Today, nominations for the 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award are officially open!
Presented by School Library Journal and sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs, the award honors a K–12 library professional for outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of 21st-century tools and services to engage children and teens toward fostering multiple literacies.
In a year that has been unlike any other, when our lives and the way we experience teaching and learning has changed so drastically, school librarians have gone above and beyond to support students, families, and educators with the power of literacy, and their role has never been more essential.
Tell your school librarian about this opportunity to share their story and get books and resources for your school, or if you are a supporter (i.e. administrator, peer, institution), nominate them yourself!
The 2021 School Librarian of the Year will receive:
- A $2,500 cash award and $2,500 in-kind digital and/or print products for their library.
- A Scholastic Book Fairs “Mr. Schu's Picks” collection of books.
- A visit from John Schumacher, the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs, including a book giveaway for every student in the school.
- A feature profile in the April 2021 issue of School Library Journal.
The deadline to submit is Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
To learn more about the School Librarian of the Year Award and the nomination process, visit www.slj.com/schoollibrarianoftheyear.
To be considered, applicants must meet state requirements for school library media certification and be currently employed as a media specialist, teacher librarian, or equivalent position at a public or private school at a site level. Previous applicants who have not yet received the award are encouraged to apply again!
Nominations are judged by a panel including School Library Journal editors; John Schumacher (Mr. Schu), the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs; and Cicely Lewis, 2020 School Librarian of the Year, based on criteria such as creativity in programming and use of content, exemplary service to fulfill the needs of students and the school community, demonstrated student engagement, and more.
Join us in celebrating the amazing school librarians who go above and beyond to support their students and communities with the power of literacy every day!
Hear from Past School Librarian of the Year Award Winners
Inspiring school librarians who have received this honor in the past include Michelle Colte, Kristina Holzweiss, Todd Burleson, Tamiko Brown, Ali Schilpp, and most recently, 2020 School Librarian of the Year Cicely Lewis from Norcross, Georgia.
To learn more about the past winners of the School Librarian of the Year Award, their work, and their views on the power of libraries, check out their posts on the EDU blog:
- Cicely Lewis: 2020 School Librarian of the Year Cicely Lewis Discusses the Crucial Role of Libraries
- Ali Schilpp: How “Going Global” Can Support Multiple Literacies and Digital Citizenship
- Tamiko Brown: 5 Reasons School Librarians Should Use Social Media and Creating a Mobile Classroom Makerspace Library Program
- Todd Burleson: Three Reasons School Librarians Should Use Twitter
- Kristina Holzweiss: My Story: From a Job Cut to Becoming School Librarian of the Year
- Michelle Colte: How I elevate learning through play
