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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">January marks the time of year when many of us make resolutions and changes to improve our lives. Maybe you are resolving to spend more time reading and less time on social media? Or more exercise and less sugar?

</span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">The Exemplary School Library Award Committee wants to challenge you to take that new year energy and

resolve to be recognized for all that you do!  Taking the time to apply for the Exemplary School Library Award now will start you on the path of communicating with your administration and advocating for your library's needs.

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"></span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"></span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"></span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"></span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"></span><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">

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All of the award information is available at the AISLE website. In addition, the committee will be sending out reminders, helpful tips, and answers to FAQs over the next few months to help and encourage you.<br>

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"><a href="https://www.aisled.org/exemplary.php" id="LPlnk365560">https://www.aisled.org/exemplary.php</a><br>

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<a target="_blank" id="LPUrlAnchor574367" href="https://www.aisled.org/exemplary.php" style="text-decoration:none">AISLE - Exemplary School Library Award</a></div>

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Recognizes school libraries in Illinois that exemplify the standards in Linking for Learning</div>

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www.aisled.org</div>

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif"><span><b>FIRST HOT TIP:</b>

A special talent of many school librarians is managing to do more with less.

</span></span>Although the application process should be reflective and comprehensive, it does not have to be tedious.  If you have been evaluated in the last year or are getting ready to be evaluated

or if you have completed National Board, you will find the process for completing the award application similar and will most likely be able to use much the evidence you have already collected.

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<b><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">About the Exemplary School Library Award:

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Established in 2018, the award recognizes school libraries throughout the state of Illinois that exemplify the standards set forth in Linking for Learning, 4</span><sup><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">th</span></sup><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">

 edition (2018). This award is presented to a school library in public, private, or charter schools; it is not intended to recognize districts or individual librarians.</span></p>

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<b><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">To be eligible for the award, the library must meet the following criteria:</span></b><br>

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<li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">School must have a full-time school librarian who is a member of AISLE.</span><br>

</li><li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">School library must have a dedicated school budget, some of which must come from the local organization.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">School may NOT have received the award within the last three years.</span><br>

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<div><b><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Selection Criteria:</span></b><br>

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<li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">All parts of the application must be submitted electronically, including a self-evaluation using the Linking for Learning 4</span><sup><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">th</span></sup><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">

 edition, 2018 rubrics and evidence supporting each standard. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">The applicant must also submit an application fee of $30 no later than April 29.</span></li></ul>

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<b><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Deadline for Application:</span></b></p>

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<li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Applications must be submitted electronically between March 1stand April 30th.</li><li><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Applicants must score a minimum of 100 points on the application (out of 125 possible) to be awarded this distinction.

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">Although the application window is March 1 - April 30, you should begin collecting your evidence now!

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">I, along with other committee members, would be happy to help any interested AISLE members. Contact

</span><a href="mailto:schoolrecognition@aisled.org"><span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">schoolrecognition@aisled.org</span></a></p>

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<span style="font-family:Cambria,Georgia,serif">New Year! Same Great YOU! Same Great Library! Resolve to be recognized!

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<b><i><span style="color:rgb(0,111,201); font-size:14pt; background-color:white; font-family:Constantia,"Hoefler Text",serif">Melissa Tedesco

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