GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND COMPETITIONS

Applications are now open for the 2015 Coretta Scott King Book Donation Grants sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Underfunded libraries, schools and non-traditional organizations that provide educational services to children are invited to apply. Three selected libraries will receive copies of more than 60 titles submitted for consideration for the 2015 Coretta Scott King awards, including a full set of the winning titles. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31, 2015, and winners will be announced by early March. Check out SLJ’s post for more information about the grant. In early December, myON, creator of personalized literacy environments for pre-K–grade 12, announced that nominations are now open for the Second Annual Legends in Literacy Awards. The awards will recognize one individual and one team for their work and commitment to literacy, demonstrating leadership in reading improvement and best practices involving the community, and encouraging widespread reading within their school and community. Nominations are due February 1, 2015 with winners announced March 31. Awards will be presented during the International Reading Association's 60th Annual Conference in St. Louis, MO, from July 17–20, 2015. More information is provided here. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is now accepting online applications for the 2015 Bookapalooza Program. This program offers select libraries a collection of materials to be used in a way that creatively enhances their library service to children and families. The materials are primarily for children ages 0–14 and include newly published books, videos, audiobooks, and recordings from children’s trade publishers. Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2015. For more information about the award requirements and submitting the online application, please visit the website.

HONORS AND PRIZES

Finalists have been announced for the Morris Award. The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first awarded in 2009, honors a debut book published by a first time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. The awards will be presented on February 2, from 10:30 am to 12 pm CT at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. Click here to see the full list of finalists. The American Folklore Society has announced its winners of the Aesop Prize and Accolades for folk literature for children and young adults. See the full list of recipients.

Ebooks and E-Libraries

On December 12, digital media platform OverDrive announced that the best selling children’s book series by Dr. Seuss is now available for libraries and schools in the U.S. and Canada. Here's some sample text and the full list of books.

Upgrades, Launches, and partnerships

In late November, Pearson announced its new initiative KidsTeam, the result of the company’s long-term collaboration with the University of Maryland’s Human Computer Interaction Lab. Children and product team members work collaboratively to create solutions with real world applications, while building skills in subjects such as Technology and Math through hands-on learning. During the upcoming school year, the team will work on an early literacy mobile application, geometry game design, and enhancements to a library of reusable, interactive instructional components used across multiple solutions. Further program details provided on their website. New York's Buffalo Public Schools announced a partnership with the Buffalo & Erie County (NY) Public Library earlier this month. All students will now be able to gain access to the exact same online resources they have at school at any county library. Students would also have the same access to that information at home through their computer, tablet or phone, if they have Internet service, and will have free access to software-based programs that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars to buy off the shelf. Read more about the partnership here.

Events

The official Teen Tech Week (TTW) website of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is live with updated materials for the TTW 2015 celebration. This year features the theme “Libraries are for Making…” and takes place March 8–14, 2015. The making theme encourages libraries to promote itself as a place where teens can pursue their interests via hands-on activities and extend learning beyond the classroom. For more information, read the program’s press release. ALSC, in collaboration with the Children’s Book Council (CBC), will be hosting a Day of Diversity (DOD): Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Library Program on January 30, 2015 in Chicago, IL. Check out the event’s full press release to learn more. Registration is now open for the Winter 2015 ALSC Online Course season. Classes start January 5, 2015. Three of the courses being offered this semester are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs). Here is a list of upcoming courses: Children with Disabilities in the Library 6 weeks, January 5–February 13, 2015 CEU Certified Course, 3 CEUs Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs Made Easy 4 weeks, January 5–January 30, 2015 CEU Certified Course, 1.2 CEUs Storytelling with Puppets 4 weeks, January 5–January 30, 2015 Storytime Tools 4 weeks, January 5–January 30, 2015 CEU Certified Course, 2 CEUs Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC Online Learning site.

More Bites

This month, Scholastic released the infographic What Kids Want in Books, a "sneak preview" from the fifth edition of the bi-annual Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report. The report is a national survey of children ages 6–17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around reading books for fun. According to 70 percent of kids ages 6–17, books that "make me laugh" rank highest on the list across all ages. For more information, see the full press release. Día is a nationally recognized ALA-supported initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. You can learn more about Día's free resources, including booklists, coloring sheets, toolkits, book club curricula, and more, by visiting its Facebook page and website. ALSC has released three new Graphic Novel Reading Lists intended for children from K–8. PDFs of the booklists are available online and are free to download, copy, and distribute. The titles were selected, compiled, and annotated by members of the ALSC Quicklists Consulting Committee.