Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award
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The Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Exemplary Humanities Programming recognizes excellence in humanities programming in libraries that serve children in grades K-12.
The $5,000 award, presented annually by the ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵ (ALA) Public Programs Office, is sponsored by the ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵ’s in cooperation with the (AASL).
Applications for the 2023-2024 cycle are now closed. The next award cycle will begin in February 2025. To be notified about grant opportunities from ALA's Public Programs Office, sign up for the .
- Applications are now closed.
What counts as a humanities program?
The humanities program can be focused in many subject areas, including, but not limited to, social studies, poetry, drama, art, music, language arts, foreign language, and culture.
Programs should focus on broadening perspectives and helping students understand the wider world and their place in it.
The humanities program should be initiated and coordinated by the school librarian and exemplify the role of the library program in advancing the overall educational goals of the school.
What types of libraries and programs are eligible?
U.S. school libraries, public or private, that serve children in any combination of grades K-12 are eligible, provided the library is staffed by a state-certified librarian. Libraries are encouraged to self-nominate.
Nominated programs must have taken place during the current school year. Programs that are still in progress as of the award deadline are eligible.
Who was Sara Jaffarian?
Sara Jaffarian was a dedicated school librarian and longtime ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵmember. She began her career as a librarian in the public school system of Quincy, Massachusetts. She later served as the director of libraries for the Greensboro Public Schools in North Carolina and the Supervisor of Libraries for the Seattle Public Schools in Washington. Read more about Mrs. Jaffarian.
What is the award?
The Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award is an annual award to a school library that has conducted an exemplary program or program series in the humanities during the current school year. It consists of (1) a $5,000 cash award; (2) a crystal award; and (3) the promotion of the winner as a model program for other school libraries.
To be notified about other grant opportunities from ALA's Public Programs Office, sign up for the .
Who are the past winners?
Get inspired by these winning programs
- 2024: Tom C. Cark High School, San Antonio, Texas
- 2023: Hawthorne (Kent.) Elementary School (View a with educators Jamey Herdelin and Ashleigh Glickle about Hawthorne Elementary School's award-winning program, Growing Readers, Growing Leaders)
- 2022: Saint Marys (Penn.) Area Middle School (View a with librarian Ellen Stolarski and other school staff about St. Marys Middle School's award-winning program, Empathizing with Teens in Trauma: An Exploration of the Terezin Ghetto/Camp)
- 2021: (View a with librarian Carol Jones about Shawnee Middle School's award-winning program, Teaching the Tulsa Race Massacre with Guided Inquiry Design)
- 2020: (View a with Anne Armhein, previous media and instructional technology specialist at Batesville Intermediate School about the award-winning Junior Ambassadors program)
- 2019: (View a with media/technology specialist Karen Reiber and social studies teacher Jamie Hayner about their award-winning Poverty and Philanthropy Class.)
- 2018: (View a with librarian Kelly Klober about her award-winning program, Tales of the Crypt.)
- 2017: (View a with librarian Amy Harpe about her award-winning program, Everybody Has a Story)
- 2016:
- 2014: Perry Meridian Middle School, Indianapolis, Indiana
- 2013:
- 2012: Inter-American Magnet School, Chicago, Illinois
- 2011: Harmony Middle School, Overland Park, Kansas
- 2010: Jefferson Elementary School, Elmhurst, Illinois
- 2009: The Carroll Academy for International Studies, Houston, Texas
- 2008: Woodsdale Elementary School, Wheeling, West Virginia
- 2007: Central Elementary School, Wilmette, Illinois