IASL International Awards Programme:

IASL/SOFTLINK INTERNATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

Softlink Introduction
Selection Criteria
Award Recipients
Guidelines for Nomination

 

Introduction

This award of US$1000, sponsored through the generosity of Softlink International recognises significant contributions to school librarianship by school library specialists, educators, and/or researchers. Selection of the recipient(s) is based upon peer nomination.

The nominees will be outstanding individuals or teams. For each nominee, three nominations are required from peers, as follows:

  • a professional colleague
  • a school library association or employer
  • a colleague with whom the nominee has collaborated (e.g., a teacher, administrative staff member) other than a school library specialist

Letters of nomination should provide a considered review of the nominee's contribution to school librarianship at a school, district, or professional level, detail the significance and benefits of the person's achievements and the challenges thay have addressed or overcome. What makes this person outstanding should be apparent. At least one of the letters should indicate the overall context of the achievement in terms of access to resources and support.

The nominee(s) must also submit a letter indicating their willingness to be nominated, provide a resumé of past achievements and future goals if selected. In the case of a team nomination, achievements of the team rather than its members should be included.

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Selection Criteria

Criteria for selection will focus on:

  • Significance of achievement in relation to resource context
  • Evidence of commitment to school librarianship and impact on student learning
  • Contribution to professional development of others.

Preference will be given to members of IASL.

Award Recipients

  • 2009 -- No award
  • Media Release -- 27 June 2008 -- Educational Leadership in School Library Programs and Training Modules [PDF file] -- Madhu Bhargava, Dean of Libraries, G.D. Goenka World School in India -- Madhu has developed and established reading and information literacy programs as well as developing training modules for school library personnel in India.
  • 2007 Margaret Muthiga of Kilimo Primary School in Kenya -- Margaret has established a library and reading program that has benefited not only her school community but the wider community, teachers and students in other areas. The library started in a box and now has its own room. Margaret is an example of how one single person can make a huge difference. She is an inspirational educator, using school library principles to improve education in general and student outcomes in particular.
  • 2006 Jennie Bales, Senior Education Officer, ICT Professional Learning, School Education Division, Department of Education Tasmania, Ravenswood, Tasmania, Australia -- demonstrated talent, knowledge, skills and capabilities as curriculum leader, information specialist and information services manager through the integration of curriculum, information and communication technologies, and information resources into classroom programs to achieve student learning outcomes in the district.
  • 2005 Mackay West State School and Mackay City Council Library Service: The team of Margaret Spillman, Lorraine Todd and Clair Grandcourt have developed an enduring strategic alliance between the school and public library service which has resulted in the development of a program: Productive Partnerships -- Learning for Life. The program's four elements involve a work shadowing scheme which forges closer links between the school and public library staff, a library monitor program recognising student library leadership in the school, a program of visits "Grade One students At the Library" (GOAL) and a website that, among other things, improves communication between the school and the public library in supporting students' curriculum activities.
  • 2004 The Australian University of Queensland Library's UQL Cyberschool was awarded the first IASL/Softlink Excellence award. The UQL Cyberschool was launched in 1998 as a community out reach program to address the challenges faced by schools that have limited resources in finding appropriate and reliable information for effective teaching and learning. The program has expanded from three schools in 1998 to 148 high schools across Queensland in 2004.

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Guidelines for Nomination

Nominations may be submitted by fax, email attachment, disk or hard copy to the address below:
IASL Executive Secretary
International Association of School Librarianship
PO Box 83, Zillmere
Queensland 4034
Australia
Fax: +617 3633 0570
Email: IASL Secretariat

The deadline for submission is 1 April each year.

Last updated 27 August 2009 (KSB)