News and Information

2025 Readers’ Choice Awards

Did you know that when you sign up to host the Monarch, Bluestem, or Lincoln Awards at your school, that you get the right to share your students’ votes to help decide the winner?

Did you know that you ALSO get access to great resources! This includes a book talk presentation, curriculum guides, bookmarks, images, ballots, and more.

Register is open for the 2025 Award year. Voting will open in February.

A special thank you to the volunteers who helped create these wonderful resources. 

2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Join us for our 2024 AISLE Conference, Thursday – Saturday, November 7-9, 2024, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, IL.

This year the theme is AISLE L.E.A.D.: Librarians – Educating, Advocating, making a Difference. Click here to learn more about conference.

Congratulations to the 2024 AISLE Award Recipients!

It’s All About Advocacy

Click here to explore tips and action plans with ready-to-go resources to assist you in advocating for your students, staff and library program. These ideas will highlight the value of school libraries and the library staff—stressing the importance of partnering, collaborating and communicating. See a snapshot of what advocacy should look like in your school library and why it is so crucial to maintain a thriving library program.

Thank you for being members or followers of the Association of Illinois School Library Educators. School Librarians have one of the most versatile teaching roles in your school district. One of their many responsibilities is being an advocate for school libraries, and they cannot do this important work alone. Unfortunately, during the 2021-22 school year Illinois School Librarians reported book challenges, budget cuts, and position removals across our state. We cannot stand by in silence and let this trend continue!

The time is NOW to advocate for every child to have access to a library in their school. The time is NOW to advocate for a certified school librarian in every school library. Your colleagues need you. We need your voice. Make 2022-23 the year we come together as one organization to promote the importance of a certified school librarian to the stakeholders in each of our communities. We need our stakeholders to understand the necessity of a school librarian in EVERY Illinois school.

2022 AISLE Award Winners

It is our pleasure to announce the 2022 AISLE Award winners who will be honored at the Awards Banquet and Ceremony during this years Annual Conference. Please join us in offering our congratulations to:

Mary Jo Matousek
Retired
Presented with the AISLE Past-President Pin to recognize her leadership and service to the organization during her tenure as President.

AISLE appreciates the work that the Nomination and Election committee, led by Colleen Malone, did to present our membership with a slate of such high caliber candidates.

Scholarships

Awarded annually, AISLE scholarships are specifically designed to support those who are taking school library coursework leading to Illinois licensure. Please review the individual scholarship pages for specific terms, criteria, and eligibility requirements. Scholarship applications are accepted between November 15 and February 1.

The Marilyn Kay Maynard Scholarship

for those who wish to gain licensure as
a school librarian

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The Esther Baker Scholarship

for those who wish to gain licensure as a high school librarian

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Grants

AISLE grants support current Illinois school librarians, those working to become school librarians, or Illinois school library programs. Please review the individual grant pages for specific terms, criteria, and eligibility requirements.

Lauretta McCusker, O.P., D.L.S. Professional Development Grant

for workshops, conferences or coursework related to school librarianship

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Disaster Relief
Fund

For financial assistance after a disaster or catastrophe within the the school library media center

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LBSS Endowment Fund Grants

LBSS Endowment Fund grant opportunities to support collection development and Readers’ Choice Program participation

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Awards

AISLE awards are presented annually at the association’s fall conference to recognize excellence in librarianship, service to the organization, or meritorious support of school library programs.  Applications for the four standard awards may be filled out by any AISLE member.  Nominations for the five honor awards are generated by the AISLE board, however the general membership may contact any board member to recommend nomination. Please see the individual award pages for specific terms, criteria, and eligibility requirements. The nomination/application window is open annually between May 1 and September 15.

Standard Awards

Innovative School Library Program Award

To recognize an innovative or creative event or service with a measurable positive impact on users

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AISLE Exemplary School Library Award

To recognize school libraries in Illinois that exemplify the standards set forth in Linking for Learning

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Administrator of the Year Award

To recognize meritorious support of a school library program by a school administrator during the previous school calendar year

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The Polestar Award

To honor a member of the Association who has made outstanding contributions to school library media programs in Illinois

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Honor Awards

Lifetime Membership Honor Award

To honor an individual for faithful, exceptional service to the Association

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Crystal Honor Award

To recognize distinguished support of, or contributions to, school librarianship, school libraries, and/or the Association

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School Librarian of the Year Honor Award

To recognize service to the organization, contribution to librarianship, or for service to the school library community

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First Page Honor Award

To recognize a member within the first five years of membership for service or contribution
to librarianship

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Pillar Honor Award

To recognize an exhibit vendor for support, being an integral, upstanding member, or part of the AISLE conference experience

Learn More
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AISLE & Member Library Highlights

Salt Creek Primary School: This amazing “The Hat” display was created by our former librarian Bobbie Kocim. Our students love it!

Woodland Middle School: Have you completed your Wordle today? Maybe these 5-letter titles from the Woodland Middle School collection can help?

Spring Ave Library: Originally a gym, the Spring Ave Library’s renovations of the space and the collection transformed it into the GEM of the building. Full of readers, books, and plants, our library is a lively place of growth, learning, and joy.