PLA Blog

These two tidbits came to me care of the ALA Public Programs Office email list. There are more grants and awards (with upcoming deadlines), events, and news listings listed on the ALA Public Programs Office part of the ALA site, as well as information on how to subscribe to the email listserv.

Carnegie Whitney Grant Deadline Approaching
http://www.ala.org/work/pubs/Carnegie.html
The American Library Association Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes, or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library. Applications must be received by November 6, 2006. Recipients will be notified by the end of February 2007.

ALA Seeks Grant Applicants for New We the People Bookshelf
http://www.ala.org/wethepeople
This year, we are offering 2,000 sets of classic books for children on the theme the “Pursuit of Happiness.” To apply, simply complete the easy online application by describing how your library will create a theme-related program that highlights the Bookshelf titles. Applications are due by January 31, 2007.

I’ve noticed a plethora of surveys and other feedback requests for librarians out there recently. You may want to consider offering your solicited opinion to these efforts, your voice counts!

ALA Web Site Usability Survey
http://tinyurl.com/y6yhta
Love it? Hate it? Let them know by taking the survey. While there is no published deadline for taking the survey (all accounts I’ve seen note the deadline as “late October 2006″), it is still up as of today, so take a moment to help ALA improve the web site.

ALA Online Resource Center for Library Cultural Programming Survey
http://tinyurl.com/tebaw

The ALA Public Programs Office is developing a resource called “The Online Resource Center for Library Cultural Programming” (ORC). The ORC will be a “one stop” web site where librarians interested in cultural programming can find all the information they need to learn about and present quality public programs, program ideas, presenters, partners, funding, training and materials. … Responses are requested by NOVEMBER 20, 2006.

Library Journal Sixth Annual Movers & Shakers
HTML form:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6358087.html (LJ notes that you may want to print your HTML form before submitting)
PDF form:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/contents/pdf/LJMoveShakeForm.pdf

“The sixth annual Movers & Shakers supplement will profile 50-plus up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the library field, Movers & Shakers 2007 will celebrate the new professionals who are moving our libraries ahead. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2006.”

2007 ALA Recognition Awards and Grants
http://tinyurl.com/wzw86
“Nominations are being sought for the 2007 American Library Association (ALA) Recognition Awards and Grants. Unless otherwise noted, the deadline for awards is December 1.” There are 15+ awards to choose from, so if you know of a deserving library or librarian, take a look a the list and show them some love.

Google Librarian Center and Newsletter Survey (added 2:30pm)
http://tinyurl.com/yg8yw6

The purpose of this survey is to help us identify how we can improve the Librarian Center and Newsletter to better fit your needs. … We hope that you’ll take the 10-15 minutes to complete this survey and let us know more about you and what you’d like to see from our program. … Please note that the survey will close on October 31st, 2006.