$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

"Prejudice against gamers"

Three cheers for Sarah Hodge-Wetherbe of the Springfield City Library whose response to Joseph Grosso's "Mission Aborted" [BackTalk, Library Journal, 9/15/08, page 34] is published in the November 15, 2008 issue of Library Journal.

From Sarah's article, titled "Prejudice against gamers":

"... Gaming (along with anime, manga, and comics) has opened up the library for kids and teens. We have introduced things like digital editing, writing fan fiction based on games kids enjoy, and creating plans for video games. Gamers create online videos set to music and use text to read and write back and forth online in massive multiplayer games. They write and read reviews to help the library select games.... Games teach players about community interaction, history, civics, and many other subjects.... " - Read more at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6611583.html

Video Gaming, WMRLS Continuing Education, and YOUTUBE!

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Video Description

Librarians rock out at WMRLS Leap Year (February 29) Continuing Education Workshop titled "Video Gaming in Libraries" conducted by library consultant Beth Gallaway. Visit the WMRLS READS! website for photos, weblinks, and more!

© 2008 YouTube, Inc.

Video Gaming in the Library - A WMRLS Leap Year Workshop

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Video Gaming in the Library ~ 10:30 to 2 ~Register online

Friday, February 29 ~ Agawam Public Library [Snow date is Monday, April 28]

The average age of the gamer is 33 and rising, and an estimated 80% of the population under age 34 has played a video game! Beth Gallaway, co-author of Game On: Gaming at the Library (Neal Schuman, 2007) explains why video games matter to your library in terms of entertainment, culture, learning, literacy, and youth development. The session concludes with a hands-on (or feet-on) portion – wear comfortable clothing and clean socks!

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Articulate how video games meet seven development needs of teens, and build developmental assets of adolescents in eight categories
• Examine video game collection development policies, procedures and issues
• Discover best gaming program practices in the US and Canada
• Experience a variety of handheld and tabletop games
• Design a new program of service to appeal to the "gamer" generation.

Janet Eckert is the WMRLS contact person for this program. Registration limit: 35. Registration deadline extended: February 22. Register online

Note: We will take a 30 minute lunch break. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch that requires no refridgeration or heating.

Video Description

YALSA Gaming Extravaganza Midwinter 2008

© 2008 YouTube, Inc.