Your Voice, Your Standards

Learning From and With You

The journey to develop the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, and then to update its second edition, has proven to be rich with learning, discussion, and opportunities. These standards mark a critical milestone for the school library field which has activated school librarians and connections across the educational landscape.

The creation and the evolution of your National School Library Standards and its supporting content and materials has at every stage been guided by the community. For more than a decade, AASL has scaffolded surveys and focus groups with members and non-members, school library professionals and education partners. These community touchstones have informed committees of your peers that have dedicated themselves to this important work.

AASL remains committed to a community-engaged and data-driven approach to standards development, support, and advocacy to ensure school librarians and libraries remain relevant and indispensable in contemporary educational environments.

The periodic review and evaluation of content and materials that support school librarians and educational leaders implementing national standards is an important activity of the association.

The research phases informing the National School Library Standards collected quantitative and qualitative data, beginning with online surveys and leading to more in-depth focus group discussions. The following executive reports summarize these research findings with insights and opportunities across the school library field and with collaborators.

(COMING SOON!) Evaluation of National School Library Standards in Practice. Executive Summary, 2025. https://standards.aasl.org/research/summary2025
AASL Standards Evaluation and Implementation Research. Executive Summary, June 2020. https://standards.aasl.org/research/summary2020
AASL Member and Stakeholder Consultation Process on the Learning Standards and Program Guidelines. Executive Summary, October 2016. https://standards.aasl.org/research/summary2016

Project Kick-off	August 2023
Development of Online Surveys	Sept – Oct 2023
Online Surveys Distribution	November 2023
Data Analysis and Focus Group Development	Dec 2023 – Jan 2024
Virtual Focus Groups	February 2024
Analysis / Refine Scope of Work	March – April 2024
AASL Chapters Focus Group	Sept – Dec 2024
UMSI Proposal and Third-Party Analysis	Sept 2024 – April 2025
Executive Summary Development	May – July 2025
Publish Report	Aug – Sept 2025

Who is conducting this research?

AASL is project managing and facilitating the research process and technical logistics, guided by the models used with earlier research surrounding the AASL Standards. The AASL Standards Committee is instructing the research direction and analysis. The committee and the AASL Board of Directors will use the findings to help inform the scope of work and content development, as well as strategic planning in development of support tools, professional development, and community advocacy.

Who was invited to participate in the research?

The school library community, including both AASL members and non-members, is the primary audience for this research. Secondary audiences include collaborators in the educational community, including building-level and district administrators, classroom and content-area educators, and other instructional collaborators. As a special audience, AASL also collected feedback from AASL Chapter leaders.

Can I still participate in the research?

While the formal research for this edition has concluded, AASL welcomes continuous feedback as we work to develop ancillary products and resources. Further or follow-up research needs may also be identified by subsequent committees.

If you have general feedback, please email aasl@ala.org.

If you are not an AASL member and wish to join a mailing list for standards-related updates, including research opportunities, please share your contact information with AASL.

Will AASL share its research with the profession?

Yes. AASL will post a full research summary report of its combined findings from the online surveys and focus groups in the fall of 2025, with the launch of the second edition of the National School Library Standards.

AASL is committed to keeping its membership, school library professionals, and the education community informed as we work to assess and apply community needs to the National School Library Standards. AASL will share updates through press releases, e-mails to membership, Knowledge Quest blog posts, the AASL Digest and School Library SmartBrief e-newsletters, and other vehicles as information becomes available.

Additional questions?

If you have questions specifically regarding the AASL Standards online surveys, focus groups research, or other planning and implementation questions, please contact AASL at 312-280-4382 or aasl@ala.org.

American Association of School Librarians
Transforming Learning

225 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601
(800) 545-2433 x 4382
aasl@ala.org | www.aasl.org

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