Deadline: June 15, 2012

The 2012 theme is “The Future of Young Adult Literature: Hit Me with the Next Big Thing.” The Young Adult Literature Symposium is funded in part by the William C. Morris Endowment.

Registration for the symposium includes a welcome reception on Friday night, educational sessions on Saturday and Sunday, coffee breaks on Saturday and Sunday, a reception on Saturday evening and a general closing session on Sunday. Details, including a preliminary program, are available at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium by clicking on “Programs and Presenters.”

Early bird registration costs

• $195 for YALSA members and Missouri Library Association members;
• $245 for ALA personal members;
• $300 for nonmembers; and
• $50 for students

Rooms at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch are offered at a special rate for registrants of $105 per night.

YALSA will also offer pre-symposium special events that require additional registration on Friday, including:

• A half-day forum on dystopian teen literature ($59);
• A half-day forum on engaging students with e-readers and social networking ($59);
• A half-day forum on new trends in publishing for teens and ($59); and
• A guided library tour of public libraries in St. Louis ($25)

In addition, symposium attendees can register for one of two Bill Morris Memorial Author Luncheons, featuring David Levithan (“Boy Meets Boy”; “The Lover’s Dictionary”) or Patricia McCormick (“Sold,” “Purple Heart”). Tickets for each luncheon cost $45.

To read program descriptions, download the preliminary program, find out how to reserve a hotel room and see the full list of registration rates, visit www.ala.org/yalitsymposium.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audiobooks for teens.  For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail, yalsa@ala.org.

• April 21 – Central A&M High School, Moweaqua, IL
• April 28 – Highland Middle School, Libertyville, IL

You can read session descriptions and register at the ISLMA website at http://islma.org.  (Scroll down the page.)

2012 Abraham Lincoln Award winner is:  Maze Runner by James Dashner

2012 Bluestem Award winner is:  Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost

2012 Monarch Award winner is:  Shark Vs Train written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

Grant recipients will be awarded one set of the 2013 reading campaign books for the award program indicated on their application.  The titles in each book award set are determined by the individual committees in charge of the reading award programs.  Sets include one copy each of the 20 or 22 books depending on the award program selected.

All grant applications must be submitted by May 15, 2012.  Applicants must also be registered for the appropriate 2012 Reader’s Choice program by May 15, 2012 (a separate process).  Questions may be sent to info@lbssfund.org, by fax to 309/649-0916 or by phone to 309/649-0911.

For More Information>>
Grant Application>>

Learn practical tips and best practices for creating programs for children with special needs, as well as outreaching tips and resources for services in your community.  Find out how you can adapt programs to make them more inclusive, and considerations to take when creating programs for special populations.

Program Locations and Dates

• RAILS – Rockford on April 9th from 9:30 a.m – 1:00 p.m.
  
• IHLS – Edwardsville  on April 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Champaign Public Library on April 12th from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Arlington Heights Memorial Library on April 13th from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  

Registration is $30 for ILA Members and $40 for Non-Members. CPDU credit will be available at each location.

For more information and to register >>

Dollar General Summer Reading Grants
Deadline: February 28, 2012

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Grants provide funding to local nonprofit organizations and libraries to help with the implementation or expansion of summer reading programs. Programs must target Pre-K through 12th grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities.

Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants
Deadline: February 28, 2012

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Adult Literacy Grants award funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Organizations must provide help in one of the following instructional areas:

• Adult Basic Education
• General Education Diploma Preparation
• English Language Acquisition

Dollar General Family Literacy Grants
Deadline: February 28, 2012

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation Family Literacy Grants provide funding to family literacy service providers. The Foundation uses the federal government’s definition of family literacy when reviewing grant applications. Organizations applying for funding must have the following four components:Adult Education Instruction

• Children’s Education
• Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
• Parenting Classes

Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants
Deadline: May 16, 2012

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Youth Literacy Grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:

• Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
• Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
• Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs

Over the past 30 years, iREAD has grown to become a leader of Summer Reading Program development by providing libraries with all of the resources they need to promote, launch, and execute great reading programs. Increasingly, iREAD themes and programs are being used year-round in schools and literacy programs. For more information, call 877-565-1896 or visit here.

The LIS endorsement prepares state-certified teachers to take positions in school media centers. To see the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Endorsement Schedule for the February 1, 2012 changes, click here.

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries makes grants of up to $6,000 to update, extend, and diversify the book collections of school libraries. All LBF grants are made to individual schools rather than to school districts, county systems, private organizations, foundations, or other entities. Only schools where a minimum of 50% of the student body qualify for the Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL) program are eligible to apply, with selection preference given to schools in which 90% or more of the students receive free or reduced lunches and are likely to have the fewest books and reading materials at home.