FYI, from another discussion list.  Apologies to those of you who have already seen it.  I'd especially like to see us urge them to include some books about children and disabilities.
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The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its spring and
summer 2001 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grants.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates
new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries
throughout the United States.  Since October 1990, the Foundation has
donated over $1,200,000 worth of new children's books to more than 1,200
libraries in 46 states.

In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri
Foundation will match any amount of money raised by a library's local
sponsor from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio.  Thus, a library can receive up
to $1,050 worth of new, quality, hardcover children's books.  After a
library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends
groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four
months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.

The librarian of each participating library selects the books her library
will receive from a booklist provided by The Libri Foundation.  The 600-plus
fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of
children's literature published in the last three years.  These titles,
which are for children ages 12 and under, are award-winners or have received
starred reviews in library, literary, and education journals.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis.  In general, libraries
should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000), be in a rural
area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department.
(Please note:  Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a
city with a population of 40,000 or over; town libraries with operating
budgets over $90,000 and county libraries with operating budgets over
$190,000 are rarely given grants.)

Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries
which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system.  A
library system may also apply if all the libraries in the system meet these
requirements.  A school library may apply only if it also serves as the
public library (i.e. it is open to the general public and during the
summer).

For more information or to have an application packet mailed to you, please
contact:  Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, PO Box
10246, Eugene, OR  97440.  541-747-9655 (voice); 541-747-4348 (fax);
[log in to unmask] (e-mail).

Application deadlines:  February 23, 2001; April 1, 2001; and August 1,
2001.


The Libri Foundation
PO Box 10246
Eugene, OR  97440
541-747-9655 (voice)
541-747-4348 (fax)
[log in to unmask] (email)