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CHICAGO – The Virginia Association of School Librarians (VAASL) has been named one of three 2019 recipients of the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Past-Presidents Planning Grant for National School Library Standards. The $2,500 grants, awarded in honor of AASL past presidents, are presented annually to AASL Affiliate organizations for the planning and execution of an event, initiative or activity focused on the implementation of AASL's .

VAASL is the recipient of the planning grant awarded in the honor of David Loertscher and sponsored by Roger and Susan D. Ballard. VAASL will use the funds to create two professional development events to be offered in the summer of 2019. The goal of both events is for attending librarians and future librarians to adopt the AASL National School Library Standards and implement the standards in their daily practice. By offering these two distinct opportunities for librarians throughout Virginia, VAASL sets the standard for school librarians to embrace the new standards and become champions for implementation, integration, and change in schools and districts across the state.

"There were two aspects of this proposal that were especially interesting," said Dorcas Hand, award committee chair. "The focus on the Include Shared Foundation will directly impact student learning after Virginia school librarians complete the trainings. Also, the involvement of two different state universities to make the trainings more accessible to more librarians, which also exemplifies Include."

The AASL award winners will be honored at the AASL Awards Ceremony during the 2019 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. All are welcome to celebrate the accomplishments of their peers during this recognition event.

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