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CHICAGO – Beginning this summer, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and Capstone are teaming up to offer "Empowering 21^st Century Learners: P21 Framework and AASL Learning Standards" licensed institutes. Through the generous support of Capstone, funding will be given to fourteen groups chosen by AASL to cover 50 percent of the cost per institute. For more information or to apply, visit .

"Capstone recognizes the valuable role librarians play in our schools. We are honored to partner with AASL to support this innovative program which gives librarians the tools they need to prepare students for a successful future," said Tom Ahern, CEO of Capstone.

"Empowering 21^st Century Learners: P21 Framework and AASL Learning Standards" is a one-day institute designed to help school librarians understand how AASL's "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" and the framework of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) align to make it easier for integration into a school or district's current and future practices. The institute will show how the learning standards and framework are aligned and how they are different. "Empowering 21^st Century Learners" will also address how the learning standards can empower students and what skills students will need to succeed in the future. Attendees will leave the institute with a customized plan of action to implement 21st century skills into their school or district's curriculum.

AASL is a member organization and a P21 professional development affiliate. The presenters of the institute received training on the P21 framework and have extensive knowledge of AASL's learning standards.

The institute will be offered July 12-Sept. 3; Oct. 4-Dec. 10; and Feb. 7-April 29. For the first wave of institutes, applications must be received by June 11. Special consideration will be given to applicants from an AASL affiliate organization and/or P21 leadership states. AASL affiliate organizations, school districts and intermediate service units are encouraged to apply.

offer a flexible and convenient way to offer professional development. Licensees have the option to choose the date, time and location of the institute and may also charge a fee to defray the cost of licensing the institute. In addition, all attendees of the institute receive up to eight contact hours. All licensed institutes are taught by experienced presenters who are experts on the subject matter topic.

is the American Association of School Librarians national implementation plan created to support states, school systems, and individual schools preparing to implement the "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" and "Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs." The plan will also increase awareness and understanding of the learning standards and program guidelines and create a committed group of stakeholders with a shared voice.

Capstone is the leading publisher of children's books and digital products and services, offering everything from nonfiction, fiction and picture books to interactive books, audio books and literacy programs. Imprints and divisions include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books, Red Brick Learning, Capstone Digital, and Heinemann-Raintree. Visit Capstone at .

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.