LibraryAware RCLS News 12-14-2020

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December 14, 2020

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NEA Big Read Grants

Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program, The NEA Big Read provides grants of up to $20,000 for community-wide reading programs (virtual and/or in-person).

Organizations selected to participate in the program receive a grant, educational and promotional materials, and access to online training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations will be selected and programs should be held September 1, 2021—June 30, 2022. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $20,000. There are six titles available for 2021-2022 programming and readers and teachers guides for each book: An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, Beloved by Toni Morrison, The Best We Could Do: An Illustrated Memoir by Thi Bui, The Call of the Wild, White Fang, and Other Stories by Jack London, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, and The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.

Deadline: January 27, 2021. Learn more about the NEA Big Read via these grant guidelines and at this link: https://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/neabigread/about.

Professional Development Opportunity

NYLA Friends of Libraries Section Webinar

The Friends of Libraries Section of the New York Library Association is pleased to offer this one-hour webinar: "Effective, Efficient Boards and Board Meetings," presented by Judy Siegel, Esq., of the Pro Bono Partnership on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 2 pm.

Regardless of the size of a board for a nonprofit organization, the officers and directors must meet specific requirements. Judy Siegel will explain these particular accountabilities. The session will review nonprofit boards' legal and fiduciary duties and include ways to provide the best oversight possible for the organization to keep it functioning effectively. Learn what documents should be kept in your board book, how technology can and cannot be used to conduct board business, and practical strategies for more successful meetings.

Registration is open on NYLA's website: www.nyla.org. This webinar is open to all. The charge for the webinar is $25 for NYLA personal or organizational members (who are not members of FLS) and $35 for those who are not members of NYLA.

Judy Siegel, Esq., is Senior Staff Attorney with the Pro Bono Partnership (New York Office) which provides direct legal services to nonprofit organizations in New York, including libraries and their Friends groups.

Apply Now: Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, an annual grant supporting innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. It provides $2,000 for a public, academic, or special library to expand its community engagement efforts.

Each year, the grant focuses on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme. For the 2020–2021 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on anti-racism. Visit the grant guidelines for resources on anti-racist theory and practices.

Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining activities for a library-led community engagement project. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – including library patrons, residents, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.

Applications will be accepted between Dec. 1, 2020, and Feb. 5, 2021. View the full award guidelines and apply online at www.ala.org/LTCEG.

Register Today! Registration Closes January 15, 2021, Noon Central

Peggy Barber Tribute Grant

The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the inaugural Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. The Grant supports meaningful programs in libraries with limited programming budgets. Up to three grants of $2,500 will be awarded annually. This year, libraries are invited to submit applications in support of humanities-based programming. The funding may be used to continue an existing program or create a new one. All library types including public, academic and special libraries are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either ALA or the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Applications for the 2021 award will be accepted from December 1st, 2020, to February 5th, 2021. Read the grant guidelines and apply online by visiting Peggy Barber Grant website.

News Worthy

Libraries across Japan installing machines that sterilize books with UV light | NY Post 12.9.20
Library’s ‘Polar Express Pajama Party’ draws RSVPs from across North America | triblive.com 12.9.20
Louisiana Parish Library budget meeting turns into heated debate | myarklamiss.com 12.9.20
Who is behind the fake Trump Presidential Library website? We talk to the anonymous architect | L.A. Times 12.7.20
Roosevelt Library continues to become a reality | North Dakota Daily News 11.30.20

Forthcoming Bestsellers

Member libraries' staff can direct their patrons to the Winter 2021 Forthcoming Bestsellers list now online. Copies can also be printed out for your patrons when the libraries reopen.

RCLS Board Meeting

The materials for the Monday, December 21, RCLS Board Meeting are

now on the RCLS Website. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. For dial-in information, contact Grace Riario, Executive Director (ext. 233 or griario@rcls.org). This is an open meeting and all are invited to attend.

In keeping with Executive Order 202.14 (regarding emergency adjustments to the Open Meetings Law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic), the public is not permitted in-person access to this meeting, and the meeting shall be held remotely via Zoom online meeting software. As required by the Governor’s Order, the public will have the ability to view and listen to such proceeding (Zoom Link), and the meeting shall be recorded, and made available on the RCLS website.

RCLS Headquarters Directory

The RCLS team is available to help you via email and phone.
Don't hesitate to reach out. 845.243.3747

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