Congratulations! But don’t keep this a secret. Share this knowledge with others.

We are all keenly aware of the need for advocates who understand the role of the librarian and the importance of libraries in the educational process. School libraries don’t just need an advocate; we need an army of advocates. Principals, parents, students, curriculum writers, community workers, grandparents, librarians in public, special, and academic libraries can all work toward improving and keeping school libraries strong in our state and our nation. One of the generals in our army is the school library administrator. He or she can lead the way or block any advocacy assault we might devise.

So let’s celebrate, acknowledge, and encourage those school library administrators who value their libraries. One of the best ways to recognize an outstanding school administrator is to nominate that person to receive the Texas Association of School Librarian’s Distinguished Administrator Award. This award not only honors our outstanding administrator advocates but also encourages other administrators to become advocates through their example. This award is based on the premise that to some extent advocacy is communicable and that it can spread with the proper stimulus. Over the past years some wonderful men and women have stepped up to the podium to receive this award. This year it could be your administrator. We'll be looking for your nomination.

The application is online at http://www.txla.org/html/awards/scholar/admnawrd.html .
There are only 9 questions this year as our committee has refined the questions. Your school administrator can attend the TASL luncheon in Houston and receive this award. The deadline for nominations is January 25, 2009.

Debbie Hall, Contributor
(Originally submitted TASL listserv)