Berkshire Athenaeum receives donation

The  Berkshire Athenaeum (Pittsfield's Public Library) received a generous donation of $4,000 from the TD Charitable Foundation. Pictured above are (left to right) Gary Schiff (Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager, Private Investment Counsel, TD Wealth Management); Ron Latham (Athenaeum Director); Gwen Davis (Vice President, Commercial Lending, TD Bank); and Linda Skorupski (Retail Market Manager, TD Bank).

The Athenaeum will be directing these grant monies to the purchase of new books in the circulating non-fiction collections of the Adult Service Department.

December 31 is deadline to apply for Laura Bush Foundation Grant

Visit the Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries for complete information on this grant opportunity.

$5,000 Grant Opportunity

The information posted below is taken directly from the Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming website:

Grant Application: Libraries, Literacy and Gaming

Purpose of the Grant

To help libraries of all kinds develop and implement gaming experiences that support literacy development for youth 10-18 years of age. Selected libraries will receive a onetime grant of $5,000.00. Funds may be used to expand or add literacy-based gaming experiences at your library for youth ages 10-18. Funded libraries will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from a team of library gaming experts.

Eligibility

* Must be a public, school, or academic library in the United States serving youth 10-18.
* Partnerships are strongly encouraged.

Guidelines

* Application must be submitted by 11:59 pm Friday March 20th, 2009.
* Cover sheet must be completed and signed by the library director and project coordinator.
* Winners will be notified on or before April 8, 2009.
* Winners will be announced in the national media during National Library Week, April 12-18, 2009.

Requirements

* Develop, implement, and document multiple gaming experiences that support literacy development for youth 10-18.
* Field test The Librarian's Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ your Library.
* Contribute resources and materials, including media and text, to The Librarian’s Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ the Library.
* Share library-specific experiences through podcasts and videos.
* Participate in the Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming online community.
* Work with the project’s evaluation specialist to develop and use assessment and reporting tools.
* Participate in a one-time media training via conference call.
* Submit quarterly project and budget reports to ALA.
* Submit a final report to ALA documenting accomplishments, impact, and use of funds.
* Spend or encumber grant funds within 180 days of receipt.

Learn More about Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming

* Libraries, Literacy, and Gaming Fact Sheet
* The Librarian's Guide to Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming @ the Library

All applications must be submitted online using the link below. This PDF file is provided for planning purposes.

Please Click Here to Apply

For Additional Information contact :
Dale Lipschultz
Literacy Officer, OLOS, ALA
Project Director: Gaming, Libraries, and Literacy
dale@librarygamingtoolkit.org

February 3, 2009 is deadline to apply for THE BIG READ grant

From the National Endowment for the Arts THE BIG READ website:

"The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. The NEA presents The Big Read in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in cooperation with Arts Midwest. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. Approximately 400 organizations in communities of varying sizes across the country will be selected to participate in The Big Read from September 2009 through June 2010."


An overview of THE BIG READ featured in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal:

1. "Big Read, Big ROI: How the one-book program extends the library's most trusted brand" by Beth Dempsey.

Recent THE BIG READ video posted on YouTube:
"Claymation reenactment of the novel the Great Gatsby for Waukesha's BIG READ celebration."