Announcing Dr. Sheri Anita Massey as the winner of the 2023 Maryland School Librarian of the Year award which honors a school librarian for exemplary service and outstanding achievements in the field of school library media. The recipient of the award was announced at the Maryland Association of School Librarians Conference in Linthicum, Maryland (April 15, 2023).

Dr. Massey earned her Ph.D. in Information Studies and her Master of Library Science degrees from the University of Maryland College of Information Studies. She also received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. A former classroom teacher and university instructor, Dr. Massey is currently the school librarian at Cabin John Middle School in Maryland’s Montgomery County Public Schools. Her research interests include digital libraries for children; the information behavior of urban youth; and, the development, implementation, and evaluation of school library media programs to promote student learning.

A statement from our winner, Dr. Massey:
Winning MASL’s School Librarian of the Year award is an incredible honor and a source of great pride for me. It feels fantastic to be recognized for the hard work, dedication, and passion that I have poured into my profession over the years. It also inspires me to continue to strive for excellence and to be a positive influence in the lives of others.

My goal for the year is to advocate for school libraries and the important role they play in promoting literacy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. I also want to empower other librarians to continue to provide innovative and engaging library programs and services to their school communities.  I also want to keep working closely with teachers and administrators to integrate library resources and services into the curriculum, and to ensure that every student has access to the tools they need to succeed.

Overall, winning this award has given me a renewed sense of purpose.  Thank you, MASL!

As a school librarian, I absolutely love my job. It's an incredibly fulfilling and meaningful role that allows me to make a real difference in the lives of my students and the school community. There are so many aspects of my job that I find awesome.

First and foremost, I'm passionate about promoting literacy and lifelong learning. I believe that reading and learning are essential for personal growth and development, and I'm dedicated to helping my students discover the joy and value of books and other resources. It's incredibly rewarding to see students develop their reading skills and explore new topics and ideas.

In addition to promoting literacy, I also love the opportunity to help students develop critical thinking skills. In today's world, there's so much information available, and it's essential for students to learn how to evaluate sources and think analytically. By providing access to reliable information and teaching critical thinking skills, I feel like I'm helping students become better informed, more thoughtful, and more engaged citizens.

Another aspect of my job that I love is the sense of community that I can help create in the school. The library is often a place where students, teachers, and staff can come together to collaborate, share ideas, and support one another. By fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, I hope to help create a sense of community that enriches the entire school experience. 

Technology is another area where I find my job awesome. As a school librarian, I have the opportunity to embrace the latest tools and resources and help students develop the skills they need to succeed in a digital world. Whether it's teaching coding, providing access to online resources, or helping students create multimedia projects, I'm excited about the ways that technology can enhance learning and creativity.

Finally, the most rewarding aspect of my job is knowing that I'm making a positive difference in the lives of my students. From helping struggling readers to supporting student projects that make a real-world impact, I know that my work has the potential to shape students' lives in profound ways.  I could not have won this award without the support of my students and colleagues.  It's an incredible feeling, and it's what motivates me to be the best librarian I can be.

About the Award
As the recipient of the award, Dr. Massey received a Maryland themed basket donated by Lauri and David Taylor of Taylor Book Group, access to three Rosen Digital Databases, a plaque from MASL, and complimentary registration to MASL’s 2024 Conference provided by MASL.

To be considered for this award, nominees met the basic eligibility requirements, including being a current member of MASL, a Certified School Librarian, actively serving as a school librarian in a public, private, or independent school in Maryland that serves any students in grades PreK-12, and serving in the same role/position for three or more years.

The MASL Conference is the only conference devoted solely to the needs of Maryland
school librarians and is held every other year. The primary focus of the conference is
to provide continuing education activities and professional development events for
school librarians. The MASL conference is also an excellent educational and business
forum for the library community.

Submission Information
The submission period for the 2024 conference is July 15, 2024.
Acceptance notifications will go out the first week of August.
Proposals should address how the workshop session will support the AASL National
School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries.
Proposals should relate to one of the content strands - Inquire, Include, Collaborate,
Curate, Explore, and Engage. These content strands can be found in the Shared
Foundations within the Standards Frameworks. Proposal language should reflect the
language found within the National School Library Standards.

Proposals should relate to our theme Up for the Challenge in that the workshop
sessions should be original, creative, and showcase advocacy and problem solving
regarding the challenges that libraries and librarians currently face. Proposals can
highlight best practices in library programming, school and district leadership and
policies, library funding, communicating with the stakeholders, advocating for
intellectual freedom, inclusion, and equity.

Proposals should contain an outline of the presentation which demonstrates how
learning objectives will be achieved, and also includes strategies for effective
implementation of new ideas and technology.

Proposals should include at least one hands-on learning activity for participants,
incorporate activities for multiple learning styles, and contain elements of reflection
and discussion.

MASL is also looking for proposals for a strand of workshops for participants who are
new to the library media profession. Proposals should contain insightful information
from seasoned professionals and easy to implement program ideas such as
0rganization of library collection and materials, communication with stakeholders,
lesson planning, or fundraising, just to name a few.
Proposals should facilitate a deeper understanding of the AASL National School
Library Standards for Learners.
Sessions are 50-minutes long.
We are soliciting proposals that should be no more than 300 words.

MASL 2024 Call for Proposals