For immediate release | February 7, 2012

Patlan winner of 2012 Loleta D. Fyan Grant

CHICAGO - Carmen Patlan, of the Waukegan (Ill.) Public Library, has been awarded the 2012 Loleta D. Fyan Grant for the proposal entitled “Promotoras Ambassador Program.” The program will establish a team of ambassadors to reach out to the underserved Latino residents and through the use of library services assist their integration into the community.

The Promotoras Ambassador Program will highlight the library’s role as a place to access computers and other valuable free-of-charge services. The program will also collect information about the diversity and different needs of Waukegan’s Latino community to help the library with future programming. Larry Grieco, chair of the grant award jury, reports that the members of the jury were unanimous in selecting Promotoras. “This program,” said Grieco, “honors Loleta Fyan’s belief that every individual is equally entitled to high-quality library service. The Waukegan Public Library will not only reach out to the underserved Latino community, but establish ongoing channels of communication in both directions, to identify and meet the needs of this special population.”

This $5,000 grant, given annually on a competitive basis, is named for Loleta D. Fyan, an ALA past-president (1951-52) who provided funds for the American Library Association (ALA) in her will. The grant supports a project that will develop and/or improve public library services, will effect changes that are innovative and responsive to the future and have potential for broader impact and application beyond a specific local need. Applicants can include, but are not limited to, local, regional or state libraries, associations or organizations, including ALA units, library schools or individuals.

Guidelines and a list of previous winners are available in the ALA website.

Contact:

Cathleen J. Bourdon