Library group honors Vince Barnes as 'Distinguished School Administrator'
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) has named North Elementary School Principal Vince Barnes as this year's "Distinguished School Administrator." He was nominated for the award by Carl Harvey II, North's library media specialist.
Mr. Barnes is "an amazing educational leader," Mr. Harvey wrote in his letter of nomination.
According to Harvey, Mr. Barnes encourages collaboration between the school librarian and teachers and "creates opportunities for the school librarian to share ideas, activities and resources that would help teachers in their instruction."
Mr. Barnes has been the principal at North for the past six years. In that time, he has consistently advocated for school libraries and believes they are the center of school learning. He is a vocal supporter of school libraries at district administrator meetings and encourages a flexible schedule for school librarians. He also has presented at a workshop on how to build strong principal-school librarian relationships.
As principal, Mr. Barnes believes the most important thing he can do to support the library program is hire the best person for the job and provide that person with the resources necessary to develop an outstanding library program for the school. He also believes the best way he can support the school librarian is to "encourage and expect all to collaborate."
Although he has served in an administrative capacity before coming to North, Mr. Barnes' knowledge of school library programs was limited. In previous schools, volunteer parents staffed the school library, which was merely a place to check out books. When asked how he became so well versed in the importance of a strong school library program in such a short amount of time, Mr. Barnes replied, "I know what's good for kids!"
"Mr. Barnes is very deserving of the Distinguished School Administrators Award. He values the contribution that school librarians can make in student success. He models true collaboration by co-presenting with his school librarian about the importance of school libraries," said Rebecca Jackman.
According to Mr. Harvey, Mr. Barnes 'fosters, encourages, and demands an environment where the school library and librarian are part of every major initiative that takes place.'"
Sponsored by ProQuest, the $2,000 award honors a school administrator who has made worthy contributions to the operations of an exemplary school library and to advancing the role of the school library in the educational program.
The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.
Mr. Harvey elected president-elect of American Association of School Librarians
Carl A. Harvey II, school librarian for North Elementary School, Noblesville, Ind., has been elected president-elect of the American Association of School Librarians).
For his election platform, Harvey stated "I believe the future for our profession lies with involvement. School librarians are leaders in teaching 21st Century skills; yet, due to budget shortfalls positions are being cut. Being involved is convincing decision makers that library programs are a good use of scarce dollars. These are unsettling times, but being involved and working together we can fulfill a vision where school libraries are a necessity in every district and every school."
Harvey is currently a member of AASL's Board of Directors. He served as a chair of AASL's Affiliate Assembly in 2007, and has served on many other AASL committees. Outside of AASL, he serves as a board member for the Indiana Library Federation and has authored three publications, including the 2010 release "The 21st Century Elementary Library Media Program."
Harvey's school library program at North Elementary was the recipient of the AASL National School Library Program of the Year award (NSLPY), previously NSLMPY, in 2007. Of winning NSLPY Harvey says, "To me, my major accomplishment wasn't really mine at all, but rather a team effort of our entire school. It truly was an example of the hard work of our entire school -- library staff, teachers, administrators, students and parents." His exemplary work as a school librarian has won him numerous other awards and accolades.
Harvey will serve as president-elect during 2010-2011 under Nancy Everhart, AASL's current president-elect.
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