91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – Laurel Taylor has been selected as one of two participants sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) in the 91´«Ã½’s (91´«Ã½) 2022 Emerging Leaders program. The Emerging Leaders program enables 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. Taylor and Stephanie Goh will join 47 of their peers as the program kicks off virtually during LibLearnX.

Taylor, of Alexandria, Virginia, earned a Master’s of Library and Information Studies with a concentration in school librarianship from Old Dominion University in 2020 and a Master’s of Art, English from Middle Tennessee State University in 2006. She is National Board Certified in English Language Arts/Adolescence and Young Adulthood.

Taylor is currently one of three librarians at Alexandria City High School where she was an English teacher for more than ten years. She also currently serves as a debate coach, where she supports a policy debate team that competes in the National Catholic Forensic League and Virginia High School League competitions.

She says her greatest accomplishment as a new school librarian is providing services to students who are unsure about the school library. This includes implementing a “bookmobile” – a decorated book cart stocked with high-interest titles – which visited various parts of the school during study hall periods and allowed students to check out books in a less intimidating manner.

Following the kickoff session, 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 2022 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. With its sponsorship of Taylor and Goh, AASL will defray the cost of attending both LibLearnX and the 2022 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.