Special Needs and Inclusive Library Services (SNAILS)

Renee Grassi Renee Grassi, co-founder of SNAILS, friend, and mentor to many of our members, has been selected to receive the 2017 Alexander J. Skrzypek Award ! Presented by the Illinois Library Association and the Illinois State Library in honor of Alexander J. Skrzypek (1905-1976) -- the first librarian for the blind at the Chicago Public Library -- the award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library services for the blind or physically disabled in Illinois. We know first hand how Renee's work has impacted libraries and communities across the state of Illinois, so we nominated her for the award! Read  ILA's press release  to learn about Renee's award-winning efforts to make Illinois libraries more inclusive to children with disabilities. Renee's word cloud The Alexander J. Skrzypek Award Award will be presented to Renee at the Awards Luncheon held on Tuesday, October 10, during the 2017 Illinois Library ...

I love fall for the same reasons most people do -- cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and the chance to wear cute boots! Each fall, I also look forward to National Library Card Sign-up Month, the Illinois Library Association Conference, and the opportunity to expand and celebrate, through professional grants and awards, the services libraries and librarians provide to their communities. If you have a program idea that needs funding or you want to recognize someone for outstanding service to people with disabilities be sure to apply for one of the following grants or awards. The ALSC Library Service to Special Population Children and Their Caregivers Committee  is accepting applications for the ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant  which was formed in honor of Newbery Medalist and Geisel Honoree author Kate DiCamillo and the themes represented in her books. The award consists of a $3,000 grant to assist a library in conducting exemp...