Moriches, NY - May 19, 2016 - William Floyd Middle School (WFMS) librarian Julia Hannibal was recently selected as the recipient of the Suffolk School Library Media Association (SSLMA) 2016 Open-source Automated Library System – Media Flex Technology Grant, a $500 award that will be used to support the WFMS Code Club.

Ms. Hannibal was selected because her philosophy aligns with the American Association of School Librarians’ “Standards for the 21^st Century,” which state, “Technology skills are crucial for future employment needs, providing equitable access is a necessary component for education and lastly, learning has a social context, enhanced by opportunities to share and learn with others in face-to-face situations and through technology.”

The WFMS Code Club, a partnership with the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, provides students with hands-on experience creating video games, apps and websites, while learning about potential career paths and educational requirements to enter the field. Students learn and gain experience on online tools such as Google CS First, Khan Academy, Hour of Code, Alice and more.

In an email notifying Ms. Hannibal of her award, Madelyn T. Haussner, President of SSLMA, stated, “In reviewing your grant application, it’s apparent you support these beliefs by promoting ThoughtSTEM and Minecraft accounts for students in the Computer Science Coding Club.”

She will be recognized at an upcoming SSLMA Celebration dinner.