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CHICAGO – Until May 2011, all donations made to the American Association of School Librarians' (AASL) "Friends of AASL" campaign will help underwrite the travel of AASL President Nancy Everhart as she completes her Vision Tour. Donations to the Vision Tour can me made at .

The Vision Tour takes AASL's initiative "on-the-road" by showcasing exemplary school libraries across the nation. During the tour, Everhart hopes to visit a school library in every state in the U.S. with the goal of bringing to the general public visual models of what good school libraries offer students and communities. More information is available at or on her blog at .

The schools Everhart will visit were selected by as examples in their state of school libraries that are dedicated to empowering every student with the skills needed to be a Learner4Life. All of the chosen schools are listed on Everhart's blog. Her first stop on the tour will be to Paul W. Bryant School in Cottondale, Ala.. She will also make a stop in Portland Ore. on November 5-6 to speak at AASL's Fall Forum and give updates on her travels.

also features a theme song, "Check it Out," performed by the Boys’ Choir of Tallahassee and a photo album that will include pictures from her tour. hosts a press kit for school's to use when announcing Everhart's visit to their school, as well as helpful information about donating to the Vision Tour. Donations must be made by May 31, 2011.

"Support from Friends of AASL will be critical to the success of the Vision Tour," she maintains. "It’s a shoestring operation, much of it coming from my own funds and sales of Vision Tour t-shirts, so any contribution will be most welcomed."

The ensures excellence in service to the profession and supports future growth and viability. Program funds provide additional financial support for AASL programs and initiatives that enhance the association's mission and goals and also reach above and beyond traditional membership services as guided by AASL's strategic plan and Learning4Life.

The Learning4Life (L4L), , national implementation plan supports states, school systems, and individual schools preparing to implement the "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner and Empowering Learners: Guidelines for School Library Programs." The plan will also increase awareness and understanding of the essential role school librarians play in a student's education.

The American Association of School Librarians, , a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.