For immediate release | February 22, 2011

Apply by March 1 for 20 summer reading grants from YALSA and Dollar General

CHICAGO — Librarians seeking funding for summer reading programs aimed at teens can apply for one of 20 summer reading grants, each worth $1,000, distributed by YALSA and funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. YALSA encourages innovative proposals that are inclusive of underserved teen populations, including but not limited to teens with disabilities and teens who speak English as a second language.

Applications for the program, as well as guidelines and a sample budget form, are available at www.ala.org/yalsa/awards&grants. Individual library branches within a larger system are welcome to apply. Applications are due March 1, 2011. Recipients will be announced in early April.

To apply, applicants must:

  • be a personal member of YALSA
  • live in one of 35 states that has a Dollar General store (check and see if your state is eligible at www.tinyurl.com/DGstate)
  • plan to offer a summer reading program for teens in your library

Questions can be sent to Letitia Smith, YALSA’s membership coordinator, at lsmith@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail, yalsa@ala.org.

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