Libri Foundation Grant Opportunity

The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2009 Book for Children grants. The next deadline for applications is April 15. The foundation has three application deadlines each year, so if you miss this one, applications are also accepted August 15th and January 15, 2009.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the United States. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $3,500,000 worth of new children's books to more than 2,600 libraries in 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, the Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months (or longer if necessary) to raise their matching funds.
The librarian of each participating library selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of children's literature published primarily in the last three years. These titles, which are for children ages 12 and under, are award-winners or have received starred reviews in library, literary, or education journals. The booklist also includes a selection of classic children's titles.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000) Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department. Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. Libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 and county libraries with total operating budgets over $350,000 are rarely given grants.

A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library (i.e., it is open to everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town). A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural. If the branch library receives its funding from its parent institution, then the parent institution's total operating budget, not just the branch library's total operating budget, must meet the budget guidelines.

Previous Books for Children grant recipients are eligible to apply for another grant three years after the receipt of their last grant. Libraries that do not fulfill all grant requirements, including the final report, may not apply for another grant. Grants will be awarded April 30th and August 31st. Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at http://www.librifoundation.org.

For more information about The Libri Foundation or its Books for Children program, please contact Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, P.O. Box 10246, Eugene, OR 97440; 541-747-9655 (phone); 541-747-4348 (fax); libri@librifoundation.org (email). Normal office hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time.

Source: System Youth Services Liasons December 2009 Posting

Reminder from Barb Huntington

There will be no State incentive from DLTCL for the 2009 Summer Library Program.

2009 Important Dates for Teen Programming

March 8-14: Teen Tech Week

April 12-18: National Library Week

April 16: Support Teen Literature Day

October 18-24: Teen Read Week

Two Cool Web Sites

Here are two web site you should try when planning programs for preschoolers:

www.preschooleducation.com

www.childfun.com

Issues Regarding Libraries Posting of Photos on Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, and Library Web Pages

Bryan Carson, a librarian and attorney at Western Kentucky University, wrote an article for the September/October 2008 edition of the on-line newsletter, "Marketing Library Services"(MLS). Carson addressed the issues involved with the public library use of photographs taken at programs on web pages or on social networking sites.

Carson explains that public libraries need written permission to use photos for marketing or promotional purposes when persons are identifiable. These would be the primary reasons libraries would post photos of their events. Carson also explains that crowd shots taken from the back of the room, revealing no faces do not require permission.

Carson discusses the "Right of Publicity" law, which assures the individual's right to control use of their own images for marketing or commercial purposes. This law gives them the right to stop others from using their image without permission. Carson feels the right of publicity law applies to blogs, web sites and social networking sites.

Carson urges libraries to get written permission to use photos taken at library events if people can be identified. Parents must give written permission for minors. He recommends that libraries keep the permission forms as long as the statute of limitations allows the library to be sued. He said the longest statutes are 6 years in New Jersey.

Many libraries routinely distribute permission release forms to parents at registration for story programs or other special events that may cover the entire story program series or summer library program. A sample photo and video tape release form are included on page 35 of the 2009 CSLP manual.

As a point of clarification, Carson said there is an allowance for library newsletters if the photos are used in a "newsworthy context," rather than for promotion. Summaries of recent library events and photos of them posted on blogs and library web pages can fall under the umbrella of "news." However, recent events have to be timely and Carson suggests libraries keep photos up no longer than about two weeks. He discourages libraries from archiving their event photos on sites like Flickr. Carson encourages librarians to get clarification of the Right of Publicity law as it applies to local libraries from their municipal attorneys.

For more information go to www.infotoday.com/mls/sep08/Carson.shtml

Source: Barb Huntington's November Posting for YS Liasons