“Light the Way” Grant

ALSC is administering the “Light the Way: Library Outreach to the Underserved” grant, a one-time grant of $5000, that Candlewick Press is sponsoring in honor of author Kate DiCamillo and the themes represented in her books. School Library Journal (SLJ) posted an interview on September 4, 2007, with Kate DiCamillo about the grant.

Think about the special populations in your library service area, such as:

• children who are in a non-traditional school environment
• children who are in a non-traditional family setting
• children who have learning differences
• children who have physical differences
• children who speak English as a second language

The “Light the Way” grant will help you develop and, if you are selected, fund a program to serve one or more of your community’s special populations. Here are a few questions from the application:

• Will a person who represents your target population be involved in the planning of the project?
• Will the outreach program/service be restricted to members of the target population or open to other members of your community?
• Will it be a continuation/expansion of a current program/service or a new project?
• Will you be collaborating with a community agency?

You are encouraged to apply and to really think about how your library provides service to ALL children.

Applications for the “Light the Way: Library Outreach to the Underserved” $5000 grant will be accepted until December 3, 2007. For more information about the grant, its criteria and the application form, visit the ALSC/Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant page in the Professional Award section of the ALSC Web Site.