North Miami Public Library awarded 2025 Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2025 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to North Miami Public Library in North Miami, Florida.

This grant is designed to encourage outstanding summer reading programs by providing financial assistance while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development. The program must be open to all children from birth to age 14. The grant encourages summer programming that provides for the inclusion of children with physical and mental disabilities. This $3,000 grant is made possible by Baker & Taylor, a leading supplier of books, digital and software services to public and academic libraries.

Funding from the Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Grant will allow the North Miami Library to bring inclusive literacy opportunities to children and families in their community. The grant will be used to enhance program accessibility (both physically and virtually), an author/illustrator visit, promotion, and staff training focused on working with children with disabilities and improving cultural sensitivity. As part of summer reading, the library is also planning to create a mural, offer STEAM challenges, and interactive, sensory story times.

“The committee appreciated North Miami Public Library’s thoughtful commitment to inclusivity and service to children with disabilities,” said Jennifer Knight and Tammie Benham 2024-25 Programs and Services Recognition committee co-chairs. “Their grant proposal was well-developed with an eye on sustainability. There were a lot of great details in the proposal, and it was clear the library put some effort into meeting community needs.”

“We are thrilled North Miami Public has received this grant,” noted Grace Larochelle, Senior Manager of Children’s and Teen Services at Baker & Taylor, “We know Summer Reading Programs are essential to develop lifelong readers. The creativity and inclusiveness of North Miami’s approach is to be applauded.”

About the Association for Library Service to Children

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s website at www.ala.org/alsc.