For immediate release | March 15, 2016

ALSC donates $5,000 to REFORMA Children in Crisis Project

CHICAGO — Since 2014, REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, has mobilized its Children in Crisis Project in response to the thousands of refugee children arriving often unaccompanied along the southern border of the United States. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is in strong support of REFORMA’s efforts to provide comfort to the children through accessible books. The ALSC Board has approved a $5,000 donation to support REFORMA’s Children in Crisis Project and is exploring other ways of activating its membership to raise awareness.

“Using the power of libraries to create a better future for children is precisely the purpose of our Association,” said ALSC President Andrew Medlar, “so I am pleased that ALSC can support the vital work of REFORMA’s Children in Crisis Project through this donation.”

In addition to collecting donations to provide books to detention centers, REFORMA has compiled resources including booklists and recommended storytimes to assist librarians in providing welcoming spaces for refugee children and families. Several REFORMA Chapters have also coordinated outreach in their communities. For more information, visit the Children in Crisis website: http://refugeechildren.wix.com/refugee-children

David Lopez

REFORMA Public Relations Chair

pr@reforma.org

Angela N. Hubbard

Program Officer - Projects and Partnerships

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

(312) 280-1398

ahubbard@ala.org

About REFORMA

Established in 1971 as an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), REFORMA, has actively sought to promote the development of library collections to include Spanish-language and Latino oriented materials; the recruitment of more bilingual and bicultural library professionals and support staff; the development of library services and programs that meet the needs of the Latino community; the establishment of a national information and support network among individuals who share their goals; the education of the U.S. Latino population in regards to availability and types of library services; and lobbying efforts to preserve existing library resource centers serving the interests of Latinos.

About ALSC

The Association for Library Service to Children is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. ALSC's network includes more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults dedicated to creating a better future for children through libraries.

Related Links

Children in Crisis Project

http://refugeechildren.wix.com/refugee-children

Contact:

Angela Hubbard

Program Officer, Projects & Partnerships

Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

ahubbard@ala.org

(312) 280-1398