Apply now for a Libraries Ready to Code grant from ALA. The grant program, sponsored generously by Google, will fund a cohort of school and public libraries to design computational thinking and computer science programs for and with youth, including underrepresented youth. A total of 25-50 grants up to $25,000 each are available. Info session August 1; grant deadline August 31.
For more information, please read the ALSC Blog post “Get Your Library Ready to Code” below by Christy Estrovitz, Youth Services for San Francisco Public Library and chair of the ALSC Public Awareness Committee.
ALA and Google team up to bring more coding activities and opportunities to youth through Libraries Ready to Code Phase III. As education partners in every community, libraries are uniquely positioned to help kids connect their interests with learning opportunities. Coding activities provide kids with chances to exercise their critical thinking, problem solving, and tech savvy skills which are transferable to many career pathways.
“All kids benefit from coding activities– not only those planning to work in technology-specific fields,” said Marijke Visser, Libraries Ready to Code project manager. “The CT skills youth develop through coding activities prepare kids for success no matter where they head when they leave high school. Ready to Code librarians help kids connect their interests to learning opportunities in college or to careers they may not have even considered, especially for youth from diverse backgrounds.”
Start talking to your team, supervisor, library director and get ready to apply! YALSA, in partnership with AASL and ALSC, will administer the $500,000 sponsorship from Google. The program runs July 2017 through June 2018. Application opens in late July. Sign up here for the important updates. Learn more during the free informational webinar on August 1, 2017 at 2:30pm (eastern). Reserve a seat for the session using this form. Happy coding!
Christy Estrovitz leads Youth Services for San Francisco Public Library and chairs the ALSC Public Awareness Committee. She welcomes your questions and stories via christy.estrovitz@sfpl.org.
Submitted by Marla Sepnafski.