Apply now for YALSA’s new Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association, has announced the Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant, which aims to annually recognize a librarian or a library employee who has a creative, innovative project that promotes literacy.

“I am excited that this opportunity, honoring my late wife, will go to a library with limited resources to develop a literacy program for young people,” commented Gregory Lum.

“One of Joann’s passions in life was her love for children’s literature, which she shared with my children and me,” stated Linda Mayhew, sister of Joann. “She always spent time reading to my children and even helped them to become authors by helping them create their own illustrated books.” 

All literacy grant project ideas, regardless of how big or small, are welcome. Examples of literacy include, but are not limited to, digital, media, visual, computer, data, financial, civic/ethical, news, information, multicultural, and cultural literacy. 

Any library personnel who work with young people (aged 10-19) in any library setting are eligible to apply for this $1,000 annual literacy grant. YALSA membership is not required; however, if chosen as a recipient, part of the grant funds must be used to join YALSA/ALA. Submitted applications will be reviewed by an award jury. One recipient will receive the grant to implement their literacy project. Learn more and apply now through December 1.

The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources, go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.