ALSC and Candlewick Press once again offer “Light the Way” grant
Jenny Najduch
ALSC Marketing Specialist
(312) 280-4026
NEWS
For Immediate Release
August 11, 2009
CHICAGO—The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), in partnership with Candlewick Press, is once again offering the “Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved” grant in 2010. This $3,000 grant, which is presented in honor of Newbery Medalist and Geisel Honoree Kate DiCamillo,  was first given in 2008 as a one-time award. Through the generous contributions of Candlewick Press, the Light the Way grant will now continue in 2010.
“When I was a child from a broken home in search of comfort, librarians handed me a book,” said DiCamillo. “I am proud to join with ALSC today in this ongoing effort to put books into the hands of children who need the books—the light—the most.”
The ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee (LSSPCC) will select the winner of this award based on an application process. Special population children may include those who have learning or physical differences, speak English as a second language, are in a non-traditional school environment or a non-traditional family setting (such as teen parents, foster children, children in the juvenile justice system and children in gay and lesbian families) and those who need accommodation service to meet their needs.
“Libraries across the country share a commitment to bringing the best library service to every child in the community. For some kids, without the means to get to the library on their own, outreach programs represent the only link to the magic of a good book,” said ALSC President Thom Barthelmess. “ALSC is so pleased to be working with Candlewick Press to provide this grant, especially in the current economic climate, when stories are more important than ever, and ever more hard to come by.”
The winner will be announced at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Boston on January 18, 2010. Criteria and an application for the grant are available now on the ALSC Web site at
www.ala.org/alsc. For more information on the Light the Way grant, please contact Jenny Najduch, ALSC marketing specialist, at
jnajduch@ala.org or (312) 280-4026.
Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, MA. Candlewick publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages; including books by award-winning authors Kate DiCamillo and M. T. Anderson, the widely acclaimed 'Ologies and Judy Moody series, and favorites such as the Where's Waldo and Maisy books. Candlewick's parent company is Walker Books Ltd., of London, England, with additional offices in Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand.
ALSC, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,300 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
www.ala.org/alsc.
