Style Guide

FOR WRITERS AND PRESENTERS

This style guide helps writers and presenters reference the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries clearly and consistently. It outlines preferred terminology, capitalization, citations, and references to support accurate, uniform use of the standards across AASL publications and presentations.

Common Terms

To promote consistent language across AASL publications, presentations, and communications, AASL has adopted the following terminology.

Exceptions may include references to specific roles or titles, such as student, classroom teacher, or teacher librarian, when those terms are required for accuracy or are part of an official title or quotation. Other alternatives that allow for closer alignment with AASL terminology include qualifiers and variants such as: other educators, educator partners, content-area educators, classroom educators, and student learners.

When the school context is already established, librarian may be used in place of school librarian. However, school librarian is preferred, especially whenever clarification is helpful.

This follows previous updates to AASL’s standards, as when AASL updated school library media specialist to school librarian. AASL asks all contributors to use these terms in content submitted for publication or presentation. 

Capitalization 

Within the National School Library Standards, capitalize the following terms when referring to elements of the standards: 

• • Shared Foundations 
  • Key Commitments 
  • Domains 
  • Competencies 
  • Alignments 
  • Common Beliefs

The individual Shared Foundations—Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, and Engage—should be capitalized when referring to the Shared Foundations. Always maintain this order when listing the Shared Foundations.

The individual Domains—Think, Create, Share, and Grow—should be capitalized when referring to the Domains. Always maintain this order when listing the Domains.

First Reference 

On first mention, use the full title:  

National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries

On subsequent mentions, the following abbreviations are acceptable:

• • National School Library Standards
  • AASL Standards 

To avoid confusion with other educational acronyms, NSLS should not be used in official AASL publications.

The AASL Standards Integrated Frameworks are six integrated frameworks organized around the Shared Foundations: Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Explore, Engage.

When referring to the individual frameworks, use these official titles:

• • AASL Standards Framework for Learners
  • AASL Standards Framework for School Librarians
  • AASL Standards Framework for School Libraries

Use the full title of the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries on first mention before referring to any of these framework titles.

Competencies or Alignments in Narrative Text

When referencing a specific Competency or Alignment:

• • Identify the framework (Learner, School Librarian, or School Library).
  • Include the complete indicator (Roman numeral, capital letter, Arabic numeral). 
  • Preserve the original wording when quoting.

In narrative text, a reference might look like this: 

School librarians can counter the learner’s natural reaction to accept quick answers by intentionally developing problem-solving skills through use of “cycles of design, implementation, and reflection.” (AASL 2026, School Librarian V.B.1.)

When used in a bullet list or lesson plan, the following examples vary in formality but include the necessary elements and demonstrate acceptable formats: 

II.B.2. Learners adjust their awareness of the global learning community by evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities.

AASL Standards Framework for Learners: II.B.2. Evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities.

Learner II.B.2. Evaluating a variety of perspectives during learning activities.

Citations and Bibliography

Citations should be used when quoting or referencing the National School Library Standards or any of AASL’s publications in articles, books, or presentations. AASL and ALA follow the Chicago Manual of Style in non-serial publications.

Citations for references to the National School Library Standards or specific content within the publication should be formatted with the organization name, publication year, and page number(s) when applicable. For example:

(AASL 2026)

(AASL 2026, 89)

(AASL 2026, 140–141)

Citations for references to specific Competencies or Alignments in the AASL Standards frameworks should include the organization name, publication year, specific framework, and numeric and letter indicators: (AASL 2026, [Learner/School Librarian/School Library] [Numeric/Letter Indicator]). For example:

(AASL 2026, Learner IV.C.3.)

(AASL 2026, School Librarian III.B.2.)

(AASL 2026, School Library II.A.1.)

Citations for references in a footnote or endnote within the same publication or chapter should include a complete reference on first listing and may use an abbreviated reference in subsequent notes. For example:

American Association of School Librarians, National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries, 2nd ed. (American Library Association, 2026), Explore Key Commitment: “Discover and innovate in a growth mindset developed through experience and reflection.”

AASL, National School Library Standards, School Librarian V.D.1.: “Scaffolding iterative challenge-response processes.”

Bibliography entries should follow this format:

American Association of School Librarians. 2026. National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. 2nd ed. Chicago: American Library Association.

American Association of School Librarians. 2018. National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries. Chicago: American Library Association.