GRASL Awards & Grants

All GRASL Award Applications due March 27, 2026, except for KBA Book Grants.

A.) GRASL Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose: This award is given to an individual who has given continuous, sustained support to the school library profession throughout his/her lifetime.

Eligibility:

1.) Nominees should be paid members of GRASL.

2. ) Nominees should have served in the school library profession for at least 10 years.

3.) Nominees should have exhibited leadership within the profession. Minimally, nominees should be active in GRASL.  The ideal nominee will have had leadership roles at the state (KASL) and national levels (AASL).

4.)  Nominees should be examples of embracing change and growth.  They should have visionary characteristics that helped the school libraries they serve continually move forward.

5.)  Nominees should have served as advocates for the profession at the local and regional level.  The ideal nominee would also have been an advocate for the profession at the state and national level. 

6.) Nominees will be solicited by an awards committee. 

7.)  In addition to the nomination form, at least 1-3 letters of recommendation must be submitted.  

8.)  The award does not have to be presented every year.

9.)  Applications will be reviewed annually by the awards committee to decide which candidate, if any, deserves the award.

10.)  The award will be presented during the Spring GRASL PD.

11.)  GRASL nomination form must be submitted to GRASL by March 27, 2026.  See scoring rubric.

12.)  Winning at the GRASL level will automatically nominate the recipient at the KASL level. KASL nomination form must be submitted by April 15, 2026.   

B.) GRASL Outstanding  School Media Librarian

Purpose: To recognize the school media librarian who has made outstanding contributions to the profession on local, district and state levels.

Eligibility: 

1.) Nominees should be paid members of GRASL.

2.) Bachelors degree and 19 hours of library science

3.) At least 5 years of school library service

4.) Active member of GRASL and KASL

5.) Has given his or her time and effort for the advancement of school libraries in Kentucky on both local and state levels

6.) Active in community life

7.) Personality that commands respect from other librarians, school personnel and the public.  

8.) GRASL nomination form must be submitted to GRASL by March 27, 2026. See scoring rubric.

9.) Winning at the GRASL level will automatically nominate the recipient at the KASL level. KASL nomination form must be submitted by April 15, 2026. 

C. ) GRASL Student Technology Award 

Purpose: To recognize an outstanding Green River district school student (grades K-12) who has demonstrated leadership through technology activities coordinated with the school curriculum.

Award: $50.00 will be presented in April.

GRASL nomination form must be submitted to GRASL by March 27, 2026. See scoring rubric.

Winning at the GRASL level will automatically nominate the recipient at the KASL level. KASL nomination form must be submitted by April 15, 2026. 

D.) Jeanne Cleveland Memorial Grant

Purpose: To encourage professional learning in the field of library science

Eligibility: 

1.) Nominees should be paid members of GRASL.

2.) Must be involved with a Kentucky school library. 

3.) Grant may be used in one of two ways:

a.) Professional training in the area of school librarianship (i.e. summer refresher, AASL conference, KYSTE conference, ISTE conference, NBCT, GRREC Academies, Rank I, etc.)

b.) Instituting a pilot program within a school library.

Award: One grant will be awarded yearly, if applications warrant, of up to $250.00. 

GRASL Application must be submitted to  GRASL by March 27th, 2026. See scoring rubric.

The recipient will automatically be nominated for KASL's  Eleanor W. Simmons Memorial Grant if the recipient is a KASL member.  KASL bestows two of these awards each year worth $500 each.  KASL nomination form must be submitted by April 15, 2025.

E.  KBA Book Grants

Purpose: To promote "well-reviewed literature that reflects a variety of experiences and points of view" (from KBA Master Lists).

Eligibility:

1. ) Must be a paid member of GRASL.

2. ) Selection will be based on your current KBA participation, your demonstration of need, and your willingness to create a product to share.  

Applications for KBA Book Grants will be accepted from April 21 - May 21, 2026.   See scoring rubric. 

Award: Winners will select ONE SET from the  2026-2027 KBA-nominated books (K-2; 3-5; 6-8) donated by Mike Poynter and Rainbow Books. 

Winners should create a product to share on the KYLMS Listserv and to post on the KBA Resources webpage.  They will also be expected to thank Mike Poynter and Rainbow Books by handwritten thank-you note, social media shout-out, etc.

Winners will be announced on or before May 31 via email and on GRASL social media.

Other Awards Available from KASL

Nominations due April 15, 2026

All KASL award information can be found at http://www.kasl.us/kasl-awards.html  

A. ) Donna Hornsby Joint Technology Project Award 

Purpose: To promote the use of technology in the library media center by teachers and students; to increase cooperative planning among library media specialists and teachers; and to enhance the acquisition of information skills.

Award: $400.00 to be used jointly by the library media specialist(s) and teacher(s) applicants awarded at the Summer Refresher awards ceremony.

B.) Outstanding School Library Website Award 

Purpose: To recognize an outstanding school library media website. 

Eligibility: School library media specialist must be a KASL member. 

C.) Jesse Stuart Media Award 

Purpose: To recognize development of media relating to Kentucky. 

D.) KASL Award of Merit

Purpose: 

1.) To honor those who through individual leadership have advocated effective school library media services in meaningful educational partners.

2.) To recognize the responsible and influential role of those other than local school building administrators in developing successful school library media programs. To stimulate planning, implementing and support of the school library services which are essential to a meaningful educational program.

Eligibility: state, county, or district school superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of curricula and/or instruction, school supervisors, state education department personnel, teachers, parents, school board members, supportive citizens and organizations. 

E.) KASL Service Award for School Administrators

Purpose: To recognize and honor the administrators who have made worthy contributions to the operation of effective school library media services and to stimulate planning, implementing, and support of the library services in the school.

Questions? Contact GRASL at graslky2@gmail.com, or Claire at claire.lanham@owensboro.kyschools.us 

Designed December 2020. Updated September 2025.