PLA Innovations in Literacy Awards

PLA Innovations in Literacy Scholarships

Congratulations to the eight recipients of the PLA Innovations in Literacy Scholarship. They will be awarded $1,000 for registration and travel to the PLA 2014 Conference in Indianapolis, March 11–15. This new scholarship is funded by a generous donation from the Cambria Estate Winery, which has a strong tradition of supporting literacy initiatives. The winners are:

• Nancee Dahms-Stinson, Springfield-Greene County (Mo.) Library District; early literacy
• Ana Devine, Gail Borden Public Library District, Elgin, Ill.; summer outreach to at-risk children
• Diana Garcia, Monterey Park (Calif.)- Bruggemeyer Library; youth literacy for children of parents with limited English proficiency
• Greg Hill, Noel Wien Library, Fairbanks, Alaska; targeted fourth-grade boy reading program
• Sarah Lawton, Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, Vt.; youth digital and media literacy
• Yolanda Medina, Richardson (Tex.) Public Library; adult literacy for Hispanics
• Barbara Roberts, Pelham (Ala.) Public Library; financial literacy
• Aaron Stefanich, Grand Forks (N.D.) Public Library; S.T.E.M. (Scientific, Technological, Engineering, and Mathematical) literacy

Winning applicants demonstrated literacy programs that were unique and inventive and that resulted in a measurable impact on the community the library serves. Programs in early literacy, adult literacy, digital literacy, transliteracy, information literacy, financial literacy, etc., were considered.