The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) 2009 awards program includes more than $45,000 in funding for awards to AASL members.

The nine AASL awards recognize excellence and showcase best practices in the school library media field in categories that include research, collaboration, leadership, and innovation. Applications for the awards are available online at www.ala.org/aasl/awards.

The awards include:

The National School Library Media Program of the Year (NSLMPY) Award sponsored by Follett Library Resources (one District Award, two Single School awards - $10,000 each).

The AASL Collaborative School Library Media Award sponsored by Highsmith, Inc. ($2,500).

The ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant sponsored by ABC-CLIO (up to $1,750).

The Distinguished Service Award sponsored by Baker & Taylor ($3,000).

The Distinguished School Administrator Award sponsored by ProQuest ($2,000).

The Frances Henne Award sponsored by Greenwood Publishing Group ($1,250).

The Information Technology Pathfinder Award sponsored by Follett Software Company ($1,000).

The Innovative Reading Grant sponsored by Capstone Publishers (Capstone Press, Compass Books, Children’s Library Resources, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books, and Red Brick Learning) ($2,500).

The Intellectual Freedom Award sponsored by ProQuest ($2,000 to the winner and $1,000 to the school library media center of the winner’s choice).

AASL, www.aasl.org.