ALA News for September 25, 2018 NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION National writing contest launches to engage communities with literature America’s libraries are home to countless volumes and voices of diverse writers. They also are trusted public spaces for people to connect, receive community information and grow as readers and writers. The Public Library Association (PLA) today announced a new national writing contest that aims to build on the rich legacy of these vital community institutions. The contest invites writers of all backgrounds to submit short stories on the theme of courage. Winners can receive up to $1,000 and have the opportunity to be published in Short Story Dispensers—ATM-like kiosks that print short stories in a range of genres—around the world. The contest is hosted in collaboration with Short Édition, the creator of Short Story Dispensers, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. “Librarians know that literacy and reading are foundational for full civic participation. This partnership bolsters creative community expression and engagement—inspiring those who write to read more, and those who read to write better,” said PLA President Monique le Conge Ziesenhenne. “Our hope for this contest is to further connect our communities with literature, local libraries and each other.” http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/09/national-writing-contest-laun... Sarah Jessica Parker book club pick is a radiant retelling of Liberia’s early years Honorary Book Club Central Chair Sarah Jessica Parker has selected Wayétu Moore’s "She Would Be King" (Graywolf Press) as her latest pick for the American Library Association’s (ALA) Book Club Central. "She Would Be King" reimagines the story of Liberia’s early years through three unforgettable characters, intermingling history and magical realism. “It’s a privilege to announce 'She Would Be King' by Wayétu Moore as the new selection for Book Club Central,” Parker said. “This novel dazzles with beauty and transcendent, transformative humanity. Through the stories of Gbessa, June Dey, and Norman Aragon, Wayétu Moore illuminates what it means to be of and from places that are both faraway and inescapably familiar. I treasured every moment I spent in the pages of this book, and I’m thrilled to be able share it with all of you.” http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/09/sarah-jessica-parker-book-clu... Hlywak appointed director of ALA Communications and Marketing Stephanie M. Hlywak has been named ALA’s new director of Communications and Marketing, effective Oct. 1, 2018. She comes to ALA from the Muscular Dystrophy Association, where she served as national director of content marketing. At ALA, Hlywak will lead ALA Communications and Marketing, a reorganized unit of ALA bringing together the Public Awareness Office – including press relations, social media and public information – with an increased focus on marketing. She will join ALA’s management team, with the intent of strengthening consistent internal and external communications across the association. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/09/hlywak-appointed-director-ala... Reading motivation examined in new School Library Research article New research published in the American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) peer-reviewed online journal, School Library Research (SLR), reports the findings of two case studies focused on student reading motivation. SLR promotes and publishes high-quality original research concerning the management, implementation and evaluation of school library programs. Articles can be accessed for free at www.ala.org/aasl/slr<http://www.ala.org/aasl/slr>. http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/reading-motivation-examined-new-... ALA 2019 MIDWINTER MEETING Waugh selected to present paper for YALSA’s Trends Impacting YA Services session at 2019 ALA Midwinter http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/waugh-selected-present-paper-yal... AWARDS AND GRANTS Nominations open for 2019 EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2018/9/nominations-2019-emiert-distin... Nominations open for 2019 IFRT John Phillip Immroth Memorial Award http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/nominations-open-2019-ifrt-john-... Schools and Libraries speak out for banned books with Krug Fund Grants http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/schools-and-libraries-speak-out-... Public libraries invited to apply for American Creed Community Conversations programming grants http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/public-libraries-invited-apply-a... ALA PUBLISHING Designing, planning, and implementing career programming for teens http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/designing-planning-and-implement... An updated how-to-do-it manual for building digital libraries http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2018/09/updated-how-do-it-manual-buildin...