Innovations in Reading Prize from the National Book Foundation

Dia and I were so happy to receive the National Book Foundation's Innovations in Reading Prize on Tuesday. Our wonderful hosts were:

Calvin Sims, Program Officer of the Ford Foundation
Harold Augenbraum, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation
Leslie Shipman, Director of Programs of the National Book Foundation

The National Book Foundation wrap up says:

The Foundation's first year of offering the Innovations in Reading Prize saw 150 applications from 30 states."

A selection process was created based on the following criteria: level of innovation, impact and need, with innovation always carrying the most weight. Impact and need came into play only in cases where two programs were judged to be equally innovative. "Innovation" was not limited to meaning only technologically innovative. In some cases, innovation meant identifying a need in the community and developing a program to address that need in a simple and effective way. In all cases, selections were made to reward programs that create and sustain a life long love of reading."

I was so happy and thankful to represent the rgz community! Woot!