American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

Kordeliski Elected 2025-2026 AASL President

CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has announced the results of its 2024 election. Members elected Amanda Kordeliski, Director of Libraries and Instructional Technology for Norman Public Schools in Oklahoma, as the 2024-2025 President-Elect. She will serve as the AASL President during the 2025-2026 term and immediate Past President in 2026-2027.

Gabriela Gualano receives AASL Frances Henne Award

CHICAGO – Gabriela Gualano, teacher librarian at Paul Revere Middle School in Los Angeles, California, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Frances Henne Award. Sponsored by Bloomsbury 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 Gualano to attend an AASL National Conference for the first time.

“The First Amendment and the Freedom to Read” receives AASL Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award

CHICAGO – “The First Amendment and the Freedom to Read” project from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, New York, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Roald Dahl's Miss Honey Social Justice Award. Sponsored by Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House, the Roald Dahl Award recognizes collaboration between school librarians and teachers in the instruction of social justice using school library resources.

Wendy Gassaway receives AASL Innovative Reading Grant

CHICAGO – Wendy Gassaway, school librarian at Alder Elementary School in Portland, Oregon, is the recipient of the 2024 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.

Cathi Fuhrman receives the AASL Intellectual Freedom Award

CHICAGO – Cathi Fuhrman, a school librarian at State College Area High School, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Intellectual Freedom Award. Established in 1982 and sponsored by ProQuest, the award is given for upholding the principles of intellectual freedom as set forth by AASL and ALA.

Washington Library Association- School Library Division Awarded AASL ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant

CHICAGO – The Washington Library Association (WLA) - School Library Division is the recipient of the 2024 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.

Rosetta G. Le receives AASL Distinguished School Administrator Award

CHICAGO – Rosetta G. Le, Principal at Suncrest Elementary School, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator Award. Sponsored by ProQuest, part of Clarivate, the $2,000 award recognizes and honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of exemplary school libraries and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.

AASL Opens Call For 2025 AASL National Conference Committee Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks enthusiastic and profession-focused school librarians to serve on the 2025 AASL National Conference Committee. The conference, taking place October 16-18, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri, is the only national conference dedicated solely to the needs of school librarians and their roles as educational leaders. AASL members may apply at www.ala.org/aasl/app

AASL Opens Call For Knowledge Quest and School Library Research Editorial Board Members

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) seeks a dynamic group of school library professionals to serve on the Knowledge Quest (KQ) and School Library Research (SLR) Editorial Boards. These publications move the profession forward by highlighting school library best practices and emergent research in the field. For more information and the application, visit www.ala.org/aasl/app.

AASL STEM Special Event Grants Awarded

CHICAGO – Five STEM Special Event Grants have been awarded by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). Supported by the Danaher Foundation, the STEM Special Event Grant Program supports a special event to increase student engagement by providing direct assistance funding to middle or high school libraries for special short-term projects or events that would engage students to promote STEM education and student interest in a career in the STEM field. Each recipient will receive a $3,000 grant to fund their project or event.