Chicago Heights Library Gets Grant For 'Innovative' Summer Plans

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — The Chicago Heights Public Library was awarded a $3,000 grant by the Association for Library Service to Children Wednesday, the ALSC told Patch.

The money will be spent on summer reading programs at the public library branch located at 25 West 15th Street. While the guidelines require programs serve children from birth to 14 years old, the library also offers teen classes and adult book clubs over the summer.

The money comes from Baker & Taylor, a book distributor for libraries and schools. According to a spokeswoman for the library, the facility serves a population where the majority of residents identify as Black or Latino. Those metrics, along with the library's existing programming, are part of why Chicago Heights was awarded the grant, the spokeswoman said.

In a proposal submitted to the ALSC, Chicago Heights Public Library officials pitched the idea of a summer camp style reading program. Through the daily program, parents could access free activities to "encourage the learning process to continue throughout the summer months."

Now, the grant will make the program a reality and also expand the program to accommodate children with physical and mental disabilities.

"We were excited to see how [Chicago Heights Public Library librarians] put emphasis on mindfulness and outdoor play in their summer plans, and how they’ll bridge those pillars of social emotional learning with recreational reading," said Bobbie Bensur, director of children and teen services at Baker & Taylor. “This type of innovation has been more and more pronounced during the pandemic, and we applaud all youth services librarians for their grit, agility, and creativity in servicing their communities during this challenging time."