LTLS - Quick Connections

Nominate Your Library for 2007 Coming Up Taller Award

Librarians and library advocates are encouraged to nominate their favorite library's arts and humanities program(s) for a 2007 Coming Up Taller Award. The President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH), in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), today announced the availability of the nomination application, and the deadline for nominations is January 31, 2007.

According to IMLS: "Each year the Coming Up Taller awards recognize and reward outstanding after-school and out-of-school arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth. Award recipients receive $10,000 each, an individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference. PCAH and its partners encourage programs initiated by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, universities, colleges, arts centers, community service organizations, schools, businesses, and eligible government entities to participate. Nomination guidelines and the application are available at www.imls.gov/pdf/2007CUTApplication.pdf."

Toyota International Teacher Program

Open to teachers of all disciplines in grades 9-12, nationwide, the Toyota International Teacher Program offers a fully-funded, 12-day professional development experience in Japan. Sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, the program will take place June 22 - July 7, 2007 and provide 40 educators with an opportunity to bring ancient and modern Japan back to their classrooms. Participants will travel through Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and surrounding rural areas examining the history, education system, environment and industry of Japan.

Since 1999, groups of American educators have journeyed annually to Japan to explore the country’s history, educational system, environment and technology. They have returned with renewed commitment as teachers and with fresh ideas for sharing first hand experiences and international perspectives with their students, colleagues and communities.

To apply online, visit www.iie.org/toyota. The application deadline is January 8, 2007.

Reaching Forward Seeks Nominations For Awards

The Reaching Forward Forum for Library Support Staff offers two awards of recognition. Please nominate yourself or a colleague for one of the following awards. The Robert P. Doyle Award – The purpose of this award is to encourage support staff attendance at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. The recipient will receive a one-year membership to the Illinois Library Association and registration and travel expenses to attend the ILA Annual Conference, not to exceed $750.00. Oberman/Rich Award – This award recognizes the contributions of a support staff member to the library community and to the role of support staff in libraries. The recipient will receive a one-year membership to the Illinois Library Association, free registration to Reaching Forward, a framed certificate, and up to $50.00 for expenses. Nominations should be sent to the Illinois Library Association, 33 W. Grand Avenue, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60610-4306. Write the award name on the lower left hand corner of the envelope. Winners will be announced at the Reaching Forward Conference of Library Assistants on May 18, 2007

2007 Information Literacy Summit

Save the date for the sixth annual Information Literacy Summit, “Working Together for Lifelong Learning.” Panelists representing a variety of library types will discuss how the library community can work together to maximize information literacy as it develops through and beyond school. Dates and locations: April 3, 2007 at Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Amy Glass, Coordinator (Amy.Glass@icc.edu, 309-694-5748); April 19, 2007, Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills, Laura Dare, Coordinator (Dare2@morainevalley.edu, 708-608-4045) or Barb Rys, Coordinator (Rys@morainevalley.edu, 708-974-5467); April 24, 2007, John A. Logan College, Carterville, Judy Vineyard, Coordinator (judyvineyard@jalc.edu, 618-985-3741, Ext. 8404).

ALA Exhibit - Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in cooperation with the Newberry Library, is accepting grant applications from public, academic and special libraries wishing to host the traveling exhibition, “Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country.” “Lewis and Clark” will bring public audiences a new set of ideas about the encounters of Native Americans with the United States Corps of Discovery between 1804 and 1806, and will trace the dramatic impact of those encounters during the subsequent two centuries.

Libraries selected for the tour will host the 1,000 square foot exhibition for a six-week period. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public.

Public, academic and special libraries interested in hosting the exhibition can download the application and guidelines at http://www.ala.org/publicprograms or request a copy by sending an e-mail message to publicprograms@ala.org. Applications are due by February 9, 2007.

Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Exemplary Humanities Programming

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office (PPO) in cooperation with the American Association of School Librarians, a division of ALA, is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the newly established Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award for Exemplary Humanities Programming. Elementary or middle school (public or private) libraries, or any school library program that serves children in any combination of grades K-8, are eligible to apply.

The Sara Jaffarian Award provides a $4,000 cash grant and plaque to a school library that has conducted an exemplary program or program series in the humanities. The selected library will participate in a PPO-sponsored national training opportunity, highlighting their award-winning program as a model for others to develop outstanding humanities programs. Award guidelines and application are available online at http://www.ala.org/jaffarianaward. Deadline: February 28, 2007.