Norman Public Schools is proud to announce that Truman Elementary librarian Tiffany Toquinto has been named the 2026 Polly Clarke School Librarian of the Year by the Oklahoma School Libraries Division. The award recognizes an outstanding Oklahoma school librarian who has been instrumental in developing an exemplary library program that supports the instructional needs of students, teachers, and administrators.
The award is named in honor of Polly Clarke, a former school librarian and Oklahoma Library Association Library Legend, who was recognized for her extensive work teaching librarianship at Northeastern State University. Each year, the honor is presented to a librarian who demonstrates leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to student learning through library services.
Toquinto has 23 years of experience in the library field, including 19 years as an elementary teacher librarian. During her career, she has been named Site Teacher of the Year twice and serves Truman Elementary in numerous leadership roles, including site leadership team member, technology contact, webmaster, and academic team and Botball coach. She is also active in professional organizations, including the Oklahoma School Librarians division, where she has served as an officer, and other education associations that support students and educators across the state.
One example of Toquinto’s innovative work is her collaborative third-grade unit, Bringing Stories to Life: Picture Book Dioramas. In this lesson, students explore picture books through inquiry, discussion, and hands-on creation. After participating in a book tasting, students work with a partner to read and analyze a selected story, then design a diorama representing key elements of the text. The project integrates reading comprehension, visual literacy, collaboration, speaking and listening skills, and introductory maker technology using laser cutter software. The unit concludes with a gallery walk where students present summaries and explain their design choices.
“We are incredibly proud of Tiffany and the impact she makes every day for students and staff at Truman Elementary,” Amanda Kordeliski, Director of Instructional Technology and Libraries for Norman Public Schools, said. “Her creativity, leadership, and dedication to helping students develop a love of reading and learning truly represent the very best of what school librarians do. This recognition is well deserved, and we are grateful to have her as part of our district.”
The Oklahoma School Librarians Division announced Toquinto as the 2026 recipient of the Polly Clarke School Librarian of the Year Award and acknowledged Follett and Wendell Fields as sponsors of the honor, along with their generous gift of a book certificate.