YALSA's Future Ready with the Library: Connecting with Communities for College and Career Readiness Services

Deadline: September 1, 2017

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), in partnership with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL), is implementing an innovative project to build the capacity of small, rural, and tribal libraries to provide college and career readiness (CCR) services for middle  schoolers. Funding is provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and includes a stipend to purchase CCR materials, and funds to travel to Denver, CO, Feb. 8 - 9, 2018 for orientation during ALA Midwinter, including funds for temporary staffing help in your library during the conference. Funds are also provided to attend a conferences or other training opportunities locally to learn more about supporting CCR needs. The project is aimed at library staff in libraries with a service population of 15,000 or fewer, as well as libraries that are 25 miles or more from an urbanized area. 30 participants will be selected for the current cohort.

Future Ready with the Library Goals:

• Library staff at rural, small, and tribal libraries will learn effective methods for planning and implementing, with a local partner, CCR initiatives for and with middle schoolers and their families
• Middle schoolers and their families in rural, small, and tribal communities will gain valuable future ready information that will better prepare them for starting a career and/or focusing on academics related to a career after high school
• Middle schoolers in rural, small, and tribal libraries will engage in valuable career exploration and workforce preparation experiences
• Library staff in small, rural, and tribal libraries around the U.S. will develop a set of model programs and tools that can be used by a wide range of communities and libraries. 

The project FAQ is available and includes information on the project, the application process, and project expectations for participants. Potential applicants should read this information in order to gain an understanding of the activities they will be invited to participate in if selected for cohort 2. A pdf sample version of the application form is available for review when developing your submission. The application is available online:  http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/4089N7j82Odn6We6E.

If you have any questions about the application process or the project contact the Future Ready with the Library IMLS grant project manager, Linda W. Braun, lbraun@leonline.com.