VCU Libraries invites students to apply for funding to attend the American Library Association Convention in 2024.

Deadline for applications is March 18, 2024. The program seeks applicants interested in literacy or library work or writing or illustrating children’s or young adult literature. First, second and third-year undergraduates and first-year graduate students are eligible to apply. The application form is online.  

The recipient will receive funding to attend the American Library Association Annual Conference in San Diego, June 27- July 2, 2024. At the ALA conference, the student will be paired with a librarian mentor from VCU Libraries, attend literary award ceremonies, tour exhibits, and attend author and publisher sessions. As part of this honor, the student also will receive an associate membership in ALA, the nation’s most significant professional organization for librarians. 

The ALA awards the United States’ most respected prizes in children’s literature including Newbery, Caldecott and the Coretta Scott King Awards. Medalists and honorees, authors and illustrators of the year’s honored books for children and young adults appear at talks, signings and at other gala events during the conference–which will provide the VCU student a rich experience in exploring a panorama of literature for young people. 

This opportunity for experiential learning and networking is funded by The Leila Christenbury Literacy Fund and the Friends of VCU Libraries.

About the Leila Christenbury Literacy Fund

The Leila Christenbury Literacy Fund was established in 2007 with gifts from Leila Christenbury, Commonwealth Professor Emerita in the VCU School of Education. Well-known in national education circles, Christenbury taught English Education at VCU for 32 years, serving as professor, department chair and interim dean. She is a 45-year veteran teacher in secondary English and higher education, former editor of English Journal and past president of the National Council of Teachers of English. She is the recipient of both the David H. Russell Award for Distinguished Research in Teaching and the James N. Britton Award for Educational Research. The focus of her teaching and research was how to teach secondary English and she has a special interest in young adult literature. 

To make a gift to the fund, search for Leila Christenbury Fund on this secure page.