LGBT Center of Raleigh Library receives 2014 Light the Way Grant

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced that the LGBT Center of Raleigh Library in Raleigh, N.C. is the recipient of the 2014 Light the Way: Library Outreach to the Underserved Grant. As the winner of the grant, the library will receive $3,000 for its LGBT Family Story Time project.

The Light the Way Grant, which honors Newbery medalist and Geisel winner Kate DiCamillo, is now in its sixth year. Although originally conceived as a one-time award, it has continued to be presented with the kind generosity of Candlewick Press.

The LGBT Center of Raleigh Library plans to use the money to serve members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill Research Triangle Community, a metropolitan area of some 2 million people. The primary goal of the project will be to provide networking opportunities and an affirming space for LGBT and ally families with children ages 0-6, and to increase the use of the Library’s space and circulation of materials. The library will also partner with Out! Raleigh, SAGE Raleigh and Marbles Kids Museum.

The committee stated, "As librarians we always hope to create a place that is reflective of our communities. With this grant we are proud to support a program that celebrates this traditionally underserved population. This grant will give the LGBT Center of Raleigh Library an opportunity to develop a collection of materials that supports and resonates with the community and that can light the way for other libraries as they build their collections and provide outreach services."

Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Mass. Candlewick publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors Kate DiCamillo, M. T. Anderson and Laura Amy Schlitz, the widely acclaimed Ologies and Judy Moody series and favorites such as the Maisy and Where's Waldo? books. Candlewick's parent company is Walker Books Ltd., of London with additional offices in Sydney and Auckland.

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 4,200 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 Web site at www.ala.org/alsc.

Members of the 2014 ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee include: Chair, Africa Hands, Louisville, Ky; Jordan Boaz, New York Public Library, N.Y.; Sara Hathaway, Columbus, Ohio; Rebecca Hickman, NSU Alvin Sherman Library, Fort Lauderdale, Fla; Lesley Mason, DC Public Library; Amy Seto Musser, Central Library of Denver Public Library, Denver, Colo; Amanda Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, Middleton, Wis.