The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation offers 70 minigrants of up to $500 to public schools and public libraries for projects that foster creative expression, working together and interaction with a diverse community. Great mini-grant programs are creative, collaborative, have the potential to become an annual/recurring event, and benefit children and their communities. The application is available beginning May 30, 2022, with a submission deadline of September 30, 2022. The online application form and complete guidelines are available on the Foundation’s web site.
Category: Youth Services
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Free Webinar – NYS Museum Virtual Resources for Summer Reading Programming and Oceans of Possibilities
Date: Friday, April 01, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Place: Online at https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/8936194
Cost: FreeJoin NY State museum instructor, James Jenkins, for an overview of on-line resources that the NYS Museum has available for libraries to use with Summer Reading at New York Libraries in 2022.
There will be a variety of museum scientists’ and historians’ virtual presentations shared to inspire programming and activities for different audiences and age levels as libraries plan for “Oceans of Possibilities.”
Who should attend:
- Public library staff interested in learning about and incorporating NY State Museum resources into their Summer Reading program.
- School library staff interested in learning about and incorporating NY State Museum resources into their Summer Reading program.
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Free Webinar – Oceans of Possibilities with 4-H and Library Collaborations
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
Place: Online at https://nyslibrary.libcal.com/event/8936269
Cost: FreeJoin the NY State Library and the 4-H STEM Project work team staff to learn about the perfect opportunity to connect with 4-H and library educators in your part of the state for Oceans of Possibilities! Tap into the expertise of 4-H professionals and learn how to take advantage of programs and resources in watersheds, marine science, and other areas that can be adapted to your Summer Reading programs and activities this year and beyond. Explore online 4-H resources as well as resources and kits that can be borrowed from local offices to enhance programs in libraries of all sizes, whether rural or urban. There will be time for questions at the end of the session.
We hope you can join us for this informative lunchtime session to learn more about valuable 4-H resources and how libraries can strengthen their connection to local 4-H offices and educators.
Who should attend:
- Public library staff interested in learning about and incorporating 4-H local and online resources into their Summer Reading program.
- School library staff interested in learning about and incorporating 4-H local and online resources into their Summer Reading program.
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Free Webinar – Media Literacy, Tech Mentoring, and Peer Learning : Helping Families Help Themselves
Date: Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Place: Online at https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/earlylit/webinars.htm
Presenters: Dorothy Stoltz and Carrie Sanders
Cost: FreeDoes your library harness the ability of families (no matter their starting point) by providing a foundation to grow their tech and media literacy skills alongside their general knowledge? In this webinar, you will learn tips and tricks for helping families grapple with the challenges of the current media and digital world through mentorship and peer learning! Attendees will be able to identify:
- One common misconception around technology-centric learning
- Two benefits of tech mentoring and peer learning to enhance media literacy and digital skill development
- Three best practices through shared learning and discussion about peer-to-peer learning and customer mentorship
About the Presenters:
Dorothy Stoltz is serving on the advisory board for the IMLS Media Literacy PD Project for the Erikson Institute. She is retired director for community engagement at Carroll County Public Library in Maryland and previously worked in public libraries in Pennsylvania and Queens, NY. She was chair of the PLA/ALSC Every Child Ready to Read committee in 2014-2015, co-chair of the Maryland Family Engagement Coalition, 2014 -2021, and a member of the Maryland Early Childhood Advisory Council, 2014 -2021. Dorothy is a co-author for the ALSC white paper called “Media Mentorship in Libraries Serving Youth.”
Since 2016, Carrie Sanders has been the Youth Services Coordinator for the Maryland State Library Agency, where she provides consultation and training to youth services coordinators for all Maryland public libraries in the areas of early literacy, STEAM programming, teen services, family engagement, and other initiatives surrounding youth services. Previous experience includes a decade of service as a school librarian and fifteen years of public library work as a children’s librarian. She is passionate about helping library staff develop the skills, strategies, and awareness critical in creating equitable, inclusive library programs and services for all ages and populations of youth.
Questions? Contact Sharon Phillips, Ready to Read at New York Libraries Program Director at Sharon.Phillips@nysed.gov
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Grant Opportunity – Kids Need to Read
Kids Need to Read provides books, periodicals, and literacy resources to schools, libraries, and other organizations that administer literacy programs to disadvantaged children and adolescents. A school, library, or organization receiving books from Kids Need to Read must be a governmental agency or 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization located in the United States or its territories. These organizations must serve at least 50% of children living at or below the national poverty rate. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via this online form.