91´«Ã½

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2019 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to the Lewiston Public Library in Lewiston, New York.

This grant is designed to encourage outstanding summer reading programs by providing financial assistance, while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development. The program must be open to all children from birth to age 14. Programming that provides for inclusion of children with physical and mental disabilities is encouraged. This $3,000 grant is made possible by Baker & Taylor, a leading distributor of books, videos, and music products to libraries, institutions and retailers.

The Lewiston Public Library serves the town of Lewiston, a segment of the Tuscarora Nation, and a portion of the town of Niagara. Of their service area, just over 20 percent are children age 14 and under, and serves many patrons outside of their assigned service area, particularly those with special needs. Due to budget cuts and constrictions, the library has been limited in its attempt to offer adapted activities and equipment and STEM programming for younger patrons.

The funds will support the addition of sensory storytimes to better serve their special needs children and their families and create more inclusive programming and activities through adaptive activities; practices and equipment, designed with input from occupational and physical therapists and educational specialists. In addition to programming for older children, and in line with this year’s Collaborative Summer Library Program: A Universe of Stories, children will explore and create with moon sand, constellation charts, and rocket ships. The library will also host an indoor planetarium program and host evening programs to track the phases of the moon and observe the night sky. Activities have been adapted for those with differing abilities so that all children can participate in the programs offered.

“The committee was impressed by the library’s thoughtful and detailed response to the needs of the children and families in their community,” said Ariana Hussain, 2019 Grant Administration chair. “Funding for these initiatives will allow the library to have inclusive programming for children of all abilities this summer and in programming throughout the year.”

“Congratulations to Lewiston Public Library which has set the bar very high in creating an inclusive, thoughtful, and unique summer reading program,” said Jill Faherty, Vice President of Library Programs at Baker & Taylor. “Baker & Taylor is proud that the committee took the time, thoroughly considered all of the candidates, and ultimately awarded a program that will actively engage all of their community.”

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is driven by more than 4,000 members dedicated to the support and enrichment of library service to children. Our members include youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty. ALSC supports its members in engaging communities to build healthy, successful futures for all children. To learn more about ALSC and how to join, please visit: .