KASL Awards
Regional School Media Librarian Scholarships
For details on regional awards, please see the district webpage or contact the district president.
Statewide Awards
This is the updated awards page for 2025. Follow this link to apply or nominate for all of the awards except the Barby Hardy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Barby Hardy Lifetime Achievement Award
Purpose: This award is given to an individual who has given continuous, sustained support to the school library profession throughout his/her lifetime.
Eligibility: Nominees should have served in the school library profession for at least 10 years.
Award: The award will consist of a plaque from KASL and will be presented at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines:
1. This award is given to an individual who has given continuous, sustained support to the school library profession throughout his/her lifetime.
2. Nominees should have served in the school library profession for at least 10 years.
3. Nominees should have exhibited leadership within the profession. Minimally, nominees should be active in their regional branch of KASL. The ideal nominee will have had leadership roles at the state (KASL) and national levels.
4. Nominees should be examples of embracing change and growth. They should have visionary characteristics that helped the school libraries they serve continually move forward.
5. Nominees should have served as advocates for the profession at the local and regional level. The ideal nominee would also have been an advocate for the profession at the state and national level.
6. The award does not have to be presented every year.
7. Nominees will be solicited by an awards committee. Nomination forms will be due April 15 of each year. In addition to the nomination form, at least 1-3 letters of recommendation must be submitted.
8. Applications will be reviewed annually by the awards committee to decide which candidate, if any, deserves the award.
9. Must include at least 1-3 support letters.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
School Librarian of the Year
Purpose: To recognize the school media librarian who has made outstanding contributions to the profession by following elements of AASL’s National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries (2018).
Eligibility : Any Kentucky school media librarian or school may submit the name of a library media specialist who meets the qualifications listed and is also a member of KLA/KASL.
Award: Plaque and recognition at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines:
1. Masters degree in Library Science and at least 5 years of school library service
2. Active member of KLA/KASL and has given his or her time and effort for the advancement of school libraries in Kentucky on both local and state levels
3. The school library’s mission, goals, and objectives align/relate to the mission, goals, and objectives of the school’s and district’s long-range plan
4. The school library is continuously assessed and evaluated to ensure that it meets the needs of all members of the learning community
5. The school library is a dynamic learning environment that bridges the gap between equitable access and opportunities for all learners
6. The school library scheduling is thoughtfully designed to ensure learners have access to school library services, spaces, and resources at the point of need
7. Application has at least 1-3 letters of support with at least 1 being from school/district administration
8. The nomination form and letters of support must be submitted by April 15
9. The person nominated must not have won this award in the past 3 years. If you are unsure, please contact the KASL Awards Chairperson.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Eleanor W. Simmons Memorial Grant
Purpose: To encourage participation in the field of library science
Eligibility: Individuals who are involved with a Kentucky school library. Individuals who desire professional training in the area of school librarianship. School librarians or student organizations who desire to institute a pilot program within their school's library. Librarian must be a current KASL member.
Award: Two grants will be awarded, if applications warrant, of up to $500.00 each at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Conditions: The pilot program and/or grantee will report to the following Summer Refresher.
Guidelines: Application form & 1-3 letters of recommendation must be submitted by April 15 for committee selection.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Student Technology Award
Purpose: To recognize an outstanding Kentucky school student (grades K-12) who has demonstrated leadership through technology activities coordinated with the school curriculum.
Award: $100.00 will be presented at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines: The student must be nominated by a current KASL member who is a practicing school library media specialist. Nomination must be submitted by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Donna Hornsby Joint Technology Project Award
Purpose: To promote the use of technology in the library media center by teachers and students; to increase cooperative planning among library media specialists and teachers; and to enhance the acquisition of information skills.
Award: $400.00 to be used jointly by the library media specialist(s) and teacher(s) applicants awarded at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines: Joint submission by a school library media specialist who must be a current KASL member and a teacher (or team of teachers). Must be submitted by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Innovative Digital Engagement Award
Purpose: This award recognizes outstanding Library Media Specialists who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and effectiveness in using digital tools and platforms to enhance student engagement, learning, and library services. We are looking for individuals who leverage technology to make library resources accessible, engaging, and educational in dynamic and innovative ways. Nominations will be accepted for those who have created and utilized digital platforms such as but NOT limited to:
Websites: Interactive and user-friendly library websites that provide students, staff, and families with easy access to resources, events, tutorials, and more.
Bitmoji Classrooms: Immersive, visually engaging, virtual classroom environments that foster learning through personalized and interactive digital spaces.
Wakelets: Curated collections of multimedia resources and educational content that organize and showcase learning materials in a meaningful and accessible way for students and faculty.
These digital spaces serve as modern extensions of the library, helping to bridge the gap between traditional services and the evolving digital landscape. The award celebrates Library Media Specialists who are not only proficient in using these tools but who also demonstrate a commitment to enhancing the learning experience through innovation, creativity, and engagement.
Award: Award is a framed certificate and recognition at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines:
1. Award presented to the platform considered most worthy.
2. School media specialist must be a current KASL member.
3. Nomination must be submitted by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Jesse Stuart Media Award
Purpose: To recognize development of media relating to Kentucky/promoting Kentucky.
Award: Award is plaque and recognition at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines:
1. Any type of media or combination of media. Media must be given to Awards Chair by April 15th.
2. Award presented to the media considered most worthy. It doesn’t go to the person, per say, but for what they produced, be it a film, book, podcast, blog, etc. It would not need to be tied/related to a school library.
3. Must be nominated by KASL member.
4. Nomination form due by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Service Award for Library Clerks
Purpose: To recognize and honor the library clerks who have made worthy contributions to the operation of effective school library media services and supports the library services in the school.
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently employed as a school library clerk in the state of Kentucky and nominated by a current KASL member.
Award: Recognition and certificate at the annual KASL Awards Banquet.
Guidelines: Completed nomination form by a KASL member with 1-3 letters of support which state the nominee’s outstanding and sustained contribution toward furthering the role of the library and the librarian.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
KASL Award for Advocacy
Purpose:
1. To honor those (administration, parent, business, non-profit) who through individual leadership have advocated effective school library media services in meaningful educational partners.
2. To recognize the responsible and influential role of those in the learning and wider community in developing successful school library media programs.
3. To stimulate planning, implementing and continued support of the school library services which are essential to a meaningful educational program.
Eligibility: State, county, or district school superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of curricula and/or instruction, school supervisors, principals, state education department personnel, teachers, parents, school board members, school library coordinators, businesses, non-profits, and/or supportive citizens and organizations.
Award: Plaque, recognition at the annual KASL Awards Banquet
Guidelines:
1. Complete application submitted by KASL member.
2. Submit 1-3 letters of reference stating the nominee's outstanding and sustained contribution toward furthering the role of the library and its development in education.
3. Form must be completed by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms
Intellectual Freedom Award
Intellectual Freedom, as defined by the American Library Association, is "… the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas."
Criteria:
1. Actively promotes intellectual freedom in the sphere of his/her influence and beyond and exemplifies the spirit of intellectual freedom on the local, state, or national level.
2. Has developed and implemented an exemplary selection policy/challenge procedure.
3. Has upheld intellectual freedom principles in the face of a challenge.
Eligibility: KASL member
Award: Framed Certificate recognition at the annual KASL Awards Banquet
Guidelines:
1. Complete application submitted by KASL member.
2. Submit 1-3 letters of reference stating the nominee's outstanding and sustained contribution toward furthering the role of the library/intellectual freedom and its development in education.
3. Form must be completed by April 15.
Submit an Application via Google Forms