YALSA awards 20 libraries 2014 Teen Intern Grant

CHICAGO – The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has awarded 20 libraries the 2014 Summer Reading Teen Intern Grant.

The grant is possible through the generous sponsorship from The Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Each grant is worth $1,000.

The grant will allow libraries to hire teen interns who will assist in the implementation of their summer reading programs. It is also a great opportunity that allows teens to gain real world work experience, as well as develop professional skills and a work ethic.

The grant recipients are as follows:

• Amanda Barnhart, Trails West Branch Library; Kansas City, Mo.
• Amanda Jackson, Gadsden (Ala.) Public Library
• Angela Bates, Thornton Library; Oxford, N.C.
• Becky Arenivar, Prescott (Wis.) Public Library
• Cole Zrostlik, Saint Croix Falls (Wis.) Public Library
• Jennifer Warren, Longview (Texas) Public Library
• Jennifer McQuown, Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach; West Palm Beach, Fla.
• Karyn Gardiner,  Durham (Conn.) Public Library
• Lisa Wegner, Trimble County Public Library; Bedford, Ky.
• Lori Easterwood, Sacramento (Calif.) Public Library
• Marianne Follis, Irving (Texas) Public Library
• Melissa Aragon, Petit Branch of Onondaga County Public Library; Syracuse, N.Y.
• Melissa Naseman, Shelby County Libraries; Sidney, Ohio.
• Patricia VanArsdale, Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library; Zionsville, Ind.
• Rosalee Pituch, Rebecca M. Arthurs Memorial Library; Brookville, Pa.
• Samantha Helmick, Burlington (Iowa) Public Library
• Samantha Marker, Mount Laurel (N.J.) Library
• Sarah Potwin, LaGrange Association Library; Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• Silence Bourn, Seminole County Public Library Northwest Branch; Lake Mary, Fla.
• Summer Kosuge, Northbrook (Ill.) Public Library

To learn more about the grant and summer reading, please visit the Summer Reading & Learning website, an online space where educators, library workers and out-of-school-time providers can find and share helpful summer reading and learning resources.

For years, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation has provided Youth Literacy Grants to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations in hopes to provide assistance in implementing and expanding literacy programs for youth. For more information about Dollar General and its Youth Literacy Grants, visit www.dollargeneral.com

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens.  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.