At the heart of Digital Pathways is a free programming guide set to be published in 2026. This guide will offer best practices, program models, tools and other resources to help libraries implement effective health literacy programs in various library settings. The guide will also be paired with a webinar series to provide additional training.
Beyond the guide, the initiative will select nine libraries to pilot the program through a competitive application process. Each library will receive a $6,000 stipend. Applications for these pilot libraries are expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026.
Call for four librarian advisors
To ensure the program meets the needs of diverse communities, ALA is looking for four librarian advisors to help shape the project. These advisors will work alongside ALA’s Public Programs Office (PPO) and UnitedHealthcare to develop content, identify useful resources and serve as thought leaders. Each advisor will receive $2,000 for their work.
Advisor applications are open now through April 30, 2025.
Advisors, selected by mid-May 2025 for their expertise in health literacy and adult programming, will provide guidance and input on all project deliverables. Specifically, project advisors’ duties will include:
- Co-creation of a programming guide in collaboration with ALA PPO by providing input on direction, researching material and writing content.
- Serving as thought leaders for the project and its outputs.
- Acting as subject matter experts who suggest additional resources and serve as webinar presenters.
- Participating in quarterly virtual meetings, beginning June 2025 and ending January 2027.
- Assisting with communication/promotion of project deliverables to their networks by blogging and speaking about the project.
- And serving as presenters on a national, regional and state level by seeking opportunities to share the work of the project at conferences, meetings and other convenings.
For more information on the initiative and to apply to be an advisor by April 30, 2025, please visit https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/digitalpathways.
To stay informed on the work of this project and to be notified when the pilot program opens applications, please subscribe to the Programming Librarian newsletter.