91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – Bianca Spurlock has been selected as one of two participants sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) 2019 Emerging Leaders program. The Emerging Leaders program enables newer library workers from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. Spurlock and Corey Hall will join 48 of their peers as the program kicks off at the 2019 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in Seattle.

Spurlock, of Richmond, Virginia, earned her master of library and information science from Florida State University in 2015. She also holds a master of liberal arts with a concentration in sociology and African American history from the University of Richmond.

Spurlock is currently the middle and upper school librarian at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia. There she collaborates with the middle school educators in the integration of information literacy instruction throughout the curriculum. She also plans and provides professional development for fellow librarians and teachers.

When asked what she hoped to gain through participation in the Emerging Leaders program, Spurlock replied: “Becoming an Emerging Leader gives me the opportunity to be surrounded by people that have specific passions in librarianship and service, and that will inspire me to grow and become a better librarian and person overall. Every time I interact with people in my profession, I come back with a drive to be better and do better for my community.”

Following the kickoff session in Seattle, the Emerging Leaders will collaborate with their peers in an online learning and networking environment. Their work culminates with a poster session during the 2019 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Washington, DC. With its sponsorship of Spurlock and Hall, AASL will defray the cost of attending both the 2019 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting and the 2019 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.