Section of School Librarians | Our Awards and Scholarships

Awards

*2024 Awards applications are open. Use the links on this page to apply.

NYLA/SSL Literary Awards

The 3 Apples Book Award

Launched in 2007, The 3 Apples Book Award is awarded annually in three different categories: Young Reader, Children, and Teen. The award was developed to encourage the joys of reading for pleasure. What makes the award unique is that titles are culled and nominated entirely by kids, for kids. School and Children’s Librarians from across the state oversee the process, but the titles chosen are generated entirely by participating youth.

Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature

In 1991, NYLA/SSL established the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature. It recognizes a New York State author who has demonstrated, through a body of work, a consistently superior quality that supports the curriculum and the educational goals of New York State Schools. The award is named for a group of 19th century New York State authors who wished to nurture a national literature. It is presented annually to a living author/illustrator currently residing in New York State.

Administrator Awards

Beatrice E. Griggs Elementary Administrator's Award

This award recognizes an Elementary Administrator who has been responsible for initiation, maintenance, and/or the improvement of an Elementary School Library Program in a New York state district during the past 3-5 years. The recipient will receive a plaque acknowledging their support of the School Library Program and will be our guest at the SSL Conference Banquet.

NYLA SSL Secondary Administrator's Award

This award recognizes a Secondary or District Administrator who has been responsible for initiation, maintenance, and/or improvement of a Secondary School Library Program in a New York state district during the past 3-5 years. The recipient will receive a plaque acknowledging their support of the School Library Program.

Scholarships

*2024 scholarship applications are open. Use the links on this page to apply.

NYLA/SSL Conference Scholarships

Sponsored by the Knickerbocker Raffle Auction, and the Laura Wedge Endowment
This award/scholarship recognizes a School Librarian who is a leader or emerging leader in the area of school librarianship. The recipient must be able to attend the conference in its entirety.

Beatrice E. Griggs Conference Award/Scholarship

Sponsored by the Beatrice E. Griggs Endowment
This award/scholarship is given to an individual who is currently enrolled in a MLS program working towards the School Library Media Certification. The recipient will receive $1000 from the Beatrice E.Griggs Endowment to go towards their educational expenses, PLUS registration costs for the SSL Conference. You must be able to attend the conference in its entirety.

NYLA/SSL Conference Scholarships

Sponsored by the Knickerbocker Raffle and the Laura Wedge Endowment
These scholarships recognize a School Librarian seeking professional benefits through the continuing education opportunities and collegiality provided by attending a SSL Conference in its entirety. The applicant also should be a leader or emerging leader in the area of school librarianship. The recipient will receive $500 towards conference expenses.

Carol A. Kearney Leadership Institute Scholarships

Sponsored by the Leadership Institute Auction and SSL
These scholarships recognize school librarians who want to gain leadership skills and professional growth through continuing education in the collegial and informal atmosphere provided at the Carol A. Kearney Summer Leadership Institute. The applicant should also be a leader or emerging leader in the area of school librarianship. The recipient will receive the cost of registration and one night in a hotel.  You must be able to attend the institute in its entirety.