IASL Awards

IASL Books for Children Award

To donate to this award's fund, please visit the donations page.

This award of US $1000 provides books for children in developing countries, and is funded by IASL members and supporters. It is funded by IASL members and supporters; in any one year, there may be several recipients. The award was previously known as the UNESCO Project #554 Books for Children Award.  Please note that no textbooks or curriculum books will be funded through this grant.

Guidelines for Applicants

The deadline for receipt of applications: 1 April 2025

Applicants should demonstrate their ability to make effective use of the funding by responding to the questions on the application form. Two letters of support must accompany the application. These may come from the school principal or other designated education or library authority. The letters should:

• Provide details of the school or institution and its library; and
• Guarantee facilities and availability of personnel to care for books.

The award winner must submit a short report to the IASL Secretariat within 6 months of receiving the award funds, describing what types of books were purchased and how the school is using them. Photos are encouraged, but not required, as this will be included in the IASL Newsletter to members.

Applications may be submitted in print or electronic form.

Grant funds may not be used for textbooks or curriculum books.

The application should be sent to the Chairperson of the Awards Committee of IASL, at

International Association of School Librarianship
P.O. Box 684
Jefferson City, MO  65102
USA
Email:iasl@c2cpro.solutions
Fax: 1-573-635-2858

Applications will be reviewed by an international panel of researchers and scholars.

Application Form

Applicants may select and print this part of the web page or copy and paste into a separate
document. Mail, fax, or email your filled-in application to the Chairperson of the Awards
Committee at the address above.

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IASL Books for Children Award Application Form

Name: ___________________________________________________________________

Position: _________________________________________________________________

School/Institution: _________________________________________________________

Postal Address: ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Country: _________________________________________________________________

Email Address: ____________________________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________________________________

Fax: _____________________________________________________________________

Please describe:

Your school or community setting:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

The current and/or planned library facility (shelves, space, collection size, opening hours, personnel):

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Who uses this facility?:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

What sort of books will you buy?:

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

Are you a member of IASL?   [  ] Yes     [  ] No

Note: Two letters of support must accompany this application.

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Past Recipients

• 2024 Kongoni Community Library, Kenya
• 2023 Ministry of Education, Seychelles
  
• 2022 Mtupane School Community Library, Zimbabwe
• 2021 Government Secondary School Mararaba Udege, Nigeria
• 2020 École de Yesu Aponya, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  
• 2019 All Saints Christian School, Uganda
  
• 2018 Little Stars School in India
• 2017 Manna Project, Ecaudor
• 2016 Sharada Siwakoti, Nepal
• 2015 Matenda School Library, Zimbabwe
• 2014 George Garnett Makhalira, Mphando Full Primary School, Malawi; and Katie Messick, Manna Project International, USA
  
• 2013 Caroline Arbeleche, Colegio Yvynara, Melo, Uruguay; and Reuben Matolo Masemola, Pfunzo Ndi Tshedza Primary School, Pretoria, South Africa
• 2012 Hosea Tokwe, Midlands State University-Matanda School, Gweru, Zimbabwe and  Laura Koonce, Dalipebinaw Elementary School, Yap, Micronesia   
• 2011 Bolgrad Gymnasium, Ukraine; and Romeas Hek High School, Cambodia.
• 2010 Api fo'ou College, Tonga; and Nongsalanonsawang School, Thailand.
• 2009 Library Linkages Foundation, Zimbabwe on behalf of the pupils and teachers of Sacred Heart Primary School, Zimbabwe; Kiptagich Community Library, Kenya.
• 2008 Kenya School Library Association, Lessos, Kenya on behalf of pupils and teachers from Lessos Educational Centre; St Joseph's Primary School, Swaziland, South Africa; Tipu Model School and College Kabal Swat, Pakistan.
• 2007  Shalom Christian Academy, Uganda; Bridge of Peace Inc., Florida, USA on behalf of schools in La Botija Mountain in southwestern Honduras; Beitbridge Primary School, Zimbabwe.
• 2006  University of Northeastern Philippines High School Library, Iriga City, Philippines; The Heritage School, Harare, Zimbabwe; and St Joseph's Combined Prepartory School, Oyugis, Rachuonyo District, Kenya
• 2005  Mdlazi Primary School, Murchison, South Africa; and Mikes Kelemen High School, Covasna, Romania
• 2004  Nuukata Primary School , Oshakati, Namibia; and Mazapan School, La Ceiba Honduras
• 2003  Isecha Academy, Kenya; Bright Hope Library, Ethiopia; Holy Childhood High School, Jamaica.
• 2002  Jahneen General Education School, Oman; Action Solidarite Retour, Rwanda; Outer Islands High School, Micronesia; EGB 21 Primary School, Argentina; Bangizwe Resource Centre, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
• 2001  Academy of Jesus, Las Pinas City, Philippines
• 2000  Khodobi Primary School, Gazankulu, South Africa
• 1999  Budha Dal Public School, Patiala, Punjab, India; Friends School, Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine via Israel; Isipathana College, Colombo, Sri Lanka; Gando Secondary School, Togo, West Africa
• 1998  Qhayiya Secondary School and Lukhanyo Combined School, South Africa
• 1997  Scoala Generala Nr.6, Sfintu Gheorghe, Romania (Adele Edith Barti, Librarian)
• 1996  Oracabassa Primary School, Jamaica
• 1995  Southern Secondary School, Maldives
• 1994  Serigo Maunicio School, Bolivia
• 1993  Lusoti High School, Swaziland
• 1992  Willes Little Flower School, Bangladesh
• 1990  International College, Lebanon
• 1989  Annie Walsh School, Sierra Leone
• 1988  College Los Nogales, Columbia
• 1987  Franklin School, Jamaica
• 1984  Lavington School, Kenya
• 1983  Pototan School, Philippines