Greenfield Public Library Receives 2024 ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced that the Greenfield Public Library is the recipient of the 2024 ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant.

The Light the Way Grant, which honors two-time Newbery Medalist, Geisel Award winner, and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature emerita Kate DiCamillo, was first awarded in 2008. Although originally conceived as a one-time award, it has continued to be awarded through the generosity of Candlewick Press.

With this grant, the Greenfield Public Library’s program Greenfield Hearts & Minds will provide little outdoor libraries featuring books in multiple languages, in addition to outreach and programming for families with children residing in a local family shelter and for refugee families from Haiti living in non-permanent housing.

Co-chairs Maren Ostergard and Sarah French noted, “We are thrilled to name the Greenfield Public Library as this year’s recipient. This grant will enable the library to create outreach collections and to provide engaging outreach activities for families in non-permanent housing. In addition, the thoughtful and compassionate nature of this grant exemplifies the spirit of this award by reaching out to welcome families and show them that they are a valued part of the community.”

Greenfield Public Library’s director Anna Bognolo said, “The Greenfield Public Library is overjoyed and grateful to have been chosen as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant. The library's receipt of this grant marks a significant milestone in its commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Through this grant, the Greenfield Public Library will be able to launch an outreach program for new migrant families and families in temporary housing situations in our community. This program will not only promote literacy and education, but also serve as a powerful tool for integration and cultural exchange within our vibrant community.”

“Candlewick is honored to contribute to the Greenfield Public Library’s launching of the Greenfield Hearts & Minds initiative through this year's Light the Way Grant,” said Sawako Shirota, manager of library marketing at Candlewick Press. “We understand the profound impact this initiative will have on early literacy development and on those in need of access to enriching literature and art. We deeply appreciate the dedication of the Greenfield Public Library staff in identifying these crucial community needs and working to empower young readers.”

Candlewick Press is a children’s book publisher based in Somerville, Massachusetts. For more than thirty years, Candlewick has published outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages, including books by award-winning authors and illustrators such as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature emerita Kate DiCamillo, current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina, M. T. Anderson, Jon Klassen, Christina Soontornvat, and Carole Boston Weatherford; the widely acclaimed Judy Moody, Mercy Watson, and Ology series; and favorites such as Guess How Much I Love You, Maisy, and Where’s Waldo? by Martin Handford. Candlewick is part of the Walker Books Group, together with Walker Books UK in London and Walker Books Australia. Visit Candlewick online at www.candlewick.com.

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,300 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 www.ala.org/alsc.