AASL National School Library Media Program of the Year Award

[Mike Eisenberg <mike@ericir.syr.edu>]

Alert to all library media specialists:

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AASL extends deadline for the 1995 National School Library Media Program
of the Year Award.

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  The American Association of the School Librarians (AASL) has extended
the deadline for the 1995 National School Library Media Program of the
Year Award until March 31, 1995.

  The 30-year old award recognized exemplary library programs in
individual schools, school districts with an enrollment of 9,999 or less
and school districts with an enrollment of 10,000 or more.  The
competition, open to public and non-public schools, requires that
applicants demonstrate how their library media programs ensure that
innovation in outstanding library media programs ensure that both
students and staff are effective users of ideas and information.

  Follett Library Resources is the new sponsor of the award and has
increased the cash prize from $7,500 to $9,000.  The winner in each of
three categories will receive $3,000.

  To request an application for the National School Library Media Program
of the Year Award, contact Marie-Louise Settem at 800-545-2433, ext:
4381.  The application questions are included with the message.  However,
all entrants must apply on forms provided by the American Association of
School Librarians.

  AASL is a division of the American Library Association.


                American Association of School Librarians
                         50 East Huron Street
                        Chicago, IL 60611-2795


National School Library Media Program of the Year Award
Programs That Meet the Challenges as stated in
INFORMATION POWER: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs

                        1995 Application Form for
(DEADLINE: Applications must be received in the AASL Office by March 31,
1995)

Name of District:________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Category of Application:
___ Single School (include single schools that exist as a school district)
    Grade level(s) ___   Enrollment ___  Public ___  Independent ___

___ Small School District (enrollment less that 9,999)
    Grade level(s) ___   Enrollment ___  Public ___  Independent ___

___ Large School District (enrollment equal or greater than 10,000 students)
    Grade level(s) ___   Enrollment ___  Public ___  Independent ___


DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM AS OF FALL TERM 1994:

1.  MISSION STATEMENT: 15 points (Limit narrative to two typewritten
    pages.  Do not exceed.)
Describe program goals and objectives, including long-range plans for
school library media program development.  Show how the program reflects
the philosophy, general goals  of the local school or school district,
and the community served.  Include ways objectives have been addressed,
goals already achieved, and how program is measured.  You may attach
reports of formal evaluations or accreditation studies to document
program growth.

2.  IMPLEMENTING THE MISSION; 10 points (Limit narrative to one
    typewritten page.  Do not exceed.)
Document the planning process (involving administrators, teachers,
parents, students) that shapes the program to meet local needs.  Include
ways teachers and library media specialists plan together for
instructional activities and how effective use of the information by
students and teachers is ensured.  Address the library media specialists'
involvement in curriculum planning.

3.  MEETING THE CHALLENGES: 8 points (Limit one typewritten page per
    challenge.  Do not exceed.)
A number of challenges face library media personnel in districts and
schools as they seek to fulfill program goals and objectives.  Describe
how each of these challenges is being met in your district.

Challenge 1:  Providing intellectual and physical access to information
and ideas for a diverse population whose needs are changing rapidly.
(Address access to materials, flexible scheduling, sequential library
media skills program, partnerships with teachers/administrators,
integration of library program/skills in the curriculum, physical layouts
of centers to street access, renovation.)

Challenge II:  Ensuring equity and freedom of access to information and
ideas, unimpeded by social, cultural, economic, geographic, or technologic
constraints.  (Address selection policy, policy for challenged materials,
copyright policy, budget preparation process for materials and equipment
to meet user needs.)

Challenge III:  Promoting literacy and the enjoyment of reading, viewing,
and listening for young people at all ages and stages of development.
(Address ways literacy is promoted, critical listening/viewing skills
development, preview and review procedures, collection development
including staff, student and parental involvement.)

Challenge IV:  Providing leadership and expertise in the use of
information and instructional technologies.  (Address staff development
and professional growth activities for media professionals and staff in
new technologies, production facilities and use by students, automated
media center management programs utilized, and other ways technology
plays a role in the program.)

Challenge V:  Participating in networks that enhance access to resources
located outside the schools.  (Address partnerships with community
agencies, businesses, other libraries.)


4.  LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER PERSONNEL: 10 points (Limit to one typewritten
    page.  Do not exceed.)
Describe how library media center personnel function as information
specialists, teachers, and instructional consultants; support personnel
available; certification; opportunities for professional growth.

5.  DISTRICT, INTERMEDIATE, AND REGIONAL SERVICES: 5 points  (Limit one
    typewritten page. Do not exceed.)
Check the following services available in your district and describe.

___ Central Office administration and/or supervision
___ Equipment and materials services   ___ Professional Library
___ In-service education   ___ Review and evaluation of materials
___ Film/video library     ___ Ordering and processing
___ Media production and graphics service
___ Broadcast technology:
    ___ Cable  ___ Satellite  ___ Electronic classroom  ___ Microwave
    ___ Fiber Optics

___ Television studio
    ___ Building level   ___ District level

___ Automated management
    ___ Acquisition      ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Circulation      ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Routing          ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Inventory        ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Cataloging       ___ School      ___ District

___ Automated Materials Access
    ___ Databases        ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Catalog          ___ School      ___ District
    ___ Networks         ___ School      ___ District


SCHOOL & COMMUNITY PROFILE AS OF FALL TERM, 1994

1.  Describe your school(s) and the community served. (Limited on-half page.)
2.  Using the form below, provide the following information:  10 points
___________________________________________________________________________
                /       /               LIBRARY MEDIA PERSONNEL
                /Number /    Library Media Specialist  /  Supportive/clerical
                /  of   / full  /  half  / less than   /full/ half/ less than
Grade Levels    /Schools/ time  /  time  / half time   /time/ time/ half time
_____________________________________________________________________________

Elementary      /       /       /        /             /    /     /
Middle-Junior   /       /       /        /             /    /     /
Secondary       /       /       /        /             /    /     /
Other (technical/       /       /        /             /    /     /
special, etc.)  /       /       /        /             /    /     /

Totals          /       /       /        /             /    /     /


Ratio of school/site library media professionals to school/district
enrollment _____.

Ratio of Library support staff to school/district enrollment _____.

Number of professional district-level library media staff _____.  Please
list titles and state whether person in full-time, half-time, or less
than half-time.

Number of district-level library media support staff ______.  Please list
titles and state whether person is full-time, half-time, or less than
half-time.

Give total expenditures per pupil of education (EXCLUDE CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES).  For current year use budget figures I.  (If figures
cannot be given as requested, explain variation by adding footnote.)

Current Year (1994-95)   Past Year (1993-94)   Previous Year (1992-93)
$____________________    $________________     $_____________________


Give expenditures per pupil for library media materials (books,
audiovisual and computer software, periodicals); include local, state and
federal funds.  Do not include funds for textbooks, library supplies, or
equipment.  For current year use amount budgeted.

                Current Year    Past Year       Previous Year
                (1994-95)       (1993-94)       (1992-93)
Local funds:    $__________     $__________     $____________
State funds:     __________      __________      ____________
Federal funds:   __________      __________      ____________
Endowments/
  other:         __________      __________      ____________

Total:          $__________     $__________     $____________

For school/district program, give ratio of items of library media
materials to students enrollment: ______

Indicate the number of networked databases: _________

Do you have on-line access to additional resources?  ___ Yes   ___ No
If yes, describe briefly. (Limit: one-half page.)


3. SCHOOL HOlDAYS
   Please list all holidays that your school will honor between February
   15 - April 15.


4. PUBLIC RELATIONS (10 points. Limit: one page.)
   Describe efforts to make students, teachers, parents, board of
   education and the community aware of your library media program and
   its potential.


5. CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
   The chief administrative officer of the district must sign this
   application and include with it a signed statement on the school
   district's letterhead of the rationale and philosophy of support for
   the library media program, the key factors in the program's
   development, and any obstacles which may currently keep the goals of
   the program from being met.


Type Name ______________________________________________
Title __________________________________________________
Officer's Signature ____________________________________

Name and signature of person completing application.  Please give both
office and home telephone numbers (include area codes) should the AASL
Committee wish to contact you.


Name:____________________________       Title:________________________
     ____________________________       Office Phone:_________________
       (Preparer's Signature)           Home Phone:  _________________


SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION WITH REQUESTED NARRATIVE TO: AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIANS, 50 EAST HURON STREET, CHICAGO, IL
60611-2795.  APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION MUST BE RECEIVED
IN THE AASL OFFICE BY MARCH 31, 1995.

Materials not requested in the application form will not be read nor
considered by the Committee.