Mini Grants for 2013 Summer Reading Programs

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Applications are still being accepted for two kinds of mini grants for 2013 summer reading programs made possible by YALSA and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.’  Apply today!

  • Summer Reading Funding: Twenty libraries that provide programming to underserved teens will receive $1,000 to support their outstanding literacy focused summer reading program.
  • Summer Reading Teen Assistant Funding: Twenty $1,000 grants are available to be used to recruit, train and compensate teen assistants to help with summer reading programs.

Books_DG_LitfinalIndividual library branches within a larger system may apply.’  Deadline extended to January 14, 2013.‘  Apply at www.ala.org/yalsa/awardsandgrants/yalsaawardsgrants.

Win $1,000 for your great teen lit programming!

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Please help YALSA’s MAE Award committee help publicize our monetary award by spreading the word. If you know of someone who you feel would qualify, encourage them to apply AND become a YALSA member. Every bit helps in these tough economic times!

Win $500 and an additional $500 for your library with the MAE Award for Best Literature Program for Teens

Here’s your chance to win $500 for your pocket and another $500 for your library!’  YALSA members are eligible to apply for this award recognizing an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults.’  If you have created an exceptional reading or literature program in the 12 months before December 1st consider applying for the MAE Award for Best Literature Program for Teens.’  The MAE Award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.’  The winner receives $500 and additional $500 for their library.

Application forms can be downloaded at http://www.ala.org/yalsa/awards&grants and must be emailed to Nichole Gilbert at ngilbert@ala.org by December 1.

Not a member of YALSA?’  It’s not too late to join.’ ‘  Please note that it may take up to 2 months for new memberships to be fully processed.’  New members should send an electronic copy of their membership application with the grant application.

For questions, contact Alexandra Tyle-Annen at atyle@homerlibrary.org.

Reward yourself for bringing young adults and books together and encouraging the development of life-long reading habits.’  Apply today!

Saving Money During a Bad Economy

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It can be disconcerting to read about the state of the economy. There is lots of appropriate concern about what the current economic conditions will mean for libraries of all types. Happily for me, the other day I had a conversation with Connie Urquhart, Teen Services Coordinator at the Fresno County Public Library, that got me thinking about ways to turn the negative of budget cuts into a positive opportunity for trying new things at the library, making change happen, and demonstrating that teen librarians are aware of the importance of spending time and money wisely. Read More →

28 Days of Advocacy #12 – Recruiting for Results

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Like many of you, I’ve been thrilled to see the amazing amount of positive attention libraries of all types have been receiving in the media recently.’ ‘  Librarians across the country are using this media attention as a springboard for advocating and spreading the word about what an asset libraries and librarians are to their communities.’  And it seems so much easier to step into the role of advocate,’  particularly with legislators and decision-makers, when you’ve got a recent newspaper or TV report featuring lots of people proclaiming their love of libraries in your hands!’  But what about translating these statements of support and appreciation from the people we serve into action?’  What about recruiting individuals outside of the Library community to advocate with us and for us? Read More →

Libraries & The Stimulus Package

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Posted on behalf of the ALA Washington Office:

The next 36 to 48 hours is critical to get millions, maybe billions, of dollars for libraries in the Congressional stimulus package. We need every single library supporter to start sending messages and calling Congressional offices so that we can keep important library provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). More details and talking points are available. Read More →

Contact Your Senators about the Stimulus Package

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ALA members and library supporters received an alert today asking them to call their senators and legislators to help preserve the proposed $200 million for libraries, community computing centers and related institutions in the original language of the Senate stimulus bill, H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Senators Kent Conrad (ND-D) and Lindsey Graham (SC-R) are expected to introduce Senate Amendment 501 which would strip funding for libraries and broadband to put additional funding into the FDIC. Read More →

YALSA Podcast #53 – Teens & School Libraries

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In this podcast, Maureen Ambrosino of the Central MA Regional Library System talks with Kathy Lowe, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Library Association and Lynn Rutan, middle school librarian in Michigan on the current state of school libraries.
Listen
The podcast covers:

  • The state of school libraries across the country and the crisis level of school libraries in Michigan.
  • The importance of administration seeing school libraries as a value to the school community.
  • The role of a school librarian as an advocate for school libraries
  • Best practices in being a school library advocate
  • Impact of school library services on students and in particular on teens
  • Impact of school librarians on academic achievement
  • How public librarians can support school librarians
  • AASL School Library Campaign