NEWS AND INFORMATION

Readers’ Choice Award Grant

The grant application is currently closed. It will open on March 16, 2026 for the 2027 award list. You can use this practice form to work on your grant.

Application (closed)

Feed Your Need Grant

LBSS is proud to announce the 2024-2025 Feed Your Need Grant Recipients. Click here to see the list of recipients. Congratulations to all that won! Final reports are due by May 1st. 

Application (Open on August 1, 2025)

Use this Feed Your Need practice form to work on your grant before submitting.

Upcoming Events

August 1st: Application for Feed Your Need Grant Opens

August 5th: LBSS Board Meeting

October 5th-7th: AISLE Conference, Champaign, IL

October 14th-16th: ILA Conference, Rosemont, IL

Welcome


LET’S TALK GRANTS! If you are interested in securing quality literature for your students –you are in the right spot! Whether you have never written a grant before or are an experienced grant-writer, we offer two grants throughout the year that could be awarded to your library. They are the Readers’ Choice Book Award Grant and the Feed Your Need Grant. The LBSS Endowment Fund trustees are dedicated to “providing the very best books to youth in Illinois.” The grants are listed above along with all of the links to assist you in writing a successful grant. Check the calendar so you will never miss another important registration deadline!

Still unsure about writing a grant? Attend one of our workshops throughout the year and at the AISLE Conference.  Hear from librarians who have administered a successful grant and gather tips for writing your grant. PD information will be posted here as details become available. Good luck! Can’t wait to read your grant!!!

The Oak Lawn Community High School Media Center is proud to announce it’s one of only 26 school libraries in Illinois to be awarded the  Feed Your Need Grant. This  competitive, state-wide grant awarded from the Association of Illinois School Librarians (AISLE)/Library Book Selection Service (LBSS) Endowment Fund provides funds to be used for the purchase of books and/or ebooks. 

Media Specialists Jennifer Sidlow and Eileen Wholley with the guidance of Spanish teacher Nate Joiner will use the grant to increase the young adult, high-interest Spanish language collection. Joiner is excited to use the new materials in his Spanish for Heritage Speakers class. “Silent reading for heritage Spanish speakers is a low-stakes and enjoyable way for [students] to push the boundaries of their vocabulary beyond the everyday language use they are exposed to at home,” says Joiner. “It is also a great way for them to get connected to their cultural heritage and see it valued and represented in their school community.”