2016 Summer Learning Resources Grant recipients announced

CHICAGO – The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) has chosen 20 libraries to receive its 2016 Summer Learning Resources Grant.

The grant’s purpose is to provide libraries with funds to purchase literacies resources that will strengthen and expand the impact of the library’s summer learning program towards teens most vulnerable to summer learning loss, including teens who speak English as a second language, teens in socio-economically challenged communities, and teens who are at risk of failing school. Each grant is worth $1,000. The grant is possible through the generous sponsorship from The Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

The recipients are as follows:

• Andronik, Catherine; Norwalk (Connecticut) Public Library
• Badgley, Katie; Genesee District Library; Flint, Michigan
• Bearre, Denise; Alcona County Library; Harrisville, Michigan
• Estlow, Christina; Burlington County Library System – Pemberton Branch; Browns Mills, New Jersey
• Iannacchione, Erin; LGBT Center of Raleigh (North Carolina) Library
• Jeanmard, Julie; Douglas County Library System; Roseburg, Oregon
• Kenny, John; Grafton-Midview Public Library; Grafton, Ohio
• Kilfoyle, Kristy; Dunbar Jupiter Hammon Public Library; Fort Meyers, Florida
• Loch, Sarah; Springdale (Arkansas) Public Library
• Lovell, Mary; Seymour Public Library; Auburn, New York
• Martin, Lisa; Warren (Michigan) Public Library – Civic Center
• Martinez, Elise; Zion-Benton Public Library; Zion, Illinois
• McClelland, Jessica; Citizens Library; Washington, Pennsylvania
• McGuire, Jessica; Russell (Kansas) Public Library
• Richard, Jasmine; Thibodaux (Louisiana) Library
• Schenkel, Deb; North Miami Beach (Florida) Library
• Tomsu, Lindsey; La Vista (Nebraska) Public Library
• Vernau, Mary; Tyler (Texas) Public Library
• Wallace, April; Pinson (Alabama) Public Library
• Weston, Killian; Chesterfield Township (Michigan) Library

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