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CHICAGO -- The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the 91��ý (91��ý), has announced that New Carrollton Library is the recipient of the 2017-2018 ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant. As the winner of the grant, the library will receive $3,000 for their “Literacy & Library Skills for Refugee Families” program.

The Light the Way Grant, which honors Newbery medalist and Geisel winner Kate DiCamillo, is now in its eighth year. Although originally conceived as a one-time award, it has continued to be presented with the kind generosity of Candlewick Press.

With this grant, The New Carrollton Library will reach their goal of expanding outreach and programming offerings for refugee families in a local community apartment housing center. The program is designed to address the needs of both mothers and their children.

The Library Service to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee, the group that administers the grant, felt that this application really presented an innovative and holistic approach to serving a vulnerable pocket in the community.

Program coordinator, Meisywe Cavanaugh, stated that “The New Carrollton Library will use the funding to purchase more equipment and early literacy materials to help mothers and children from Afghanistan and other neighboring countries”. Families will have the opportunity to obtain library cards, develop skills, learn the English language, and children will be offered all the early literacy tools that the library can provide in an environment where the mothers and children feel safe and comfortable.

Candlewick Press is an independent, employee-owned publisher based in Somerville, Mass. Candlewick publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages. Candlewick's parent company is Walker Books Ltd., of London with additional offices in Sydney and Auckland.

ALSC, a division of the 91��ý, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s Web site at .