An annual award presented by School Library Journal (SLJ) and sponsored by Scholastic Book Fairs

2021 eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and application
process appear below - the application period has closed.

 

School Librarian of the Year covers

 

2021 SCHOOL LIBRARIANS OF THE YEAR
On SLJ.com:
 

Multitasking in Molokai: Diane Mokuau, 2021 School Librarian of the Year
Journeying with Jones: Amanda Jones, 2021 School Librarian of the Year




 

2020 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

 

 

 

 

2018 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

 

 

 

2017 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

On Scholastic:

 

2016 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

On EDU@Scholastic:

Scholastic Librarians on Facebook:

 

2015 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

On EDU@Scholastic:

Scholastic Librarians on Facebook:

Scholastic Reads Podcast:

Scholastic Administrator:

 

2014 SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR

On SLJ.com:

 

 

 

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR IN THE NEWS

 

Publishers Weekly:

The Library Voice:

The Chicago Tribune:

Kenosha News:

South Coast Today:

Dartmouth Week:

Wicked Local – Shrewsbury:

 

SLJ ARTICLES BY & ABOUT SCHOOL LIBRARIANS OF THE YEAR & FINALISTS

 

 

The School Librarian of the Year 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.

 

2021 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered, applicants must meet state requirements for school library media certification and be currently employed in a media specialist, teacher librarian or equivalent position. They can be working in either a public or private school at a site level—supervisors or managers of library programs (including at a district or regional level) are not eligible. The winning school librarian will receive:

  • $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, Ambassador of School Libraries, Scholastic, including a book giveaway for every student in the school.
  • A feature profile in the April 2021 issue of SLJ.

Previous applicants who have not yet received the award are encouraged to apply again.

 

2021 JUDGING & CRITERIA

A panel comprised of SLJ editors; John Schumacher, Ambassador of School Libraries, Scholastic; Cicely Lewis, 2020 School Librarian of the Year; and Glenn Robbins, superintendent, Brigantine (NJ) Community School district, will judge nominations per the following criteria:

  • Exemplary service to fulfill the needs of students and school community
  • Creativity in programming and use of content
  • Collaboration with teacher peers, staff, and administrators
  • Effective integration of library services with curricula
  • Demonstrated student engagement
  • Exemplary use of technology tools
  • Outreach to parents, families
  • Effective promotion of the library and what it offers

 

2021 APPLICATION PROCESS

A written statement of up to two pages describing the award nominee and the services implemented must demonstrate how the librarian’s accomplishments fulfill the award criteria above. Provide context regarding the school and its library, including:

  • A description of library services and how they are delivered (i.e. scheduling)
  • The size and makeup of library media center resources, including staff
  • Budget information (school and library, and technology funding)
  • The physical plant (include approximate square footage of library)
  • Student demographics
  • A description of the community served
  • Two letters of recommendation must also accompany the application.

Photographs, video, links, including related blog posts and press coverage, and other supportive material, may also be submitted but will be considered supplementary.

Applicants can nominate themselves. Supporters (i.e. administrators, peers, institutions) can also nominate a librarian for the award. But due to the responsibilities of the winner (the production of related content for SLJ), the nominee must be aware of the application and attendant responsibilities of participation.

All required application elements, including both recommendation letters, must be emailed in one submission to sljlibrarianoftheyear@mediasourceinc.com. Required elements sent separately will result in an incomplete application, which will render them ineligible.

 

2021 KEY DATES

  • Nominations open: September 15, 2020
  • Nominations close: December 8
  • Winner announced: March 2021
  • Winner profiled in SLJ: April 2021

 

 

 

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