Scholastic Book Fairs sponsors AASL Collaborative School Library Award

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is pleased to announce Scholastic Book Fairs as the new sponsor of the AASL Collaborative School Library Award. The award recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school librarians and educators. Award recipients receive $2,500 and are honored at the AASL Awards Ceremony.

“Scholastic Book Fairs shares AASL’s goal of fostering lifelong learning to prepare students to meet 21st century challenges,” said Alan Boyko, president of Scholastic Book Fairs. “We are delighted to sponsor this award and support the collaborative efforts of librarians and educators who are using their library’s resources in innovative ways to help students develop the literacy skills they need to succeed in school and in life.”

The Collaborative School Library Award encourages school librarians to collaborate with other educators in meeting goals outlined in AASL’s “National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians and School Libraries” through joint planning of a program, unit or event in support of the curriculum and using school library resources. Projects are evaluated for the degree of joint effort, use of school library resources, and alignment with the AASL Standards.

“School librarians create and maintain learning environments that bring people together,” said Mary Keeling, AASL President. “They elicit deep and meaningful collaborative conversations among learners and educators as they work toward common goals. The Collaborative School Library Award showcases terrific examples of collaborative partnerships, and I am so very pleased that Scholastic Book Fairs is partnering with AASL to offer this important award. Their sponsorship of this award demonstrates their commitment to school librarians and the effective learning environments they create.”

Applications are currently open for the Collaborative School Library Award at www.ala.org/aasl/awards.

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