Nancy Grant
Penquis Valley Middle and High School

The Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) is pleased to announce that Nancy B. Grant, Library Media Specialist of Penquis Valley School has been named the 2007 Walter J. Taranko School Library Media Specialist of the Year.  The award was presented at the MASL fall conference at Herman High School on Saturday, November 10.  Ms. Grant was nominated for this award by the principal, assistant principal, school guidance counselor and two classroom teachers.  

In his letter of nomination, school principal Scott Gordon describes Ms. Grant as "the consummate educator…she incorporates technology into every lesson that she teaches in the library…. She loves books and that passion is passed on to our children…" Ms Grant’s involvement in the educational process does not stop at the doors of the Library Media Center.  She has taught many workshops for staff as well as instructing students each day in the Library Media Center.  She teams with teachers and administration on curriculum development, instructional strategies, and technology integration.  Ms. Grant is the schools Maine Learning Technology Initiative (MLTI) leader, ensuring that teachers and students have adequate instruction in the integration and use of this important educational tool.  Ms. Grant served as the chairperson for the recent NEASC reaccreditation visit.  She is also very involved in the teacher certification process for the school district.

Ms. Grant’s talents also extend beyond the Penquis Valley School.  She is actively involved in the library field at the state, regional and national levels.  As a member of MASL, she assisted in the development of the job description for library educational technicians and the job evaluation forms for school library media specialists that have been adopted state wide.  She is the representative to the New England Educational Media Association (NEEMA).  She has served on the national level as the affiliate representative to the American Libraries Association and the American Association of School Libraries.  Currently the technology chair for MASL, Ms. Grant is also a past president of that organization.

Ms. Grant was awarded a plaque naming her the Library Media Specialist of the Year 2007.  A $500 donation in her honor was also made to her school library media program. This award is given annually in memory of Walter J. Taranko.  During his career at the Maine State Library, Walt was a mentor, supporter and advisor for school library media specialists.  This award recognizes the contributions to the profession of a school library media specialist on a local and/or state level.  It is awarded annually. 

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