December opportunities for NTRLS members

Don't miss these opportunities for NTRLS member libraries!

Do you have a literacy program at your library, or do you want to start one? We are still seeking partners for next year's grant application to support the Libraries for Literacy program. Please submit your partnership application by December 15. Details of the program and the partnership application are at http://ntrls2.org/default.asp?action=article&ID=393.

The UNT Health Science Center will come to your library to offer a workshop for your patrons on locating authoritative health information on the Internet. Workshops will take place in March / April 2011. If you are interested, please let Adam Wright know by December 31 so that you can be worked into the schedule.

Adam Wright is available to speak to local clubs and organizations to promote your library in the community. Contact Lynn Gritta at the NTRLS System Office for information.

Registration is now open for the 2011 North Texas Conference for Library Supporters. Visit the CE Portal on NTRLS.org to register.

Don't forget to sign up for online continuing education courses through LE@D. For more information see http://www.ntrls2.org/default.asp?action=article&ID=333 .

This month the NTRLS website features library services to the homebound. Follow the NTRLS Homebound Project Blog for updates about our pilot projects.

To keep up with news from North Texas Library Partners, sign up for the NTLP-Announce email list or the NTLP-CE email list. Find information at the NTRLS.org website,

Follow North Texas Library Partners on Facebook or Twitter

ALA Announces Outreach Grant Program

American Library Association Announces Outreach Grant Program for Federal Writers' Project Documentary

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/rfp_item.jhtml?id=212100018

Deadline: July 11, 2008

The American Library Association, in partnership with Spark Media, a Washington, D.C.-based production and outreach company, has announced an innovative library outreach program to enhance and increase the nationwide impact of Spark Media's documentary film, "Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project." Major funding for the program has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The film and library outreach program is designed to acquaint public, academic and special library audiences with the story of the largest cultural experiment in U.S. history — the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration — told against the backdrop of the Depression and 1930s America.

Following an application process, 30 libraries will be selected to each receive a $2,500 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to present five different public outreach programs during the period of the national broadcast of "Soul of a People" in the Spring of 2009.

The grants will be used for scholar honoraria, book purchases, publicity and other program-associated costs. Libraries will be asked to enlist from a local college or university a lead project scholar with expertise in American history, the WPA and/or the WPA era to help present and plan programs, ensure that program content conveys intended humanities themes, and work with local media and other partners in planning.

Librarians applying for "Soul of a People" grants must register their institution at Grants.gov. Prospective applicants are advised to register with Grants.gov as soon as possible, since the process can take up to two weeks to complete.

The application and guidelines for "Soul of a People" and complete instructions for registering and applying through Grants.gov may be found at the ALA Web site.

Contact:Link to Complete RFP

Bedford Public Library Wins Teen Tech Week Mini Grant from ALA/YALSA

Bedford Public Library is the only library in the state - and one of ONLY 20 in the nation - named to receive a Teen Tech Week Mini Grant from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA). The grants give each winning library $450 cash and $50 worth of Teen Tech Week products to offer inventive activities, resources and services to celebrate Teen Tech Week, March 2-8.

The 2008 Teen Tech Week Mini Grants are made possible by Teen Tech Week 2008 Corporate Sponsor Dungeons & Dragons, a subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

For a complete list of the winners, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw08/contests/winners.cfm

Additional information about Teen Tech Week is available at http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Teen_Tech_Week

To list your library's plans, or to find out more about Teen Tech Week events, visit http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Tune_In_%40_Your_Library_resources#Teen_Tech_Week_2008_.40_.2Ayour.2A_library (Registration required to post.)

For more information, contact YALSA at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4390 or yalsa@ala.org.