Canadian School Libraries recognizes contributions to school library programs with three awards, the Angela Thacker Memorial Award, the Leading Learning Implementation Award, and the Donald Hamilton School Library Advocacy Award. The awards are presented bi-annually as part of CSL’s Treasure Mountain Canada Research Symposium.

Angela Thacker

The Angela Thacker Memorial Award was established in 2001 in memory of Angela Thacker; teacher-librarian, library coordinator, and school library colleague, mentor, leader and advocate who served the Association for Teacher-Librarianship in Canada (ATLC) and the Canada School Library Association (CSLA) in many capacities. This award honours teacher-librarians who have made contributions to the profession through publications, productions, research or professional development activities that deal with topics relevant to teacher-librarianship and/or school library learning commons.

Learn more about the Angela Thacker Memorial Award

Leading Learning

The Leading Learning Implementation Award has been established to recognize, honour and applaud school districts, provinces and territories who have developed and/or enhanced their school library learning commons on a systemic basis, founded on the tenets, principles and continuous growth and renewal focus of the five standards of Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada.

This award honours school districts, provinces and territories that focus on the impact that implementing Leading Learning standards has had on student/teacher/community learning, with relevance at local, provincial or national levels.

Learn more about the Leading Learning Implementation Award

Donald Hamilton

The Donald Hamilton School Library Advocacy Award honours an individual, group or organization who have publicly and successfully promoted school libraries and/or teacher-librarians through the media, organized events, presentations or through public advocacy. The inaugural award will be presented at the Canadian School Libraries Treasure Mountain Canada Symposium in 2025.

Learn more about the Donald Hamilton School Library Advocacy Award