Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for Libraries in Michigan Meet Up & Eat Up & Read Up! Kari Day, MDE SFS Program Consultant, recorded this short video just for Michigan's public libraries. Watch to learn how you can discover if your library is eligible to serve as a site for summer food and additional ways you might better meet the needs of youth in your community this summer. Recording: SFSP Library Outreach<https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/play/fhV3t6LEXekjM_j0ZYzkFm1-UyKvuZ1ACv_-x66vuEb5MWAFMVcunndTbx_feHOOEUGWi3tO0SDJoZqs.1oNtx-DqNaVUn0Lu?eagerLoadZvaPages=sidemenu.billing.plan_management&accessLevel=meeting&canPlayFromShare=true&from=my_recording&startTime=1772639444000&componentName=rec-play&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus06web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2F38W-FbAS_g5vAlQbCqnBjnuoG2yebh_yCkTpLmWDlOkMyc4ep3yB60YEA4KVG0qP.__DRjmT4QQN8rOxd%3FstartTime%3D1772639444000> (approx. 8 mins) and Slides<https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vwbi4dzvwFnP-ExThNNE9uL7IhAOQqjJ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111845546272494808031&rtpof=true&sd=true>. Additional information can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/food/summer. Registration for libraries to join opens up April 1, 2026. Resources Host Kwame Alexander at Your Institution! Applications are open<https://airtable.com/appP8BHjgnZO8GWqx/shr1jZh8bSe06yXWz> for the 2027 Children's Literature Lecture. Host site applications can be submitted using the 2027 Children’s Literature Lecture webform. The application deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2026. The lecture is traditionally held in April or early May, and the host site receives a $2,000 honorarium to assist with production expenses. The host institution site may be a library, university, special collection, or other appropriate organization. The lectureship may be sponsored by more than one institution. Don't miss this unique opportunity to bring award-winning author Kwame Alexander to your community. He is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 44 books, including the Newbery Medal winner The Crossover. Alexander is a strong supporter of libraries and shares his passion for books, writing, and literacy at book festivals and literacy symposia around the globe. 2026 Día Reading Lists for Free Download! A great resource for readers' advisory. Celebrate Día this year with engaging stories for children representing a variety of cultures and backgrounds. This year's Día reading lists are available in English AND Spanish and free to download and distribute to your patrons to share the #bookjoy! The lists are a great supplement to Día programming and stand on their own as a trusted guide for families looking for diverse books. Don't forget the National Día Program Registry<https://www.ala.org/alsc/initiatives/dia/national-dia-program-registry-form?_zs=Fu5vg1&_zl=Na2fA>. Tell us about your programs and promote them on the registry. Check out the 2026 Día Reading Lists! Children and Screens’ new Research-at-a-Glance, “Video Gaming and Youth,” synthesizes the latest research into a clear, easy-to-read resource for parents and educators<https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/video-gaming-and-youth/>, including: * How high levels of gaming may affect mental and physical health * Potential benefits for youth social and cognitive development * Risks of aggressive behavior and violent video game play * Game design features that can encourage excessive engagement and spending * Warning signs for when youth gaming becomes problematic * Risks unique to communal spaces in multiplayer games Children's Book Council The 2026 Kids Favorites! From August 2025 to February 2026, thousands of young people read and rated hundreds and hundreds of new 2025 picture books, early chapter books, middle-grade books, and YA titles. We are very proud to announce the results of one of our flagship programs, KIDS FAVORITES: Kid Read. Kid Chosen! We have designed a new look and are issuing the results of the voting a month earlier than usual. The PDFs and spreadsheets we’ve created are the most downloaded features on the CBC site every year. The top 40 vote-getters out of hundreds of books read and rated per grade category – K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and 9th-12th grade – make it to the list. A diversity of content, creators, and publishers has always been a hallmark of this program. You can access the PDF, the spreadsheet, and the visual list with all the book covers on our website<https://cbcbooks.org/>.<https://cbcbooks.org/> Freedom to Read Foundation Programming Grants Each year, the Freedom to Read Foundation distributes $1,000 grants for organizations to support activities that raise awareness of intellectual freedom and censorship issues during Banned Books Week (October 4-10, 2026). Staff at all types of libraries, schools, universities, and non-profit community organizations are encouraged to apply. Applications due April 6.<https://americanlibraryassociation.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMjI5NTI3NCZwPTEmdT0xMTE5NzY3NzM1JmxpPTEyMDc4NTc4Nw/index.html> In the News... Starting in 2028, ALSC National Institute Will Be Annual, Include Youth Media Awards<https://www.slj.com/story/Starting-2028-ALSC-national-Institute-Will-Be-Annual-Include-Youth-Media-Awards> - SLJ, 3/12/26 A New National Effort Aims to Spread Learning Beyond School Walls<https://www.edweek.org/leadership/a-new-national-effort-aims-to-spread-learning-beyond-school-walls/2026/03?utm_source=NCFL+Literacy+NOW&utm_campaign=c352981148-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_LiteracyNOW-12-19-25_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-caedf8f03d-68991735> - Education Week, 3/5/26 MiLEAP and MDE Release "Every Child Reads Next Steps Forward"<https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/press-releases/2026/03/04/mileap-and-mde-release-every-child-reads-next-steps-forward> - MiLEAP, 3/4/26 State Education Leaders Highlight ‘Every Child Reads’ Proposed Literacy Investments During Events at Waterford School District<https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/press-releases/2026/03/13/state-education-leaders-every-child-reads-waterford-events> - MiLEAP, 3/13/26 Still time to register: Gather 'Round the Table with Teens! In-person workshops, 10:00 am ET - 5:00 pm ET for the following dates/locations: * Monday, April 20, 2026 - Register for this session<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=7470> at Jackson District Library's Meijer Branch, 4699 Airport Road, Jackson, 49202. * Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - Register for this session<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=7475> at Traverse Area District Library's Woodmere Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City 49686. * Friday, April 24, 2026 - Register for this session<https://libraryofmichigan.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/libraryofmichigan/event.jsp?event=7480> at Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint, 48503. These workshops are an opportunity to gather and network with other librarians who are working with young adults, and it will be hands’ on, immersive, and fun! Leading a cooking program doesn’t have to be overwhelming, you don’t need to be a trained chef, Rebecca will present ideas for every interest and experience level. Hope you all get some sunshine this weekend! Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915 My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See www.mypronouns.org<http://www.mypronouns.org/> to learn more. LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> | 517-335-8129 | www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan<http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan> Follow us: Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/> | Twitter<https://twitter.com/libraryofmich> | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/> Join the MiYouth<https://liblists.org/postorius/lists/miyouth.liblists.org/> Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services. [Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan] [Michigan.gov/Vote logo Description automatically generated]<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/> Get personalized voter information on early voting and other topics at Michigan.gov/Vote<https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/>.