Endorsements

Dorcas has the smarts, style, creativity, and common sense to be a superb president of AASL.  I have worked with Dorcas in ALA and AASL, and she is a seasoned and thoughtful leader who gets things done. She thinks big, but she factors in the essential nature of getting everyone on board and her process is always about creating and building school library programs where kids thrive as readers, learners, and doers.  She understands and models the role of being a proactive and vital building level school librarian, and she has consistently, through the years, reached out to ask others to share new ideas and methods. Collaboration is her mantra, however, her real professional hallmark is that she always rolls up her sleeves and models frontline hard work.  I couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities for AASL’s future with Dorcas as president.  She will inevitably make it fun, real, and eternally worthwhile because she loves what she does, and she truly believes that the library is the heart of any quality school. I wholeheartedly support Dorcas Hand to be AASL’s next president.
               Steve Matthews
               Librarian, Foxcroft School, Middleburg, Va.

Dorcas is an articulate and talented school librarian.  She has a passion for the importance of the 21st Century school library programs.  She will weave all this together as she helped move AASL and the profession forward.  
              Carl Harvey, School Librarian, Noblesville IN
              AASL President 2011-2012

Dorcas Hand has proven herself to be a highly productive member of the AASL Advocacy Committee, and she always manages to hold on to her sense of humor and great smile.  Her work ethic, knowledge of Advocacy, and her upbeat attitude are all attributes every AASL President needs.
                Hilda Weisburg, School Librarian's Workshop
                Chair, AASL Advocacy Committee

It has been a privilege to work with Dorcas on a local advocacy campaign to bring attention to the need for certified librarians to staff the public schools in our large urban district. Her unflagging enthusiasm and ability to organize has been a driving force.
              Debbie Hall, Retired HISD School Librarian
              Library Consultant/ volunteer
              Houston, Texas

Dorcas is a strong leader because she makes things happen - she inspires enthusiasm in others, makes sure the small (but essential!) tasks are managed, and keeps the big picture front and center. She’s a joy to work with.
                Frances Jacobson Harris
                Retired school librarian, University High School, Champaign-Urbana IL

I had the pleasure of working with Dorcas on the 2013 National School Library Program of the Year Award Committee. Dorcas was an amiable and conscientious committee member. She contributed thoughtful questions and ideas during school visitations and followed up with suggestions to improve the process for future committees. Her knowledge of school libraries and sensitivity to the dynamics that contribute to exemplary school library programs are among many of the valuable assets that she will bring to the AASL presidency.
                Kathy Lowe
                Executive Director, Massachusetts School Library Association

Dorcas always knows the right question to ask.  She helped keep our committee on track and focused.  She sees the big picture when it comes to school libraries and student achievement.               Becky Jackman
               School Librarian, Clarksville, TN

Travelling to several sites around the country with on the 2013 NSLPY committee, I was delighted by Dorcas' insight, professionalism and enthusiasm for the work of school librarians. She has the qualities needed to lead AASL as we engage, inform and support our chosen profession to deliver robust school library and information technology programs that support student success. I am delighted to endorse Dorcas Hand for AASL president-elect in 2015.
                Craig Seasholes
                School Librarian, Seattle WA

Not only does Dorcas stand out above other librarians, she stands out as a model of a true professional. She models this daily by taking on leadership roles within the Texas Library Association and the Texas Association of School Librarians, advocating for school libraries of all types and her commitment to AASL.
                Karen Kessel
                Immediate Past President Texas Association of School Librarians
                School Librarian, Carrollton TX

"Dorcas is a phenomenal school librarian, a fierce advocate for school libraries, and a great colleague. Her commitment to the profession and the students she serves is inexhaustible. Dorcas' vision and leadership is just what AASL needs to help combat the challenges facing our profession."
               Maribel Castro
               Formerly AASL Board Representative, Region 6 (AR, OK, NM, TX)