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CHICAGO – Dr. Kevin Smith, Superintendent of Wilton Public Schools in Connecticut, is the recipient of the 2020 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Distinguished School Administrator Award. Sponsored by ProQuest, the $2,000 award recognizes and honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of exemplary school libraries and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.

“Dr. Smith has an all-inclusive view of the role of school libraries in the education of the district’s students,” said Susan Hess, award committee chair. “Under Dr. Smith’s leadership, the district developed a multi-year plan to update physical spaces, continue support for the creation of learning experiences covering all grades and disciplines, and implement programming that would encourage students to interact with students globally. He is a visionary whose commitment and support of the district’s school libraries, staff, and students deserves national recognition.”

“Dr. Smith has provided the vision, support, advocated and made the vision real with funding to ensure the Library Learning Commons programs at Wilton Public Schools are recognized for their innovative approaches in the region, state and nationally,” wrote Fran Kompar in her nomination letter. “It takes a forward-thinking, innovative leader to develop a thriving district-wide library program when other school districts make disastrous funding decisions that decimate staffing and programs.”

“I want to thank Susan Hess and her committee for their work in selecting Dr. Kevin Smith to be the recipient of this award,” said AASL President Mary Keeling. “Dr. Smith’s strategic approach makes it possible to center the school library as the intellectual center of learning in Wilton’s schools. The school libraries have been thoroughly reimagined, staffed, and funded to foster self-directed learning at the highest levels.”

The AASL award winners will be honored during a virtual AASL Awards Ceremony during the fall of 2020. The virtual ceremony will replace the live ceremony traditionally presented during the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference. Out of concern for the health and safety of all members of the community, the 91´«Ã½ Executive Board felt it was important to cancel the 2020 conference taking place in Chicago. Details for the virtual ceremony will be shared as they are finalized.

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