ALA Midwinter 2011: Join Follett Challenge To Win 100K in Products, Services
Think your media center does an exceptional job of applying technology, content, and creativity to engage students and foster literacy and critical thinking? The Follett Corporation wants to know. By Debra Whelan Jan 9, 2011During the American Library Association's midwinter meeting in San Diego this weekend, the Follett Corporation unveiled the Follett Challenge, which will award $100,000 worth of Follett products and services to six public or private K-12 school libraries that show their impact on student achievement.
Many studies show that school libraries have a direct connection to helping students perform better in school. Recognizing the strong link between library programs and student success, Follett wants to reward the best innovations in school libraries.
During the last decade, more than a dozen studies by the Library Research Service demonstrated that students at schools with well-developed library programs consistently scored an average of 10-18 percent higher on standardized reading tests. Despite these findings, however, many library programs today find themselves with fewer staff and less resources.
"A library's ability to improve student performance depends in large part on the resources made available to them," says Chuck Follett, president and CEO of Follett Corporation. "Through this Challenge, we're committed to drawing attention to the undeniable connection between well-run libraries and student performance to ensure that one of our most important educational resources receives the attention and funding it deserves."
The contest was announced January 9 to a crowded room of librarians and industry leaders attending ALA midwinter meeting. The judges, comprised of library and educational professionals, will look for schools that do the most outstanding job of combining technology, content, and creativity in ways that foster learning and critical thinking.
The six winning libraries will be rewarded with the cash-equivalent of products and services from Follett, which include books, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources from Follett Library Resources; automated library, resource, and learning management solutions from Follett Software; and supplemental classroom materials, workbooks and pre-owned textbooks from Follett Educational Services.
Applications for the Follett Challenge will be available February 1, 2011 and will consist of a detailed program description, a written endorsement of support from the school's administration, and a three to five minute video explaining the library program's impact. The deadline is June 1, 2011.
For more information about the Follett Challenge, contact follettchallenge@follett.com.
Visit LJ/SLJ's ALA Conference News page for additional coverage of the Midwinter Meeting.
