SLJ's two new awards: School Librarian of the Year Award and Build Something Bold!

I am so embarrassed to have missed these announcement, and I want to make sure that others do not! SLJ just announced two new awards that are ripe pickings for so many of you!

1. School Librarian of the Year! You know who you are.  I urge you to nominate yourself.
School Library Journal has launched the 2014 School Librarian of the Year Award sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing. The School Librarian of the Year Award honors a K–12 school library professional for outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of 21st-century tools and services to engage children and teens toward fostering multiple literacies.
The winner will receive a $2,500 cash award, plus $2,500 worth of print and digital materials from Scholastic Library Publishing and will be profiled in a feature article in the September 2014 issue of SLJ. Two finalists will each receive $500 in materials of their choice from Scholastic Library Publishing and be featured with the winner on SLJ.com.
Applicants will be judged by a panel of school librarians, SLJ editors, Scholastic Library Publishing staff, a classroom teacher, and a school administrator on 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

In order to be eligible, applicants must meet state requirements for school library media certification and be currently employed in a media specialist, teacher librarian, or equivalent position. He or she 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.
Nominations close May 23, and winners announced July 1. For questions regarding the submission process, contact SLJ’s Kathy Ishizuka: kishizuka@mediasourceinc.com.
2.  Build Something Bold: For those of you who are using your Learning Commons or Makerspaces or Genius Hours to create, invent, design!

SLJ and LEGO Education’s inaugural Build Something Bold Library Design Award recognizes innovative design within a school library or classroom that demonstrates exemplary and creative use of library space and resources to effectively engage children and/or teens and enhance multiple literacy capabilities, from basic reading skills to digital competencies.
The nomination period will close on May 31, 2014 at 11:59 pm ET.
Grand Prize:
$5,000 cash award
Profile in SLJ’s November issue and a LEGO Education StoryStarter Classroom set with software and curriculum.
1st Runner-Up – $1,500
2nd Runner-Up – $500
Editor’s Choice – $500
Criteria for eligibility includes:
• Creativity in space and program design
• Effective integration of learning/programming objectives
• Demonstrated student engagement and impact on learning
• Engagement of partners through new collaborations
• Cost-effectiveness or planning toward sustainability
• Ease-of-Replication

Filed under: advocacy, awards, school librarian of the year award, school libraries, teacher librarians