91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – Nick Weingardt has been selected as one of two participants sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) 2020 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. Weingardt and Jamie Becker will join 48 of their peers as the program kicks off at the 2020 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

Weingardt, of Denver, Colorado, earned his Master's of Library and Information Science from Drexel University in 2015. Prior to earning his MLIS, Weingardt earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with an emphasis on literature, from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2013.

Weingardt is currently the school librarian and educational technology specialist at the Kent Denver School, where he developed a new library design, collaborated with the English department to establish an independent reading program, and developed curriculum for the school's freshman innovation program.

When asked what he hoped to gain through participation in the Emerging Leaders program, Weingardt replied: “I am excited to work closely with library professionals outside of my specialization to learn from them to become a better and more well-rounded librarian. The Emerging Leaders program is an opportunity for me to expand my community and the network that I rely on to better serve my students. I am also looking forward to getting more insight into 91´«Ã½ committees and the important work they are doing."

Following the kickoff session in Philadelphia, the Emerging Leaders will collaborate with their peers in an online learning and networking environment. Their work will culminate with a poster session during the 2020 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Chicago. With its sponsorship of Weingardt and Becker, AASL will defray the cost of attending both the 2020 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting and the 2020 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.