Sponsored by Follett Library Media Resources

The school library media program that is fully integrated into the school’s curriculum is central to the learning process and student achievement. It promotes critical thinking, evaluation of information and ideas, and life-long reading for pleasure and information.  The application can be found at http://www.idaholibraries.org/files/2010-ILA-SLM-Program-of-the-Year.pdf

Purpose of the award:

The mission of a school library media program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information (American Association of School Librarians, 1998).

This award:

• Emphasizes the school library media program’s role in the instructional process through professionalism, collaboration and development of library media center resources that are in support of curricular goals;
• Encourages the development of library media programs that are the result of collaborative efforts of all those who are responsible for student learning: administration, teachers, librarians, and parents;
• Identifies and recognizes a variety of models successfully providing for Idaho students’ information needs;
• Encourages the development of library media programs by increasing the education community’s awareness of outstanding school library programs.

Criteria:

Each application will be judged on key factors:

• How well the library program supports the mission of school library media programs;
• Use of the Idaho Achievement Standards and national information literacy standards (AmericanAssociation of School Librarians, 1998) incorporated into the applicant’s library program;
• Successful integration of the library program into the school or district’s instructional program;
• Use of technology through the district or library website to expand the reach of library services (see NETS for Teachers: http://cnets.iste.org/currstands);
• Significant library use and access;
• Commitment to educate colleagues about your school or district’s library programs and services that can be replicated by other libraries at the annual fall ILA conference.

Award Process:

• Award presented to one program at the annual ILA conference in October
• Press release to the local newspaper;
• Featured story in an Idaho library publication(s);
• Cash award of $400, provided by Follett Library Resources, toward conference costs for a library representative to attend the annual Idaho Library Association Conference in 2010 to and to receive the award at the conference banquet. Any award money remaining from attending the conference will be spent on library resources.

Application Deadline: August 1, 2010