Although Quietly Quitting is an oft mentioned post-pandemic trend, dedicated members of the school librarian community have been quietly leading through a changing educational landscape, promoting a right to read, and advocating for all learners. The role of the school librarian as leader can be developed and enhanced through state associations such as MAME and AASL. How do associations help to influence, serve and support today’s school librarian for this role?
Sylvia Knight Norton is the Executive Director for the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association. Previously she was a high school librarian and then oversaw school libraries in a state department of education where she was part of implementing a successful statewide network and 1:1 computing initiative. Sylvia has formally studied leadership in non-profit organizations while also developing a practical perspective. She was an involved member of her state and region association, AASL and ALA. Her passion for libraries has led her from Maine to Florida and nine year ago to Chicago to work for ALA.
