to deepen learning and develop powerful takeaways.

The authors are scheduled to lead a preconference workshop at the 2019 AASL National Conference, November 14–16 in Louisville, KY. Martin most recently worked as the Educational Specialist for the Library Services Department in Henrico, Virginia. A mentor in the Lilead Fellows Project, she has received many awards including the 2011 AASL National School Library of the Year for the district. She is a Past President of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and also author of the book “Empowering Leadership: Developing Behaviors for Success.” Roberts is the School Librarian at Rivers Edge in Henrico County, Virginia. Named an ALA Emerging Leader, she was a member of AASL Standards and Guidelines Editorial Board, helping create the National School Library Standards, and presented a webinar to support the book. She was selected as a candidate on the Fulbright Specialist Roster from December 2018-2021.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association, empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

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