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CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) are accepting applications to participate in the Welcoming Spaces National Forum on June 25, 2020 in Chicago, IL, as part of a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The purpose of this project is to develop and share a set of best practices in serving immigrants and refugees in libraries and children's museums. Selected participants will represent 12 children’s museums and 12 libraries with experience in serving immigrants and refugees, and up to 24 of their partnering organizations. The ALSC-ACM project team will prioritize selecting for a diverse group with respect to geography, size, service type, and project duration. Preference will be given to participants that plan to attend the event as a collaborating team. Applications will be accepted until February 28 and selected applicants will be notified by March 31, 2020.

ALSC President Cecilia McGowan encourages ALSC and ACM members to use this opportunity to collaborate with community and regional partners to share their experiences and learn from peers across the nation, as we do everything we can to serve immigrants and refugees. Added ACM Executive Director Laura Huerta Migus, “Children’s museums are more than places to visit—they are unique community institutions where family, culture, environment, and society are recognized as critical factors in all children’s lives to effectively serve them. By sharing our expertise, we can create strategies to ensure we are truly Welcoming Spaces for all immigrants and refugees.”

The ALSC/ACM Project Team will review completed applications with the following priorities:

- Geographic, Racial/Ethnic, Service Type Diversity

- Collaborative teams

- Range of project duration

Stipends for travel (up to $500) and lodging & meal (up to $463) expenses will be provided to participants on a reimbursement basis.

If you are an ACM or ALSC member and your library has had success serving immigrants and refugees, apply for consideration online at .

For more information, contact ALSC’s Program Officer for Projects and Partnerships, Angela Hubbard, at ahubbard@ala.org or (312) 280-1398.

About 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 .

About ACM

The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) champions children’s museums worldwide. With more than 460 members in 50 states and 19 countries, ACM leverages the collective knowledge of children’s museums through convening, sharing and dissemination. Learn more at .

About IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit and follow us on and .