Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

New Grant Supports the Creation of 500 Adult and Family Literacy Support Centers in Libraries Nationwide

RAGARCIA — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:07:14 +0000

New Grant Supports the Creation of 500 Adult and Family Literacy Support Centers in Libraries Nationwide

Award from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences will help libraries boost literacy skills in communities nationwide

Washington, D.C. – September 19, 2024 – The ��ý, with members of the Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network (ALL IN), has received a National Leadership Grants Award for over $400,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences to design adult and family literacy support centers for libraries nationwide.

An estimated 54% of adults in the United States lack proficiency in foundational literacy, including reading, numeracy and digital skills. Young readers are struggling as well, with 64% of our nation’s fourth-graders reading below grade level. Literacy is directly connected to better health outcomes, reductions in recidivism for returning citizens, and better language and learning outcomes for children whose parents and caregivers have higher literacy. However, access to literacy skills and services remains a pervasive challenge across the country.

“Libraries are culturally and strategically positioned to close the literacy gap in this country. We have the data that informs our work and we understand the barriers ahead – but most importantly, we know the impact of leaning in as a champion toward these efforts,” said Kevin Strowder, Director, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services for the ��ý. “The innovative collective we’ve established through ALL IN and key library systems, with essential support from IMLS, prepares us to enhance the blueprint for addressing the multiple literacy crisis in our communities.”

Through this new initiative, ��ýand its partners from ALL IN will collaborate with the Charleston County Public Library, the Chicago Public Library and the Delaware Library Consortium to codesign a suite of resources and training materials to help library professionals nationwide support literacy building in their local communities. Resources will include a guidebook to build librarian and library staff capacity to meet diverse adult and family literacy needs.

ALL IN is a collective impact initiative that brings together national thought leaders from the adult literacy field and beyond to transform adult and family literacy for millions of Americans. Members of the collaborative, including the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, National Center for Families Learning, ProLiteracy and World Education, will partner with the ��ý on this initiative.

For 35 years, NCFL has formed dedicated partnerships with libraries across the country as key community institutions that provide critical access points for literacy acquisition and family learning. Libraries provide vital spaces and services that enable conversation, connection, and community-building for children and families. This IMLS grant provides an invaluable opportunity for a collective of national nonprofits to elevate the important role that libraries have in supporting much-needed adult education and family literacy resources. Felicia Cumings-Smith, National Center for Families Learning.

In addition to ALL IN’s deep expertise in adult and family literacy, three local library systems will bring an invaluable, community-focused perspective to the development of these resources.

“Collaborations like this are essential in improving our community’s literacy and quality of life. Our public library is a trusted source, and we are relied upon to meet our community’s evolving needs,” said Angela Craig, Executive Director of Charleston County Public Library. “These trainings and resources better position our system to directly support our families and their ability to live, work, and play.”

"At Chicago Public Library, literacy is at the heart of everything we do," said Commissioner Chris Brown. "This grant allows us to amplify our efforts, collaborate with literacy champions, and make a real difference in the lives of Chicago families. It’s a fantastic opportunity to empower our communities and celebrate the joy of learning together."

”Delaware Libraries and the Delaware Literacy Alliance are honored to participate and excited to share our progress in supporting literacy across the lifespan, enhancing it with guidance from national experts in the field of adult literacy,” said Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian of Delaware.

The resources developed over the course of this two-year project will ultimately be made available to libraries nationwide, improving literacy services for hundreds of thousands of adults and families.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About ALL IN: The Adult Literacy and Learning Impact Network is a collective impact initiative formed by national thought leaders in the adult learning field and beyond. Convened by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and generously supported by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, ALL IN is charged with carrying out the goals of the National Action Plan for Adult Literacy, a multisector, multiyear initiative designed to drive inclusive, collective action to increase adult literacy nationwide. To learn more, visit www.allinliteracy.org.

RAGARCIA Thu, 09/19/2024 - 10:07

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Contact:

Lauren Sproull

lauren@barbarabush.org

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

HARATA — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:29:07 +0000

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) invites applications from small and rural libraries for the third round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. The initiative will offer 3.5 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

In February 2024, ��ýannounced it received an additional $10 million dollars in support of the LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative. A substantial portion of the funding – $7 million – will be distributed in grants of $10,000 and $20,000 to small and rural libraries.

Library workers may now apply online for funding from September 11, 2024, to December 11, 2024, at ala.org/LTCAccess. Up to 300 libraries will be awarded in this application period. Previous awardees from round one and/or two are eligible to apply. Note that prioritization will be given to applicants not previously awarded.

Interested applicants can register for a pre-application webinar on October 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm CST.

In March 2024, ��ýannounced 310 libraries selected for round two funding, bringing the total number of funded libraries to 465, representing 46 U.S. states and the Northern Mariana Islands. View the full list of grantees awarded.

Libraries selected for round three will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ��ýPublic Programs Office throughout the grant term.

Libraries chosen to participate in LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local disability community needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., older adults with mobility disabilities, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted patron group to guide improvement of the library’s services. Grantees will then use the grant funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.

Applicants are advised to review the full project guidelines and look through application resources including successful application examples from previous rounds.

The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. To be eligible, a library must be located in an area that’s more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area and with a population of 25,000 or less, in keeping with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

Since 2014, ��ýhas distributed Libraries Transforming Communities funding to foster community engagement skills among library workers and support need-driven projects. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). It is supported by a private donor.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ýPublic Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

The ��ýOffice for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services supports library and information science workers in creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community. Learn more at www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/diversity.

About the Association for Rural & Small Libraries

ARSL builds strong communities through advocacy, professional development, and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries. As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of this constituency and is committed to providing an environment that encourages service excellence within our community of practice.

HARATA Tue, 09/17/2024 - 09:29

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Manager

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

ODLOS Seeks Proposals for Library as Literacy Centers Initiative

JCARMICHAEL — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 19:59:46 +0000

ODLOS Seeks Proposals for Library as Literacy Centers Initiative JCARMICHAEL Mon, 08/19/2024 - 14:59

The ��ý Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking proposals for its Library as Literacy Centers initiative, a multi-year project aimed at transforming libraries into key literacy hubs. This initiative will create actionable guidelines and templates to enhance library engagement with adult, family, and community literacy services. It involves assessing national literacy needs, providing funding to support literacy centers in eight key libraries, and sharing lessons learned to boost library-based literacy efforts. The selected consultant will collaborate with ��ýto identify regions with high literacy needs, establish grant-supported partnerships, and evaluate the initiative's impact. Proposals are due by September 16, 2024.

For more information, view the full Request for Proposal (PDF) or contact Assistant Director of Literacy and Continuing Education Aubrey Huff at ahuff@ala.org.

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

��ýannounces 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars

RAGARCIA — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 15:52:32 +0000

��ýannounces 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars

CHICAGO — The ��ý's (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services awarded 2024 Spectrum Scholarships to 70 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Since 1997, ��ýhas awarded more than 1,600 Spectrum Scholarships. In the most recent application cycle, the Spectrum Scholarship Program received four times as many applications as there were available scholarships, and the majority of this year’s applicants were deemed highly fundable. A prestigious committee of jurors selected this year’s Spectrum Scholars based on their commitment to community building, leadership potential, and planned contributions to making social justice part of everybody's everyday work in LIS.

The 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars are:

Alia Suad al-Ghabra, San Jose State University

Akua Serwaa Amponsah, Pratt Institute

Mikayla Aviles, Louisiana State University

Deleon MW (Wilson) Awill, Louisiana State University

Ana Lizeth Balen, San Jose State University

Louis Kelly Curtis Banks IV, Simmons University

Karla Barreiro, San Jose State University

Leia Carman Barrow, Simmons University

Sarah A. Meihui Bernstein, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Charmaine Branch, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Shanika Nicole Brown, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

Mateo Leon Caballero, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Reyna Campuzano Scarfo, San Jose State University

Citlalli Cardenas, Dominican University

Guadalupe Castillo, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Nebraska Chatham, Simmons University

Sarah Dababneh, University of Michigan

De'Ivyion Emonne Drew, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Rachel Erskine, Emporia State University

Maricela Garcia Serrano, San Jose State University

Lupita Gonzalez, University of Oklahoma

Amy Guerrero, University of Maryland

Tyler Aidan Hernandez, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Jasmarie Hernandez-Canuelas, University of Puerto Rico

Giselle Herrera, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Bethany Hill, University of Tennessee

Annabelle Hiu Ying Ho, Valdosta State University

Alayna Sofia Jasso, Catholic University of America

Gabriela Jasso, San Jose State University

Armaan Singh Kalkat, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Euncho Ko, University of Alberta

Tamika Lynn Lax, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis

Maryan Ali Liban, Kent State University

Amy Lim, University of Alberta

Leslie Lopez, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Diana Iridian Manriquez-Rivera, San Jose State University

Ana Laura Martinez, San Jose State University

Sandra Martinez, University of Washington

Melissa McCall, University of Washington

Kai Miyabayashi McGinn, Simmons University

Katherine Mendoza Gonzalez, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Vanessa Mondragon, Valdosta State University

Aliyah Muhammad, San Jose State University

Kathia Perez-Enriquez, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Varinthorn Punakananda Nakkeow, San Jose State University

Indira Nauth, San Jose State University

Nyakundi James Nyambane, Drexel University

Dalia Ortiz Pon, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Amaobi Kenechi Otiji, Rutgers University

Erica Owan, University of Washington

Grace J. Park, University of British Columbia

Maria Guadalupe Partida, University of Texas - Austin

Kaylee Danielle Paul, Simmons University

Kizuwanda Raines, Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Vanessa Lizette Rodrigson, San Jose State University

Ina Marie Samuel, San Jose State University

Isabella Marie Sanchez, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Bryn Shaffer, University of British Columbia

Anita Sharma, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Michelle Sosa, San Jose State University

Emily Chen Taina, San Jose State University

Elizabeth Tibebu, University of Maryland

Jennie Margaret To, University of Washington

Kate Uesugi, San Jose State University

Hilda Vazquez Medina, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Daniel Vesurai, Valdosta State University

Grace Villanueva, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Lia Warner, San Jose State University

Ian Anthony Wheeler, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Phoebe Yip, San Jose State University

The Spectrum program funds scholarships through its endowment and the generous contributions of individuals and organizations whose donations support named scholarships in the Spectrum Family of Funds. For 2024–2025, scholarships have been awarded in honor of the following supporters: Leo Albert, the Calloway family, Louise Giles, William R. Gordon, Satia Marshall Orange, Miriam Tuliao, and Dr. Betty J. Turock.

Scholarships have also been awarded from sponsoring organizations including ProQuest, Part of Clarivate; OCLC (OCLC/Core Scholar); Northern California & Nevada Medical Library Group; National Library of Medicine; the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL); the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC); Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA); and the Rainbow Round Table (RRT) of the ��ý.

��ýoffers thanks to the 2024 Spectrum Scholarship Jury for their work:

Nia Lam – Co-Chair (Media Studies Librarian at University of Washington Bothell & Cascadia College Library ), Alicia Zuniga – Co-Chair (Public Health & Science Librarian at California State University, Sacramento), Saegan Anderson, Megha Bamola (Youth and Family Outreach Specialist at Oak Park Public Library), Bradley Bibbs (Adult Services Librarian at Aurora Public Library District), Monica Boyer (Senior Manager of Children’s Services at Aurora Public Library District Library), Emma N. De Vera (State Library Programs Specialist at Minnesota State Library Services), CJ Garcia (Research and Instruction Librarian at A.T. Still University), Meera Garud (Instructor and School Library Coordinator at University of Hawaii at Manoa), Christy Hogan (Collection Development Librarian at University of Alabama at Birmingham), Jasmine Kirby (Assistant Librarian at the University of Utah), Bradley Kuykendall (Floater Branch Manager at Dayton Metro Library), Anthony Martinez (Student at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Ida Teresa Martinez (Science Librarian at Wayne State University), Angelica Mejia (Librarian at Carlsbad City Library) Margaret Puentes, Anjelica T. Rufus-Barnes – Lead Juror (Reference Librarian at Prospect Heights Public Library District), Conrrado Saldivar (Outreach and Development Librarian at Wyoming State Library), Joy Shioshita - Lead Juror (Former Supervising Librarian at Berkeley Public Library), Isabel Soto-Luna (Business Librarian at University of Nebraska Omaha), Julia Stone (Open Scholarship Librarian at Portland State University), Jasmine C. Sykes-Kunk (Head of Research Services at John Hay Library, Brown University),

The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students.

To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, please contact ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services at spectrum@ala.org or visit www.ala.org/spectrum. The application period for 2024 Spectrum Scholarships will open in September 2024.

RAGARCIA Thu, 08/01/2024 - 10:52

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Public Awareness

Contact:

Anjali Jain

Program Officer, Community Engagement

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

ajain@ala.org

Social Responsibilities Round Table highlights programming for Annual Conference

HPEARSON — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 15:57:57 +0000

Social Responsibilities Round Table highlights programming for Annual Conference

CHICAGO – The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) is pleased to share upcoming programming this summer.

At ALA’s Annual Conference in San Diego, SRRT will convene session called “Combatting Voter Suppression in Your Library which will be a discussion about how librarians and libraries can combat voter suppression in an age of rampant mis- and disinformation Saturday, June 29 from 2:30-3:30 pm PDT. Following Annual, SRRT’s next Afternoon of Social Justice will be held on July 31, 2024, with more details to come.

SRRT has long been known for exploring issues and promoting conversations that propel the professioto think critically about local and global concerns. Our programming committee reflects that spirit by hosting events that call people in and bring diverse perspectives to bear on timely issues.

In 2023, SRRT held three virtual events. On July 13, 2023, the round table hosted a book discussion on Matthew Desmond’s “Poverty, by America” that included facilitated group learning circles.

On August 18, 2023, the Afternoon of Social Justice session featured speakers who shared a feminist perspective on the wars in Ukraine and Sudan and religious fundamentalism in Iran; a discussion about how libraries can become more culturally and physically equitable, diverse, and inclusive spaces to those with disabilities; and a screening and moderated discussion of the documentary film, Boycott.

On November 15, 2023, SRRT convened a panel, “Intellectual Freedom, Social Responsibility, and Praxis in Librarianship and Education,” which included a K-12 school librarian, public librarian, and university professor and focused on the intensified battles around book bans, censorship, public and school library funding, Critical Race Theory, African American Studies pedagogy, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

This year, SRRT hosted a monthly Current World Events Discussion Series for Library Staff & Community Members to raise awareness of and provide resources related to critical social, political, and economic issues and build media and information literacy

In March 2024, SRRT convened the two-day virtual summit, Abolitionist Visions and Intersections: Centering Human Relationships and Building Institutional Connections with Social Justice. The 15 sessions featured speakers who brought diverse perspectives and lived experiences to intersectional issues and provocative ideas. Sessions touched on information access and censorship in carceral settings, creative arts programming in prisons, archival stewardship of incarcerated persons’ records, inclusive library design, and innovative public library programming to serve vulnerable and reentry populations. The event also included two film screenings.

The Programming Committee strives to broaden our programming and identity’s reach by appealing to new and different audiences and promoting cross-sector conversations and interdisciplinary connections. Rachel Rosekind and Derek Wilmott serve as Programming Committee Co-Chairs. They may be contacted at:

Rachel Rosekind: rosekindness@gmail.com
Derek Wilmott: Robert.Wilmott@utoledo.edu

About

The Social Responsibilities Round TableSRRT is a Roundtable within the ��ý. It works to make ��ýmore democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

To support SRRT programming and future learnings, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Social Responsibilities Round Table general fund or a specific SRRT project. The donation pathway can be found here.

HPEARSON Fri, 06/07/2024 - 10:57

Annual Conference

Diversity

Event

Contact:

Hillary Pearson

Program Manager, Accessibility Services

ALA

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach

hpearson@ala.org

CSKBART 55th Anniversary

JLEDESMA — Tue, 14 May 2024 22:25:41 +0000

CSKBART 55th Anniversary

Coretta Scott King Roundtable

JLEDESMA Tue, 05/14/2024 - 17:25

2024 marks the 55th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table. During the past 55 years, these awards celebrate the talent, creativity, and hard work of many authors and illustrators that showcase the black youth experience. Recently, we celebrated the 2024 CSKBART author and illustrator winners at the ��ý Conference in San Diego, CA. For the full list of winners, please follow this link.

As we continue to celebrate these talented authors and illustrators, use the hashtag #CSKBART55 on social media, share your favorite moments from past Coretta Scott King Book Awards breakfasts, simply share a CSKBART title that you cherish. Let us know what this award means to you as a library worker, educator, reader, writer, or artist.

Archived materials about the CSKBART 55th Anniversary Celebration are archived here.

Diversity | Equity | Inclusion

Coretta Scott King Book Awards Roundtable (CSKBART)

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

Face Sheet PDF

(.pdf, 139.64 KB)

Press Release Template PDF

(.pdf, 106.18 KB)

Press Release Template Word Doc

(.doc, 30.5 KB)

Public Service Announcements Template PDF

(.pdf, 65.67 KB)

Public Service Announcements Template Word Document

(.doc, 35.5 KB)

Talking Points PDF

(.pdf, 139.18 KB)

For any questions or comments related to the 55th Anniversary or upcoming CSKBART programs, please contact the team at diversity@ala.org.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards winner, honor, and John Steptoe Award for New Talent seals are property of the ��ý and cannot be used in any form or reproduced without permission of the ��ýOffice of Rights and Permissions.

��ýannounces 2024 EMIERT David Cohen Award Recipients

RAGARCIA — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:08:05 +0000

��ýannounces 2024 EMIERT David Cohen Award Recipients

CHICAGO - Lisely Laboy, Dr. Rachael Elrod, Dr. Krista Aronson, and Brittany Kester have been named recipients of the 2024 ��ý (ALA) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award for their article entitled, "Room for Improvement: Picture Books Featuring BIPOC Characters, 2015-2020.” The article was published in 2023 in Publishing Research Quarterly.

According to Dr. Elrod, " 'Room for Improvement’ discusses the representation of Black, Indigenous Peoples, and People of Color (BIPOC) characters in picture books published in the United States between 2015 and 2020." Using data from the Diverse BookFinder, “the article highlights trends in the representation of different racial and ethnic groups and raises concerns about the potential impact on cultural awareness and understanding. Overall, it advocates for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to cultural representation in children’s literature and urges the publishing industry to address specific gaps to provide a more diverse range of stories for youth.”

The Award, consisting of $500 and a commemorative plaque, will be presented in person during the EMIERT 2024 Chair’s Program at ��ýAnnual Conference in San Diego.

EMIERT’s Board: Andrea Jamison, chair; KC Boyd, chair elect; Kim Sigle, secretary; Fatima Perkins, treasurer; Dr. Leslie Himes, roundtable councilor; Emily Bergman, member at large; Emma K McNamara, member at large; and Richard Ashby Jr., member at large; Dr. Janice Newum, CSK liaison.

EMIERT’s Award Committee: Jean Myles, chair; Emma K. McNamara; Dr. Joan Kindig; Melissa Iamonico, and Dr. Dr. Corinthia Price.

Founded in 1982, the Ethnic and Multicultural Information and Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) serves as a source of information for recommended ethnic and multilingual collections, services, and programs. The David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award recognizes recent articles that include significant new research related to the understanding and promotion of multiculturalism in libraries in North America.

For more information, please visit www.ala.org/emiert.

RAGARCIA Mon, 05/06/2024 - 13:08

Awards (Books & Media)

Contact:

Kevin Strowder

Director

Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services

kstrowder@ala.org

��ýawards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries

HARATA — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:43:13 +0000

��ýawards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) today announced the second round of recipients of its Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, an initiative to help small and rural libraries increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

The 310 funded proposals represent 45 U.S. states. Of the selected libraries, 62 percent serve communities of less than 5,000 people. Eighty-five of the libraries also received funding in the first round of the grant initiative, bringing the total count of LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grantees to 465. See the full list of libraries.

Fifty libraries will receive grants of $20,000, and 260 libraries will receive grants of $10,000. Eligibility was limited to communities with populations less than 25,000 that are located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in accordance with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions.

“The LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant has been the largest grant initiative in the history of the ALA,” said ��ýPresident Emily Drabinski. “Each of these 465 libraries will begin or continue projects that will improve library access for thousands of library users across the nation. This initiative will have a lasting impact on these small communities and beyond, bringing a much-needed light to the library field.”

Selected libraries have identified a primary audience they wish to serve (e.g., people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities or intellectual disabilities). Library staff will conduct community input-gathering sessions with the identified primary audience to discuss accessibility in the community and library to collaboratively identify existing resources, needs/gaps and priorities. The libraries will then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities, services or program offerings based on the needs identified by their audience.

Previously funded LTC projects have included the installation of chair lifts and hearing loops, hosting arts and crafts programs for community members living with Alzheimer’s and memory loss, and the creation of accessible outdoor spaces like community gardens.

Below is a selection of funded proposals:

To combat a rise in cyberbullying incidents against students with disabilities, Columbia Falls (Mont.) High School Library will use their $20,000 in grant funding to kickstart a student task force to plan and implement an anti-bullying campaign. The campaign will include an array of after school programs with community partners like the mental wellness organization, Nate Chute Foundation and Humanities Montana.
Dunkerton, Iowa, is a community of 842 people with 15.3% of the population living with a disability. Dunkerton Public Library will use their $20,000 in grant funding to help older adults with mobility issues, people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and those who are blind or low vision to fully participate in all library services. After receiving community input, the library plans to partner with the Iowa Library for the Blind, purchase large print books, install new LED lighting and update sound systems.
Round one grant recipient, Beals Memorial Library in Winchendon, Massachusetts, will continue its efforts to support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families. The library will use their $10,000 in grant funding from the second round to enhance sensory friendly programs and increase existing collection materials to provide a welcoming atmosphere.

Since 2014, ��ýhas distributed LTC funding to foster community engagement skills among library workers and support need-driven projects. LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is offered in partnership with The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).

“The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) sends our congratulations to the second round of LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities libraries,” said ARSL Executive Director Kate Laughlin. “We are proud of these libraries for conducting such community-focused projects across the country, enhancing the lives of many. We look forward to the great work that will come from this second round.”

In February 2024, ��ýannounced an additional $10 million in grants to continue the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative. Grants of $10,000 and $20,000 will be distributed over the next three years.

The third round of LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will open in fall 2024. To be notified when applications open, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ýPublic Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

About the Association for Rural & Small Libraries

HARATA Mon, 03/04/2024 - 08:43

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Specialist

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

Nominations Open for 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer

RAGARCIA — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:46:47 +0000

Nominations Open for 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer

CHICAGO - The ��ý (ALA) is accepting nominations for the 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer. The Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture is held annually during the ��ýAnnual Conference as a tribute to the efforts of the first director of ALA’s Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (now the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services) to ensure that all citizens, particularly Native Americans and adult learners, have access to quality library services. Self-nominations are welcome.

The lecture is provided by an information professional, broadly speaking, whose work focuses on the mission of outreach and whose impact can be measured by their contributions to their local community, the broader library community, and/or library research. Nominees do not have to be librarians, but successful nominees have worked with diverse adult populations to provide quality library services and programs.

Speakers are chosen from a list of nominees and may be a long-term outreach champion or have only recently made substantial contributions to the profession’s understanding of the current state of diversity, equity of access, literacy, and/or social justice as they relate to library outreach. Past speakers are listed on the Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture page.

The lecturer receives complimentary registration to ALA’s Annual Conference and is required to publish their lecture through ODLOS upon conclusion of the conference. Nominations may be submitted through the online nomination form, and should be received by 11:59PM Pacific time on March 15, 2024.

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

For more information, please visit www.alaannual.org.

The Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture is open to all Annual Conference attendees. This year’s event is coordinated by the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services Advisory Committee: Suzan Alteri (Chair), Lori Berezovsky, Kay Coates, Brooke Corso, Michael Dontrall Brown, Rhonda K. Gould, Sammie Johnson, II, Alda A. Migoni, Nadia Mira Orozco-Sahi, Sally Stieglitz, Lauren Nicole Tubbs, and Cathy Zimmerman.

Carrie Scott Banks, Ex-Officio Member, A. Phylicia Hutson, Ex-Officio Member, Kaypounyers “Kay P” Maye, Ex-Officio Member, Ramón García, Ex- Officio Member, and Gwendolyn N. Weaver, Ex-Officio Member.

The ��ýOffice for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services supports library and information science workers in creating safe, responsible, and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community. To accomplish this, we decenter power and privilege by facilitating conversations around access and identity as they impact the profession and those we serve. We use a social justice framework to inform library and information science workers' development of resources. We strive to create an association culture where these concerns are incorporated into everybody's everyday work.

ABOUT AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ��ýhas been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

RAGARCIA Thu, 02/29/2024 - 13:46

Contact:

Kevin Strowder

Director

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services kstrowder@ala.org

kstrowder@ala.org

Miriam Tuliao to Participate in 37th Annual Great Saunter to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program

RAGARCIA — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:49:17 +0000

Miriam Tuliao to Participate in 37th Annual Great Saunter to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program

CHICAGO - Miriam Tuliao has announced that she will participate in the 37th Annual Great Saunter, a 32-mile walk around Manhattan, on May 4, 2024 to raise funds for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarship Program. This is Tuliao's 17th consecutive year organizing an annual fundraiser for Spectrum.

To support Tuliao’s fundraising efforts, please visit https://ec.ala.org/donate to make your gift and select the Spectrum Scholarship Program as the fund you wish to support. Upon checkout please select the “Add a tribute or memorial to my donation” option on the top and include in honor of the Tuliao Fundraiser and acknowledgement going to Miriam Tuliao in the fields provided.

Each year, in addition to raising funds for Spectrum, Tuliao pays tribute to librarians who have made an impact on her and on their communities. Tuliao shares that she will be honoring the following librarians for their commitment to outreach and special services during the fundraiser:

Carrie Banks, Brooklyn Public Library
Adriana Blancarte-Hayward, New York Public Library
Julia Chang, New York Public Library
Maria Fung, formerly of BookOps
Valerie Garcia, New York Public Library
Fred Gitner, Queens Public Library
Alexandra Gomez, BookOps
Elizabeth Olesh, Baldwin Public Library
Robin Osborne, formerly Westchester Library System
Libbhy Romero, BookOps

Tuliao is a senior library marketing manager at Penguin Random House and an adjunct library science instructor at Queens College, City University of New York and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Before joining the publishing world, she served as the assistant director of selection at BookOps, the shared technical services organization of New York Public Library and Brooklyn Public Library.

Tuliao cites a Filipino saying—utang na loob—which means “a debt of the soul.” It’s why she says she feels a strong debt to library colleagues and is inspired to help “provide BIPOC sisters and brothers with an opportunity to fly.”

Tuliao is a United States masters swimmer who has raised funds for Spectrum through participating in events, including the Big Shoulders 5K Swim in Chicago in September 2007 - her first annual Spectrum Fundraiser; the New Jersey State Triathlon; the 5.85-mile Little Red Lighthouse swim; two United States Masters Swimming two-mile Cable Open Water National Championships; a 1.2-K race swimming around the Statue of Liberty, the IGLA Championship Open Water Swim, the Annual Lake Erie Open Water Classic, and the Washington D.C. Sharkfest Swim.

Support Tuliao's efforts by contributing to ��ýat ec.ala.org/donate, selecting Spectrum, and making your gift in tribute to Miriam Tuliao. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Through the Spectrum Scholarship Program, ��ýadvances racial equity by connecting new generations of racially and ethnically diverse librarians with a network committed to mutual support, advancing one another’s leadership, and making social justice part of everybody's everyday work. The Spectrum Scholarship Program actively recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern and North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students. To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, please contact ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services at spectrum@ala.org or visit www.ala.org/spectrum.

About the ��ý

RAGARCIA Fri, 02/16/2024 - 10:49

Public Awareness

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Contact:

Anjali Jain

Program Officer, Community Engagement

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

ajain@ala.org

Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)

New Grant Supports the Creation of 500 Adult and Family Literacy Support Centers in Libraries Nationwide

������ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

ODLOS Seeks Proposals for Library as Literacy Centers Initiative

������ýannounces 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars

Social Responsibilities Round Table highlights programming for Annual Conference

CSKBART 55th Anniversary

������ýannounces 2024 EMIERT David Cohen Award Recipients

������ýawards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries

Below is a selection of funded proposals:

Nominations Open for 2024 Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecturer

Miriam Tuliao to Participate in 37th Annual Great Saunter to raise funds for the Spectrum Scholarship Program

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

��ýannounces 2024-2025 Spectrum Scholars

��ýannounces 2024 EMIERT David Cohen Award Recipients

��ýawards $3.6 million in library accessibility funding to 310 small and rural libraries