Bookapalooza Program

About the Bookapalooza Program
Creating a better future for all children through libraries is ALSC’s core purpose.
ALSC envisions a future where:
  •  In every library, children come first.
  •  All libraries acknowledge the importance of children’s service with adequate materials and resources.
  •  All libraries recognize ALSC as a leader in promoting high quality service to children.
  •  Libraries recognize and support the value of all staff serving children.
  •  Resources, collections, services, and staff reflect the communities they serve.
  •  The library’s physical space reflects the developmental needs of children.
  •  Children and their families are being served by a variety of non-traditional programs and activities in off-site locations. 
In keeping with this envisioned future, the Bookapalooza Program will offer select libraries a collection of materials that will help transform their collection and provide the opportunity for these materials to be used in their community in creative and innovative ways.

Administered by:

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) logo

2016 Winner(s)

Bezhigoogahbow Library Cass Lake, Minnesota

Bezhigoogahbow Library, Cass Lake, Minnesota

Outreach is also important in the plans of Bezhigoogahbow Library at Leech Lake Tribal College in Minnesota.   Located on tribal lands, the library does not receive city, county, or state funding, so the Bookapalooza grant will help build the children’s collection where it is much needed.  As well, some of the books will undergird increased outreach to the fourteen community centers on the Leech Lake Reservation, bringing the library to the community.


David A. Howe Public Library Wellsville, New York

David A. Howe Public Library, Wellsville, New York

The David A. Howe Public Library in New York is planning to use the Bookapalooza materials to supplement their youth materials, as well as establish a rotating outreach collection for youth.  Located in a rural area with low population density and no public transportation, they are making efforts to reach youth where they are.  The new collection will greatly help them as they reach out to many different community facilities, including local schools which lack school librarians.


Nora Sparks Warren Library Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Nora Sparks Warren Library, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

At Nora Sparks Warren Library in Oklahoma, the average age of the materials in the children’s collection is thirty-six years, and the budget hasn’t been able to catch up.  The infusion of new materials from Bookapalooza will enable them to attract more youth and families to the library and to increase the variety and frequency of their story times and other children’s programs.