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CHICAGO – Amy Gammon, reading teacher at Greenport Elementary School in Greenport, New York, is one of six school librarians from across the country receiving a 2020 American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) Inspire Special Event Grant. Made possible by the generosity of AASL member Marina “Marney” Welmers, the grant program provides funds for public middle or high school libraries to plan a special event to enhance student learning.

To provide authentic learning experiences to Greenport students, Gammon will work with school librarian Lauren Richter to host a visit with Lauren Magaziner, author of middle grade books including “Case Closed,” “Pilfer Academy,” and “Wizard Match.” During the visit, Magaziner will talk about her writing process and illustrate how to develop characters, create a plot, and other craft elements emphasizing the revision and rewriting process. After the visit, Richter will teach a unit based on Magaziner’s work. Students will demonstrate learning by creating a project such as a slide show, video, or podcast.

“What better way to encourage student voice than by bringing an author to learners?” asked AASL President Mary Keeling. “Amy Gammon plans to bring author Lauren Magaziner to the school for a day immersed in story. This author visit will open a world of possibilities for the children in this small and sheltered community.”

The Inspire Special Event Grant provides up to $2,000 in funding to a school library looking to engage students with school library resources and promote reading, books, literacy, and authors. The funds can be used to create a new or enhance an existing extracurricular activity that will increase student achievement. A total of $10,000 is distributed to schools annually.

“The committee was extremely impressed with the quality of the applications and their contributions towards engaging and empowering students,” said Rebecca Gordon, grant committee chair. “The grant recipients have showcased how the chosen events and programming will help schools foster community, collaboration, and creativity. These grants will allow the selected schools' learning communities to create a culture of reading and lifelong learning.”

“I’m thrilled that so many of the grant projects address issues of social justice, racial healing, and service learning,” said Keeling. “Through these grants, learners will be empowered to make a difference in their own communities and the world. AASL is exceedingly grateful to Marney Welmers for her continued financial support of the grant program. Her gifts celebrate the impact school librarians have on learners and school culture.”

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��ý Annual Conference. Out of concern for the health and safety of all members of the community, the 91��ý 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��ý (91��ý), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.