School Library Journal (SLJ) is now accepting applications for the 2026 School Librarian of the Year, sponsored by Scholastic.

Tell us what you are doing in your school library—or nominate a peer—and join an exceptional group of honored individuals, including Tim Jones (2025), Amanda Chacon (2024), Julie Stivers (2023), K.C. Boyd (2022), Amanda Jones and Diana Mokuau (2021), and Cicely Lewis (2020).

The annual award recognizes a K–12 library professional for outstanding achievement and the exemplary use of 21st-century tools and services to engage children and teens toward fostering multiple literacies.

To be eligible, applicants must meet state requirements for school library media certification and be currently employed in a media specialist, teacher librarian, or equivalent position. Nominees may work in a public or private school at a site level. Supervisors or managers of library programs (including at a district or regional level) are not eligible.

Previous applicants who did not receive the award are encouraged to apply again.

A winner and two finalists will be selected.

The winner will receive:

• $2,500 and a full-year Scholastic subscription to one digital program (valued up to $3500)
• $500 Scholastic Power of Story collection for their library
• A feature profile in the April 2026 issue of SLJ
• A trip to the American Library Association annual conference in Chicago, June 25–29, 2026, including hotel, airfare, registration, and a ticket to the Youth Media Awards banquet.

Two finalists will each receive:

• $250 Scholastic Power of Story collection for their library
• A full-year Scholastic subscription to one digital program (valued up to $1000).

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, December 18.