About the Giant Step Award

What are you and your library doing that makes you indispensable to your school or your community? If you are doing the type of innovative work that is having a significant impact on the children you serve and you can show it, then perhaps you are a candidate for the Giant Step Award.

Gale and School Library Journal have developed the annual Giant Step Award to recognize outstanding school and public libraries that have made significant improvement or created new initiatives in programs and services that greatly impact student learning and development, or enrich services both in the school and in the community. We are looking for programs that, over the past three years, have made a real difference in their institution.

New Judging Criteria for School, Public Libraries

In an effort to provide a more accurate comparison among nominees, the Giant Step Award will now include separate evaluation criteria for school and public libraries.

Up to $10,000 Awarded in Cash Prizes

Through its Giant Step Award, Gale will hand out $10,000 in cash prizes. The winning library or libraries will receive a gala celebration at the ALA Annual Conference and a cover story in the June issue of School Library Journal (SLJ). SLJ will also highlight other entrants deemed high achievers.