Distinguished Service Award

Distinguished Service may be granted to only those members who have consistently provided leadership and continuous service to the Maryland Association of School Librarians/Maryland Educational Media Organization.

2009 Sally Ladd
Project Coordinator, MDK12 Digital Library Project
  Sally was honored for her contributions to library media programs across the State of Maryland as the Project Coordinator of the MDK12 Digital Library.Sally Ladd’s demonstrated commitment to the project and skill in implementation helped schools across the state provide high quality digital content to their students and teachers — provided a cost effective way to purchase those resources — and provided leadership in the provision of professional development in their use.Over the course of the project’s seven years, school systems have saved more than $600,000 and, with these cost savings, some school systems have been able to purchase more — and a broader range of — digital content that support a wider-range of learning needs.  Some school systems were able to purchase digital content and provide access to students and their teachers for the first time. School Library Media Administrators and School Library Media Specialists around the state respect and value the difficult work Sally did on their behalf, and for their schools and students.Throughout Sally Ladd’s tenure as Project Coordinator, she provided technical support to schools systems, acted as a liaison with vendors, always provided timely and important communication to all parties, made many presentations related to the project and databases, and helped push forward plans for sustaining the project once it could no longer be funded through the Title II D – Ed Tech program.

 

Because of Sally’s efforts, school libraries continue to be the hub of learning in schools by providing these valuable 21st century resources to students, teachers, and staff.