[ALA News]<http://www.ala.org/news/> Rural, small, and tribal libraries invited to apply for college and career readiness project [IMLS]<http://www.ala.org/news/sites/ala.org.news/files/news/pressreleaseimages/imls_logo_2c_5.jpg> Tue, 06/13/2017 Contact: Anna Lam Communications Specialist Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) alam@ala.org<mailto:alam@ala.org> Rural, small, and tribal libraries can apply<http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/4089N7j82Odn6We6E> now through September 1, 2017 for the second cohort of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and Association of Rural and Small Libraries<http://arsl.info/>’ (ARSL), “Future Ready with the Library: Connecting with Communities for College & Career Readiness Services<http://www.ala.org/yalsa/future-ready-library>” project. The project<http://www.ala.org/yalsa/future-ready-library>, now in its second year of implementation, is made possible through funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services<https://www.imls.gov/> and aims to create a customized learning program for and with library staff at rural, small, and tribal libraries to prepare middle schoolers with the 21st century skills needed to succeed in college and careers. The project also aims to help these libraries build and expand their capacity through community engagement and partnerships. For the second cohort, YALSA and ARSL will identify 30 successful applicants who will participate in a year-long experience that kicks off with a two-day orientation in Denver, CO, February 8-9, 2018. Cohort members will receive funding to travel to Denver and additional funds for their library to use to hire temporary staff to cover cohort members’ absence. For the remainder of 2018, cohort members will participate in online courses and discussions with the ultimate goal of planning, implementing and evaluating a college and career readiness (CCR) service for the middle schoolers in their community. As part of the project, cohort members will also receive two stipends: one to purchase CCR materials for their library and another to use towards a professional development activity, such as attendance at a state conference. Beyond the effort to provide support, resources and training directly to library staff, this project will also create an online community of practice as well as free, customizable resources for use by all libraries. To be eligible to participate, library staff must work at a library that satisfies at least one of the following requirements: * has a service area of 15,000 or less; * is more than 25 miles from an ‘urbanized area’ (as defined by the US Census); or * is established by an Indian nation or a public library on tribal lands Apply<http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/4089N7j82Odn6We6E> now through September 1, 2017. To learn more, visit www.ala.org/yalsa/future-ready-library<http://www.ala.org/yalsa/future-ready-library>. Next year, YALSA and ARSL will also recruit cohort members 2019. Sign up to receive email notifications about the project, including an announcement of when the next round of applications opens, via the online form<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FutureReadyUpdates>. The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa<http://www.ala.org/yalsa>, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org<mailto:yalsa@ala.org>. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov<http://www.imls.gov/> and follow us on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/USIMLS> and Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/us_imls>. Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Statewide Library Services Library of Michigan 517-335-8129 517-373-5700 f LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan>