AASL to host question and answer session with the U.S. Department of Educatio


Contact: Kathy Agarwal


Communications Specialist


312-280-4381


kagarwal@ala.org
For Immediate Release


January 3, 2006

AASL to host question and answer session with the U.S. Department of Education

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will host an informational session with the U.S. Department of Education at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio. The session will be held on Sunday, January 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, in the Navarro Meeting Room.

Irene Harwarth, the team leader for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program at the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, will present information on the new government application procedures for federal education grants. She will address specifically the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries grants and answer questions about the new online application process.

The U.S. Department of Education has moved its online application system to
Grants.gov. The new website replaces last year's requirement that applicants use the U.S. Department of Education's e-Grants system and requires applicants to register with Grants.gov, even those who were already registered in last year's system. The new procedures require earlier application time, as registration needs to be confirmed before proceeding to the next steps. The Question and Answer session hosted by AASL in San Antonio will address the changes in the application process and ensure that members have the opportunity to ask questions and get clarification on the new process in time for the application deadline.

For more information about the U.S. Department of Education Improving Literacy Through School Libraries grants, including the initial 2005 LSL report, please visit
www.ed.gov/programs/lsl.

The American Association of School Librarians,
www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.