Rights and Permission for Use

“Developing, implementing, and articulating a vision for the profession through standards and frameworks” is one of the eight essential functions of AASL.

The National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries represents a core works of the association.  It is AASL’s goal to see the standards used and implemented while at the same time ensuring that the value and integrity of the standards are maintained as the work of the association.

In addition, the AASL Standards Framework for Learners and other support materials available on the AASL Standards Web Portal [standards.aasl.org] are permissible to use, reproduce, and distribute for private, non-commercial, and educational purposes only.

See general guidelines on rights and permissions.

If in doubt, contact AASL.

Personal or Educational Use

Select examples of permissible use:

The PDF versions of the documents available on the AASL Standards Web Portal and then AASL Web site are intended for personal and educational use. Printing or forwarding copies for your own private use or to share with others for purely informational or educational purposes is permissible. (e.g. distribution to a class or a faculty meeting).

Inserting excerpts of standards documents (e.g. specific Shared Foundation, Key Commitment, Domain, Competency, Alignment, etc.) that demonstrate the application of the work (e.g. a lesson or unit plan) is permissible.

Inserting excerpts of standards documents into training materials that demonstrate the application of the work (e.g. a conference presentation) is permissible.

Incorporating a link to standards documents in communications (e.g. posting a link on your website, citing in an electronic discussion, including in a blog posting) is permissible.

Select examples of uses requiring permission:

Inserting of the entire document or a substantial portion of the text into a derivative work (e.g. a curriculum guide) requires permission.

Posting of the PDF (e.g. to a website or embedded in a curriculum document) requires permission.

Speaking Engagement/Presentation Use

Permissible presentations

As outlined in AASL’s Rights and Permissions personal or educational use of the National School Library Standards for presentations is permissible. Examples of such use could include:

• Presenting for a school or district presentation
• Presenting for a state meeting in which a fee is not charged
• Presenting at a concurrent session within a larger conference for which a full conference registration fee may have been charged
• Incorporating into a presentation on a non-standards topic (e.g. “Applying the new National School Library Standards to Guided Inquiry”)

Permission required

The AASL National School Library Standards are the product of the association and therefore any request for a formal presentation on the National School Library Standards needs to be processed through AASL. As with any permission request this is to ensure that commercial entities are not profiting from AASL’s intellectual property without a proper licensing agreement but also to ensure that content is accurate, and application of material is appropriate.

Examples of presentations that require permission:

• Presenting as a keynote at a state, regional or other conference/workshop
• Presenting at a state, regional or other conference/workshop at an event in which a fee is charged by the speaker or for the session
• Presenting a webinar in which a registration fee is charged and/or underwriting is secured through vendor support.

As with any permission these are listed as examples and does not mean that if an example is not listed that it can be assumed as permissible. This list also does not mean that permission will not be granted, but rather than material must be reviewed and approved, and presenter approved through AASL.

If a school district would like to contract with an individual to assist in implementing the National School Library Standards the following must be clearly understood:

• Contracted personnel may receive compensation for travel and time
• School district must be made aware that presentations and materials are not “AASL” and reflect the individual presenter’s interpretation
• Proper citation and attribution must be noted on all presenter materials

Commercial Use

Permission must be requested for any use that falls outside of the parameters defined in fair use guidelines. See material at link above for general guidance.

How to Request Permission

Requests can be made through the ALA Rights & Permissions online form.

Questions may be directed to:

Allison Cline
Deputy Executive Director
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)
50 E. Huron, Chicago, IL 60611
Toll free: (800) 545-2433, x 4385  |  Direct line: (312) 280-4385