Lester Public Library receives ALSC/Book Wholesalers Summer Reading Program Grant

Contact: Laura Schulte-Cooper


312-280-2165

ALA News Release


For Immediate Release


January 2001

Lester Public Library receives ALSC/Book Wholesalers Summer Reading Program Grant

The Lester Public Library (Two Rivers, Wis.) is the 2001 recipient of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)/Book Wholesalers Summer Reading Program Grant. The award is presented by ALSC, a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

The $3,000 grant, donated by Book Wholesalers, Inc., provides financial assistance for public libraries to develop outstanding summer reading programs for children. The grant also recognizes ALSC members for outstanding program development.

ALSC member Terry Ehle submitted the winning grant application. Featuring the theme "Reading Road Trip USA," the program will allow children of all ages to participate, with parents assisting pre-readers. A special Reading Challenge game allows advanced readers to earn Book Bucks, which may be used to pay off fines, purchase books or replace lost library cards, and young adults may earn Book Bucks by volunteering their time in the Children's Department.

Children in the neighboring town of Mishicot, Wis., also will be able to participate in the program through weekly visits by the Lester staff to this unserved population.

Members of the selection committee were: Tia Jah Wynne, chair, Indianapolis-Marion County (Ind.) Public Library; Barbara Auerbach,
School Library Journal, New York City; Maralita Freeny, Prince George's County (Md.) Memorial Library System; John Peters, New York Public Library; Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City/County (Calif.) Library, Nipomo Branch; and Tim Wadham, Maricopa County (Ariz.) Library District