Forest North Elementary School librarian Kristen Fournier is the 2021 recipient of the Texas Library Associations Siddie Joe Johnson Award, honoring her outstanding achievement in children’s library service.
“There are many outstanding librarians in the Texas library community, but none like Kristen,” said Amy Jacobs, Forest North Elementary School principal. “She gets inside students’ hearts quickly, figures out their unique interests, and, from there, helps them build solid and lasting reading lives.”
Recipients of the Siddie Joe Johnson Award successfully demonstrate a sustainable high level of performance, leadership ability, outstanding or innovative programs, involvement in professional organizations, community involvement, and cooperation with parents and other libraries.
“Kristen is profoundly impacting students, staff, and her community,” said Ami Uselman, Round Rock ISD director of library services.” “Kristen has genuinely built a community of readers through inclusive book clubs, engaging reading challenges, and summer library events that celebrate reading and promote choice and voice for students.”
Kristen has been a librarian for 12 years and was the 2013 Forest North Elementary School Teacher of the Year. She is the co-creator and co-host of Book Buzz, a YouTube series promoting children’s literacy; and the campus sponsor of the Ukulele, comic book, sewing, and cooking clubs; and empowers her students as Library Leaders. Her service on literary committees, such as the American Library Association, Theodor Seuss Geisel committee, Texas Bluebonnet Award Selection committee, Texas Library Association Little Mavericks Graphic Novel Reading List committee, has yielded thousands of books donated for her school’s library.
“Being the Forest North Elementary School librarian is one of the greatest joys in my life,” said Fournier. “I am grateful to my peers who nominated me and to the Texas Library Association for this recognition.”
Congratulations, Kristen!
