ALSC now accepting applications for 2017 ALSC/Candlewick Press 'Light the Way' Grant

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee are now accepting online applications for the 2017 Light the Way: Library Outreach to the Underserved grant. This $3,000 grant, made possible by Candlewick Press in honor of Newbery Medalist and Geisel Honoree author Kate DiCamillo, will go to a library conducting exemplary outreach to underserved populations through a new program or an expansion of work already being done.

The  ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee will select the winner of this award based on an application process. Special population children may include those who have learning or physical differences, those who speak English as a second language, those who are in a non-traditional school environment, those who live in foster care settings, those who are in the juvenile justice system, those who live in gay and lesbian families, those who have teen parents, and those who need accommodation service to meet their needs. The winner of this award will be announced at ALA's Midwinter Meeting.

The winning project should be well thought-out, appropriate to the target population, doable, and replicable by other libraries. Each applicant will be judge on the following:

·         Project Information- The outline should include goals, measures of success, a timeline with action steps, and how the project will be documented.

·         Target Population- Descriptions of the community served by your library, including a concise economic and demographic profile. Detail community benefits, outreach, and the various players involved in promoting the program to the underserved population in your area.

Applicants must be members of the American Library Association. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 1, 2016. For more information about the award requirements and submitting the online application please visit the ALSC/Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant Web page.

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s website at www.ala.org/alsc.

Contact:

Courtney Jones

Awards Coordinator

ALSC

American Library Association

312-280-2163

...@ala.org">alsc...@ala.org

Forwarded by:

Sharon Rawlins

Youth Services Specialist for Lifelong Learning

NJ State Library

185 West State St.

P.O. Box 520

Trenton, NJ 08625-0520

...@njstatelib.org">sraw...@njstatelib.org

609-278-2640 ext. 116

609-278-2650 – fax

CSLP 2016-2017 President