91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – Prestigious members of the Project Connect team will discuss how information professionals can reimagine the ways they support student learning during a panel presentation at the 2014 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Hosted by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), this dynamic discussion will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, in room N259/261 of the Las Vegas Convention Center. This event is included in conference registration, and all are invited to attend.

During the panel discussion, highly respected members of the industry will share their views on the future of the school library. They will also examine the role of the librarian as a driver of Common Core State Standards curriculum development, content selection and the digital transition.

Moderated by Britten Follett, 5th generation Follett family member and Project Connect team member, the panel of experts includes: Dr. Mark Edwards, Mooresville (N.C.) Graded School District superintendent and 2013 National Superintendent of the Year; Dr. Steve Joel, Lincoln (Ne.) Public Schools superintendent; Dr. Gail Dickinson, AASL president and Professor at Old Dominion (Va.) University, and Todd Litzsinger, Chairman of the Board, Follett Corporation.

“This panel reflects a shared focus on learning in libraries,” said Dickinson. “It's exciting to participate in a conversation with school administrators about the opportunities of digital learning in today’s schools and libraries.”

“It was inspiring to see the turnout and participation at the inaugural Project Connect panel discussion during last November’s AASL Conference,” said Litzsinger. “Project Connect team members – some of the top K-12 education voices in the country – are excited about the 91´«Ã½ panel and continuing the thought-provoking discussion of districts empowering their librarians to impact key curriculum and digital decisions for today and the future.”

Project Connect is a national initiative to connect powerful school library programs to the needs of successful 21st century schools. Sponsored by Follett, Project Connect began as a library advocacy effort to improve student outcomes. Ultimately the Project Connect team will craft an advocacy and curriculum program designed to forge strategic relationships between school library professionals and educational leaders at the local, regional and national level.

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.

Since 1873, Follett has served as the trusted partner in education for students and educators at all levels of learning. Today Follett delivers physical and digital learning materials, retail services, school content and management systems to more than 70,000 early childhood, primary and secondary schools, and on more than 1,000 college campuses. Headquartered in Westchester, Illinois, Follett is a $2.7 billion privately held company. For more information, visit .