AASL continues community involvement in National Standards implementation

For Immediate Release
Tue, 04/23/2019

Contact:

Jennifer Habley

Manager, Web Communications

American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

312-280-4383

jhabley@ala.org

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has launched two online surveys to gather insight from a variety of school library professionals and stakeholders regarding its 2018 "National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries." Using these surveys, AASL seeks to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the standards and related implementation tools. Survey links and more information can be found at standards.aasl.org/research.

"Calling all school librarians! Please help inform your association's work on all things standards," said AASL President Kathryn Lewis. "AASL needs to know what works, what you value, what needs tweaking, and what are the next steps. Lend your expertise to help us reflect, refine, redefine, reimagine and celebrate your 'National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries!' The survey window is April 23rd through May 8th. Learner-ready school librarians please share by completing the survey linked on the standards portal."

To conduct this research, two online surveys will be shared widely. Both will be distributed via email and AASL communication channels on Tuesday, April 23. The first survey will focus on feedback from within the profession. School librarians are encouraged to share the survey link with colleagues in order to collect a comprehensive assessment on whether AASL Standards reflect practice, align with the goals of stakeholders, and have increased understanding of school librarian job roles.

A link to a second survey specifically tailored for stakeholders will also be shared with the school library community on April 23. School librarians are asked to share the stakeholder survey link with their building-level and district administrators, classroom and content-area educators, and other instructional collaborators.

Surveys will be open through Wednesday, May 8. The AASL Board of Directors and AASL Standards Committee will use the finding to help inform financial and resource distribution to support those activities most needed and impactful to advance the role of the school librarian and the National School Library Standards.

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