UPDATE: Deadline extended to May 18th! READING IS GRAND! CELEBRATING GRAND-FAMILIES TELLING OUR STORIES @ YOUR LIBRARY A Family Literacy Project of Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. 2018 Grant Information Sponsored by BCALA  Reading Is Grand Program Overview Reading Is Grand! Celebrating Grand-Families @ Your Library is an intergenerational literacy program designed to reach out to Africa American children and families through shared stories. Reading is Grand! is a celebration of the important role African American grandparents and older adults play in the lives of children. It is through their infinite wisdom and experiences that children learn the unique cultural and familial values that help them grow into valuable contributors to the community Sharing stories, both oral, written, and visual, are the building blocks of literacy. It is through this exchange that children learn about their world and how people relate to each other in it. Shared stories and culture inspire growth, encourage exploration, and boost self-esteem. The program builds literacy through read aloud activities, storytelling, arts and crafts, music, dance, and drama. The strength of the program is to establish a method for grandparents and older adults to build literacy and cultural heritage connections between themselves, grandchildren, and children. The Reading Is Grand! Celebrating Grand-Families @ Your Library literacy grant is designed to provide financial support to libraries and community organizations who want to introduce the Reading Is Grand! literacy program into the library setting focusing on African American culture. Grant Criteria Programs must focus on the Reading Is Grand! program concept with an emphasis on African American culture and traditions and literacy activities. Selection criteria will be based on creativity and originality of the Reading Is Grand! program. Selection will also be based on the action plan, level of community involvement, impact of the program, and publicity. Grant Deadline and Award Announcement Applications must be received by May 11, 2018. Award will be announced on June 24, 2018 during the BCALA Membership Meeting at the ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. Grant Amount $500 grant from BCALA *All flyers, publicity, and correspondences regarding the 2018 grant program must state, “This event is sponsored by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc.” Grant Period: The program must be held during the month of September 2018. (Note: National Grandparents Day is September 9, 2018.) Use of Grant Funds Recipient will be awarded $500 to purchase books, supplies, and/or activities for their program based upon their creativity and originality. (Note: A financial report and narrative program report, and 15 digital photos of the event must be received by November 1, 2018.) Grant reports which do not indicate funds were spent appropriately will result in the awardee returning the financial award for a full or partial amount. Please submit the Reading Is Grand! grant application describing the type of program, the action plan, and what your library or library/community organization would do with the grant award. (see application by clicking this link.) Send completed application via Email or FAX to: Karen Lemmons, Chair Reading Is Grand! - 2018: A Family Literacy Project of the BCALA FAX: (313) 494-2129 Email: [email protected] This Reading Is Grand! Project is supported by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. It was developed as part of 2009 – 2010 American Library Association President Camila Alire’s Family Literacy Focus Initiative through the ALA Office for Literacy & Outreach Services. APPROVED: Denyvetta Davis, President, BCALA      Read More...