Grant Money Available for the Promotion of Library Resources The ALA Carnegie-Whitney Grant program provides grants of up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes, or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library. Eligible projects need to be useful at a national level and appeal to a broad audience. Grants are awarded to a wide range of individual in or involved with libraries. For more information, visit the ALA website. The application deadline is November 7. YALSA 2014 Maker Contest Winners Announced To encourage libraries to include “making” activities in their summer reading programs, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) hosted a Maker Contest. From the 27 entries received, the following were selected as winners, and will receive a prize pack with various STEM and making related tools and resources.

• Jaclyn Anderson from the Madison County Library System in Canton, MS, offered ArtBot workshops that challenged teens to construct robots that could create drawings.
• Dianne Connery from the Pottsboro (TX) Area Public Library offered digital media training for teens at her library. Classes in video and still photography, video editing, InDesign, and Photoshop were held.
• Christie Gibrich from the Tony Shotwell Life Center Library in Grand Prairie, TX implemented a lab that allowed teens to learn the basics of coding and design through Raspberry Pi.
• Ivy Weir from the Bayard Taylor Memorial Library in Kennett Square, PA, created a six-week long Maker Camp that explored technology, art, and design.
• Gail Zachariah from the Keene (NH) Public Library implemented various making programs into her summer reading and learning program, one of which was a four-week workshop series called “Sew Electric.” Teen participants created light up bookmarks using conductive thread, LEDs, batteries, and fabric.

Teen Tech Week takes place March 8–14, 2015 with the theme “Libraries are for Making.”  You can find additional resources for making in your library at the YALSA wiki, including a free webinar and downloadable toolkit.