June 3, 2009
The American Library Association has just been contacted by the White House in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service to get libraries involved in the President’s Summer of Service program, scheduled to launch on June 22, 2009.
Summer of Service is a “national coalition of major youth-serving organizations that are committed to engaging youth in service during the summer months and recognize the potential of youth to identify issues, develop projects, and provide lasting benefits to the communities in which they live through volunteer service.” Libraries and other organizations that work with youth ages 5 to 21 are encouraged to
participate.
Beginning the week of June 8, 2009, libraries and other organizations will be invited by the White House to list their local volunteer opportunities online. On June 22, the White House will announce the initiative to the public at large. The initiative will conclude on
September 11, 2009.
Although this timetable doesn’t provide much time to plan, we know that most libraries already have active volunteer programs, and wanted to provide a little bit more advance notice for libraries interested in participating in this exciting national initiative. Summer of Service presents a great opportunity for libraries of all types to involve young people as volunteers. This will also be a great opportunity to educate the public about the importance and vitality of America’s libraries, and gain new supporters advocating for your library.
The American Library Association will be disseminating information and resources as they become available. Stay tuned for volunteer ideas, best practices, resources, and ways to contribute your own information, ideas and stories at www.ala.org/summerofservice.
You can learn more about Summer of Service at http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/summer.asp.
Sincerely,
Keith Michael Fiels
Executive Director
American Library Association
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