National Book Scholarship Fund Now Accepting Applications

ProLiteracy Worldwide
Monday, 21 July 2003

Literacy programs have an opportunity to obtain books and materials to improve the services they provide. Grant applications are now being accepted for the National Book Scholarship Fund (NBSF), sponsored by ProLiteracy Worldwide. NBSF grants distribute New Readers Press books and educational materials to qualified adult literacy providers in the U.S.

"The NBSF provides an opportunity for programs to obtain materials they might not otherwise be able to afford," says Mara Roberts, administrator of ProLiteracy NBSF program. "New Readers Press materials are specifically designed for use by adult new readers, tutors, and trainers. These materials can make a positive, significant impact on the learning experience of adult students and the success they achieve in gaining literacy skills."

During the 2002-2003 program cycle the NBSF gave $189,259 in grants to 91 programs. Since 1995, the fund has given nearly $1.7 million in NBSF grants to over 800 programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The National Book Scholarship Fund gives special emphasis to grant applications from family literacy programs, followed by English-as-a Second-Language projects, adult basic educational programs, and projects that involve women-focused basic literacy or ESL programming.

For more information about the NBSF or to apply, visit the NBSF Web site at www.nbsf.org. The grant application will be available online in September 2003. The deadline for grant applications is December 4, 2003.

For additional information, contact Mara Roberts, project administrator, by phone at 315-422-9121, ext. 345; by e-mail at mroberts@proliteracy.org; or by writing the National Book Scholarship Fund, ProLiteracy Worldwide, 1320 Jamesville, Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210.

ProLiteracy Worldwide was formed by the merger of Laubach Literacy International and Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., both based in Syracuse, NY. ProLiteracy Worldwide is represented in 45 developing countries as well as in the U.S. and serves more than 350,000 adult new learners around the world each year. Its purpose is to sponsor educational programs and services that empower individuals to acquire the literacy skills and practices they need to function more effectively in their daily lives. Its publishing division, New Readers Press, produces and distributes approximately 500 titles of adult educational books and materials to literacy organizations, schools, libraries, and other institutions nationwide. New Readers Press also publishes News for You, a weekly newspaper for adult new readers, which is read by 90,000 adult learners.

For more information, or to contact ProLiteracy Worldwide, see their website at: www.proliteracy.org