The Nov. 6, deadline is approaching for the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant, but there is still time for you to apply.

U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for a $3,000 grant that will be awarded to the best public awareness campaign that promotes the theme “Communities thrive @ your library” during National Library Week (April 11-17, 2010). The 2010 grant application is an electronic form, which can be accessed from the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Web site at www.ala.org/nlwgrant. Guidelines are also available on the Web site.

Also, check out past winners to get ideas:

-2009: Moline Public Library

-2008: The Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County

-2007: Minoa Elementary School Library

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A group of librarians in Franklin County, Ohio, are reaching out to their communities to address the tough economy.

In September 2009, representatives of the Worthington Public Libraries worked in collaboration with five Franklin County area libraries (Columbus Metropolitan Library, Grandview Heights Public Library, Upper Arlington Public Library (in photo above), Westerville Public Library and Worthington Libraries) to create “Job Help Day @ your library.”

In addition to “Job Help Day @ your library,” each of the five participating libraries have purchased resume writing software and other job search tools, which are available daily in each of the libraries’ job help centers.

On “Job Help Day @ your library,” held on Sept. 24, 2009, all five systems offered a series of job-related workshops. The free programs included one-on-one meetings with resume writing consultants and classes on interview techniques.

“We created programs that worked best for the communities we serve,” said Kristin Shelley, deputy director of the Old Worthington Library.

Over the course of the day libraries helped more than 900 hundred people, with more than 270 visiting the Worthington system. Governmental and non-profit agencies donating their services to the libraries included Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC), Jewish Family Services and Ohio State University’s Career Exploration Office.

Each library promoted its programs in such local newspapers as the Columbus Dispatch and on area television stations.

Feedback from the public was extremely positive. Many library users asked when the libraries will be offering the program again. The five original libraries, along with two new ones, are currently planning on hosting another “Job Help Day” in February.

Here is an article by by Ruth McNeil, community relations manager – Upper Arlington Public Library, on Job Help Day @ your library.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries, ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations that advocate the importance of the library in American society.

Libraries looking to promote their services during the economic downturn are encouraged to check out American Library Association’s (ALA) Tough Economy toolkit. The toolkit is available through ALA’s Office for Library Advocacy.

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CHICAGO - More than 4,000 libraries across the United States celebrated Teen Read Week, Oct. 18-24, with teens crowding libraries for author visits, movie marathons, craft programs and book discussions. In addition, leaders from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) took to the nation’s airwaves and appeared in newspapers, discussing the importance of teen literacy and teen library usage.

The American Library Association’s Public Information Office (PIO) worked closely with YALSA to support this year’s Teen Read Week publicity efforts. Media outreach resulted in hundreds of placements with, among others, WCBS-FM, Vocalo.org, Los Angeles Times, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Tacoma News Tribune, Auburn Citizen and the Mankato Free Press.

Highlights included YALSA announcing the 2009 Teens’ Top Ten, a booklist chosen entirely by and for teens, in which teens nominate and choose their favorite books of the previous year. John Green’s “Paper Towns”came in atop the list, ahead of many other favorites. World Wrestling Entertainment Divas Brie Bella and Nikki Bella announced the winners, with a special appearance from Green, in a Webcast that can be viewed at www.ala.org/teenstopten.

Since its inception in 1998, Teen Read Week (www.ala.org/teenread), sponsored by YALSA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA) has encouraged teens to visit their public and school libraries to select their own reading material and read for the fun of it.

For more information on Teen Read Week, please visit www.ala.org/teenread or contact Jennifer Petersen at (312) 280-5043, jpetersen@ala.org.

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Join thousands as ALA , ALSC and YALSA unveil the best of the best in children’s and young adult literature and media.

The American Library Association (ALA) will provide a free live webcast of its Youth Media Awards, a national announcement of the top books and media for children and young adults, on Jan. 18, at 7:45 a.m. EST. The award announcements are made as part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, which will bring together librarians, publishers, authors and guests to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from Jan. 15 to 19.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for children and young adults. This year’s announcement includes 18 awards including the Coretta Scott King Book Awards; John Newbery Medal; Michael L. Printz Award; Schneider Family Book Award; and the Randolph Caldecott Medal.

Unikron, a streaming content provider, will host the ALA Youth Media Awards Webcast. The number of available connections for the Webcast is limited and the broadcast is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online visitors can view the live Webcast the morning of the announcements by going to http://alawebcast.unikron.com. Those interested in following the action live should bookmark the URL.

The ALA will instantly announce presentation results using Twitter. Members can view live updates on the ALA Youth Media Awards press kit and via tweets at http://twitter.com/ALAyma. Members can also follow live updates via the Youth Media Awards RSS and the ALA Youth Media Awards Facebook page.

The press release announcing all ALA Youth Media Award recipients will be posted in the Youth Media Awards Press Kit at http://www.ala.org/yma prior to 9:30 a.m. EST.

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Hundreds of libraries across the country are preparing to celebrate National Gaming Day @ your library on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. How popular is gaming in libraries? A recent study shows that more than 75% of public libraries support gaming, by offering computer or board gaming, circulating games, or offering gaming events and programs.

A National Gaming Day @ your library publicity toolkit is now available at “http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/mediapresscenter/presskits/ngd09/ngd09mtk.cfm” to help libraries promote their gaming programs and events to the media. The Web toolkit includes downloadable artwork, customizable postcards, a sample press release, a sample letter to the editor and much more.

To learn more about National Gaming Day @ your library please visit http://ilovelibraries.org/gaming.

Contributed by Macey Morales, manager, media relations, ALA Public Information Office

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CHICAGO – This weekend, libraries across the country will play an important role in celebrating the cause of reading during Make It Matter Day, sponsored by Reader’s Digest magazine.

On Saturday, Oct. 3, more than 100 events will be held on this national volunteer day of reading, writing and learning in support of literacy and education. Libraries will join schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs in taking part in the inaugural event.

Events will include author read-alouds, storybook scavenger hunts, Pictionary and Scrabble tournaments, as well as creative writing, crossword puzzles, riddles, hangman and sentence work, all to support the love of reading and learning.

The American Library Association (ALA) has signed on as a sponsor of Make It Matter Day, with ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries providing promotional support “The ALA supports Reader’s Digest in its commitment to literacy and education, which matter to the librarians who help foster the literacy skills Americans need to participate fully in a global information society,” said ALA President Camila Alire.

Earlier this year, the editors at Reader’s Digest asked its community of 37 million Americans to identify the cause that mattered most to them. The pre-selected causes were hunger, literacy & education, environment, supporting military families, human rights, violence, rebuilding New Orleans, health & wellness, and children & youth. The winning cause was literacy and education. For more information go to http://www.readersdigest.com/makeitmatterday.

“Literacy is at the core of our country’s success,” said Peggy Northrop, Editor-in-Chief of Reader’s Digest. “We are excited to be rallying people to support such an important cause and in the coming years we will focus on other causes that matter to our community.”

Through its Web site, Reader’s Digest offers a number of resources, including a literacy directory that highlights key literacy issues, a book-club resource that provides valuable advice on running a book club, reading resources, online book clubs, and reading group guides.

Reader’s Digest magazine, (http://www.readersdigest.com), the world’s most widely read magazine, is published in 21 languages and reaches 70 million readers worldwide.

To learn more, listen to the following podcast.

<BGSOUND src="http://pio.ala.org/visibility/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/make-it-matter-day1.mp3">

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