The School Library Journal/Gale Giant Step Award Application
The Giant Step Application Process
Who is eligible?
U.S. and Canadian school library media centers (an individual library media center or entire district’s library media services programs) and the youth services departments inU.S. and Canadian public libraries (a single library/branch library or an entire library system). Previous applicants are encouraged to reapply if the project meets the time frame.
What will judges look for in an award application?
Quantitative and qualitative documentationthat proves significant advancements in your library that have most improved services to students in the last three years.
What documentation should I provide?
Supportive information will be helpful to the judges. Feel free to include innovative projects from students, planning documents, annual reports, brochures, newsletters, statistical reports, press clippings, videos, photos, Web site addresses, or printed Web site pages.
Please provide six copies of the application form, along with a thorough explanation of how your library has taken a giant step. Applications must be received by March 5, 2007.
Mail to:
SLJ/Gale Giant Step Award
School Library Journal
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
Who will judge the entries?
School Library Journal editors will prescreen applications. Judges from school and public libraries and Gale will select a school and a public library winner.
The School Library Journal/Gale Giant Step Award Application
Name of school/library: ________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Name of person applying:_______________________________________________
Title:______________________________________________________________
Phone:______________________________
e-mail:______________________________
If school, check off type:
( ) Single public school
( ) Public school district
( ) Private or independent school
( ) Other, please describe
Indicate grade levels served: ________________
Enrollment:__________________________________
If public library, check off type:
( ) Single library
( ) Branch library
( ) Library system
( ) Other, please describe
School(s) your library serves: _____________________________________________
Check off all youth populations served:
( ) Children
( ) Young adult
Approximately how many people under age 18 does your library serve? _______________
What is your library’s total annual materials budget? _____________________
All applications require the signature of a certified media specialist/librarian:
___________________________________________ Date: ______________
GIANT STEP QUESTIONS
Please answer the following questions, each on a separate sheet of paper. Send six copies of each sheet.
1. Tell us about your library prior to taking a giant step. What audience did you serve, what was lacking, what was the circulation, what were the staff and budget?
2. Explain the program that resulted in your taking a giant step. Be specific in terms of how your services, programs, and collections have changed. Indicate goals, partnerships, collaboration between public and school libraries, funding sources that helped you meet your objectives.
3. Compare the improved climate and current relationship with the community the library serves today versus the way things were prior to the improvements. What needs did your program fulfill and how did they positively impact your community?
4. Explain how you were able to obtain buy-in from either your administrator (school library) or your library director (public library) that led to better support of your program.
5. Detail your long-term strategy for success, and how you plan on sustaining a high level of service?
6. Explain how you measured the impact of your program, and its impact on students, teachers, and parents. Statistics, benchmarks, and anecdotal information would be helpful.
7. What guidelines, professional literature, resources did you turn to make this giant step possible?
8. Could your program be easily replicated in other libraries? If so, how?