This grant is designed to encourage outstanding summer reading programs by providing financial assistance, while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development. The program must be open to all children from birth to age 14. This $3,000 grant is made possible by Baker & Taylor, a leading distributor of books, videos and music products to libraries, institutions and retailers.

Ames Public Library will use grant funds to encourage literacy—both reading and scientific—in children from infancy to third grade, by means of the collaborative summer reading consortium’s theme: Fizz, Boom, Read. Daily activities will be based around various stations meant to develop writing skills, explore the scientific method and otherwise feature the practices of writing, singing, conversation and playing. Additionally, the Book Buddies tutoring program, featuring individualized sessions made up of volunteers from nearby Iowa State University and other community participants, will be available and targeted toward kindergarten through third grade students reading below grade-level proficiency. Ames Public Library will also work alongside The Story County Hunger Collaboration and the Iowa Department of Education to administer a daily lunch and snack program for the eight-week duration of its summer reading program.

"Some librarians wouldn't apply for a summer reading grant when their library was being renovated and unavailable—but not Jerri Heid and the Ames community," said Nancy Baumann, grant administrations chair. "Ms. Heid was able to secure a large gym to provide a structured, educational, and fun program to serve the literary needs of the entire family. By collaborating with five agency and volunteer groups, the Ames Public Library is hosting one of the most innovative summer reading programs on a shoestring, and without a library."

ALSC, a division of the , is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit ALSC’s website at .

Members of the 2014 ALSC Grant Administration Committee include: Nancy Baumann, chair, University of Missouri School of Information Science & Learning Technologies; Sondra Sue Eklund, Fairfax County (Va.) Public Library; Jonathan Hunt, San Diego (Calif.) County Office of Education; Susan Poulter, Main Library Nashville (Tenn.) Public Library; Elizabeth Stalford, Bellevue (Wash.) Public Library; Julie Danielson, Deanna Mae Romriell, Salt Lake City (Utah) Public Library; Patty Saidenberg, New York, N.Y.; Destinee Sutton, Burien (Wash.) Library.