Oak Forest High School library awarded Eyle Exemplary School Library Award

Oak Forest High School’s library program was honored Tuesday when the Association of Illinois School Library Educators presented the Eyle Exemplary School Library Award to Oak Forest for meeting state library standards and demonstrating extensive collaboration with school programs.

Dr. Tina Ward, chair of AISLE’s school recognition committee and librarian at Evergreen Park Community High School, presented the award and thanked Bremen Community High School District 228 leadership for supporting school libraries. “The Eyle Exemplary School Library Award was established in 2018 to recognize school libraries throughout the state of Illinois which exemplify the Illinois school library standards,” Dr. Ward said. She described the award’s eligibility requirements, including that a nominated library must have at least one full-time licensed school librarian and a dedicated library budget supported by the district.

Oak Forest’s nomination included materials submitted by library media specialists Amanda O’Rourke and Jennifer Shantz and supporting statements from Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning Ryan Blackwell. The presentation highlighted the library’s curriculum-aligned programming, equipment purchases such as green screens, podcasting devices, Sphero robots and 3-D printers, and coordinated lessons across content areas.

Award criteria and duration

According to the recognition committee, libraries that score at least 115 out of 128 possible points on the application are awarded exemplary status for three years. The committee reviews evidence from nominees and district or building administrators and scores submissions based on alignment with Illinois library standards and programmatic outcomes.

Why it matters

The award signals district-level support for staffed, budgeted library programs and recognizes integration of library services into curriculum and student learning experiences. Oak Forest’s program was presented as a model for other districts in the state for fostering active participatory learning, reading promotion and cross-curricular collaboration.

Local acknowledgments

Oak Forest staff and district leaders thanked the Association, the Oak Forest library team (Amanda O’Rourke and Jennifer Shantz), and district technology supporters who helped fund or approve equipment and programming. Library staff accepted the award on behalf of the extended Oak Forest community.

Sources: remarks by Dr. Tina Ward and Oak Forest representatives during the Bremen CHSD 228 board meeting.