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CHICAGO – Jessica Fitzpatrick, school librarian at Mayde Creek High School in Richmond, Texas, is one of five school librarians from across the country receiving a 2022 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.

The Inspire Special Event Grant will be used at Mayde Creek High School to support a “Librarian in the Huddle” collaboration between the school library and the athletic department and expand the program to include a “Coach in the Stacks” program. Fitzpatrick shared, “our students are beginning to view themselves as leaders and readers, both things they have not experienced before because a lot of our students did not have someone who believed in them or knew it was possible to become a leader before this program.”

“The committee loved the ‘thinking outside the box’ and collaborative approach for this event,” said Committee Chair Zandra Lopez. “Building from an incredibly successful and established program to expand impact was evident and commendable.”

“This program is a wonderful reminder of the common goals all educators share in our school communities as we seek out collaborative opportunities,” said AASL President Jennisen Lucas. “In Jessica’s own words ‘we wanted a program that benefited our students and that encouraged them to be their best selves.’ Congratulations on a far-reaching program and collaboration.”

The AASL award winners will be recognized during the 2023 AASL National Conference taking place October 19-21 in Tampa, Florida.

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