Pennsylvania School Library Innovators

The Pennsylvania School Library Innovators Award recognizes Pennsylvania school librarians who demonstrate innovative practices that advance the profession.

2020 Recipient: Sarah DeMaria, Mountville Elementary School 

Sarah is an innovator in the category of Transformative Environment.  She created the #10M2M or 10 Minutes 2 Make program to give students an opportunity to participate in STEAM challenges, specifically within her school’s structure of fixed schedule library classes.  Her program highlights student choice, so each child can enjoy a unique creative activity that speaks to their interests.  Sarah also actively helps other educators to start similar programs in their own schools as well, providing numerous ideas for starting and maintaining Makerspaces even when time, budget, and supplies may be challenges.

2020 Recipient: Kim Mento, Boytertown Middle School East

Kim is an innovator in the category of Digital Outreach.  When she could only be present in her library for half of the day because of other responsibilities as an English teacher, she used technology in creative ways to stay connected to serving students as a librarian. She created an extensive library webpage students could use to contact her for various types of help, and she also used Instagram to involve students. She is an excellent example of using technology to be “present when not present,” as she used digital tools to instruct and involve students, so she could support a thriving, active and interactive library community even when she was unable to be physically present in the library.

PSLA AWARDS

Distinguished Service Award

PSLA Presidential Award

Outstanding Pennsylvania Author and/or Illustrator

Outstanding School Administrator (Building or District)

Outstanding Pennsylvania School Library

Pennsylvania School Library Innovators

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Program

Previous Pennsylvania School Library Innovators Award Winners

Eligibility

• No school district, individual school, or individual is eligible if any librarian or individual is on the Awards Committee, a member of the PSLA Board of Directors, or an elected officer of PSLA.
• A nominee whose school and/or district has been recognize as an Outstanding Pennsylvania School Library is not eligible to apply for three (3) years.
• The nominee is a certified school librarian with consistent PSLA membership over a minimum of three consecutive years at the time of nomination. (Librarians with fewer than three years in the profession must have current PSLA membership at the time of nomination.)
• Winning applicants agree to present a conference workshop during the year they are presented the award.
• Nominations for all awards must be completed by a current PSLA member.  Applicants may self-nominate.

Nomination deadline: June 30th

Nomination Form and Scoring Rubric
Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of all forms via Google Docs. To download in another format, please use the File menu.

If you have any questions, please contact the Awards Committee Chair ([email protected]).