91´«Ã½

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is pleased to announce two membership funding opportunities for students and library workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color (BIPOC). Prioritizing BIPOC students and library workers directly of increasing the intentional recruitment and retention of a diverse membership, while reducing barriers to participation.

The first funding opportunity, , will support the 91´«Ã½ and ALSC membership renewals of BIPOC ALSC members who are experiencing any form of financial hardship due to the impacts of COVID-19 and who have been engaged within the Association over the last two years. The will be funding up to 50 one-year renewals and the ALSC Membership Committee will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis through June 2021. More information about this opportunity including context, criteria and requirements can be found on the ALSC website: .

The second funding option, ALSC’s , will welcome 20 new BIPOC library students and paraprofessionals/library support staff who want to become more involved with ALSC and demonstrate an interest in library service to children. Recipients will receive a one-year 91´«Ã½/ALSC membership along with opportunities for meaningful engagement. ALSC’s Membership Committee, in collaboration with ALSC’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, will be reviewing applications through April 12, 2021. More information about this opportunity including context, criteria and requirements can be found on the ALSC website by visiting: .

“COVID-19 continues to disproportionately and negatively impact communities of color; therefore, now more than ever, prioritizing our BIPOC colleagues for these funding opportunities is vital to our Association,” said ALSC President, Kirby McCurtis. “We look forward to our continued intentional work of building a diverse and inclusive membership.”

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 our website at www.ala.org/alsc.