Category: Grant Opportunities    

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), announces the fifth deadline for The Big Read. The purpose of The Big Read is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants ranging from $5,000 - $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to inspire reading by developing and carrying out programming revolving around a single work of literature. Programming must be conducted between September 2009 and June 2010. This will be the only application deadline in 2009.

Big Read grants require the participation of a library as a lead applicant or a partner. Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read will receive:

*a grant
*financial support to attend a national orientation meeting
*educational and promotional materials for broad distribution
*an organizer’s guide for developing and managing Big Read activities
*guidance on working with local media
*inclusion of the organization and its activities on the Big Read Web site
*the prestige of participating in a highly visible national initiative

The deadline for proposals is February 3, 2009. Request for proposals can be downloaded at:
neabigread.org

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is offering a third and final round of competition to distribute 1,000 copies of the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. The IMLS Bookshelf is a core set of texts that are essential for the care of collections. It is valued at approximately $800, focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and in libraries’ special collections.

The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. The American Association for State and Local History(AASLH), the cooperating partner of the Connecting to Collections Bookshelf is a non-profit organization that preserves and interprets state and local history in order to make the past more meaningful to all Americans.

Libraries are urged to apply for Free IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf. Recipients will also receive two guides: The Bookshelf User’s Guide and the Guide to Online Resources. Priority for the IMLS Bookshelf will be given to smaller institutions, but large museums and libraries with special collections are also eligible to apply. Online applications can be submitted to the AASLH between January 5, 2009 and March 9, 2009 at: Bookshelf. For more information, email Terry Jackson at jackson@aaslh.org.

There is important information about this grant. Andrea Miller, chair of the Library Science Department of Clarion University has said that if Clarion University is selected as the school of choice for students, it is necessary to start the application process immediately. If the student is selected into the graduate program and to receive a grant, this process will be in place as classes start in January. Applying and being accepted by Clarion does not automatically qualify students for this grant.

Please go to the Clarion University website link and apply online under “graduate studies.” Request for the Laura Bush Program must be indicated on the application. A special cohort for these students is being designed that involves research in every course. www.clarion.edu

The ALSC/BWI Reading Program Grant is designed to encourage reading programs for children in a public library by providing financial assistance of $3,000, while recognizing ALSC members for outstanding program development.

The application is easy to complete and is due December 1, 2008. The program must be:

*Theme-based summer reading program in a public library
*Open to all children from birth through 14 years

The applicant must work directly with children and be a personal member of ALSC. The committee encourages proposals with innovative ways to encourage involvement of children with physical or mental disabilities.

The application can be found on ALSC website:

bookwholesalers

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries is pleased to announce the award of $537,600, A Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant, provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The grant will provide scholarships for the MLS coursework for 25 Pennsylvania public librarians working primarily in rural, but also in lower income urban communities. The 25 new MLS educated librarians will be better equipped to improve the level of service provided by PA public libraries in their communities.

As part of the grant requirement, in addition to taking classes, students will also complete a research project. Clarion University is partnering with the Office of Commonwealth Libraries to oversee the research. Required research projects will contribute to the library profession and will give Pennsylvania the opportunity to use the research in the best way possible to improve libraries. Research will be published and put on the Clarion University website.

Acceptance in a university’s program is a requirement. Students will have their choice of which ALA-accredited college they want to attend. However. the maximum amount each student can be awarded is $19,992 for the entire program. If the student chooses to attend a university other than Clarion, the student must make arrangements with the school to ensure the research component of the project is included. Classes will begin with the winter semester.

More information, an application, guidelines and criteria for selection will be posted here at a later date.

The American Library Association Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes, or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library.

Funded projects have ranged from popular, general-reader proposals such as “ReadMOre”, a reading list for Missouri’s state-wide reading program, to more specialized, scholarly proposals such as “Librarianship and Information Science in the Islamic World, 1966-1999:An Annotated Bibliography.”

Applications must be received by November 3, 2008. Recipients will be notified by the end of February 2009.

For more information and guidelines, visit:
carnegiewhitney.cfm

Or contact:

Mary Jo Bolduc, Grant Administrator
American Library Association
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: 312-280-5275
mbolduc@ala.org

The Women’s National Book Association sponsors the WNBA Eastman Grant, which is available for librarians who are interested in learning about the relationship between the library and publishing professions.

The WNBA offers a grant of up to $750 for a librarian to take a course or participate in an institute devoted to aspects of publishing as a profession.

The grant honors Ann Heidbreder Eastman, who was an active and prominent member of both the WNBA and the American Library Association. The grant represents Ann’s commitment to education about publishing as well as her support for communication between librarians and publishers.

Librarians holding a master’s degree in library science or its equivalent and having at least two years of post-master’s work experience in a library may apply. The primary criterion will be the likelihood of career benefit to the person taking the course.

Applications must be received by November 1, 2008

For more information and guidelines visit:
wnbaannheidbreder.cfm

Or contact:

Mary Jo Bolduc, Grant Administrator
American Library Association
50 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
Fax: 312-280-5275
mbolduc@ala.org

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries is pleased to announce the opportunity for municipalities to apply for grants for public library facilities. Applications for these 2009 grants will be accepted in the anticipation of revenues from a portion of the Realty Transfer Tax that becomes available to the Keystone Fund.

Only municipalities may apply for Keystone Fund grants. The Office of Commonwealth Libraries requires that these applications be prepared jointly with the public library or library system and signed by the governing bodies of both the municipality and the public library or library system. Libraries must be participants in the state aid to public libraries funding program. Grant funds are available to pay up to 50 percent of projects costs for public library rehabilitation, renovation and construction. Every grant application must show at least a dollar for dollar match.

NEW: For the 2009 round, Commonwealth Libraries will also require that a representative of the municipality or the library attend a free Keystone workshop or an online webinar. Three Keystone workshops will be held:

Pittsburgh-October 3, 2008
Valley Forge - October 8, 2008
Harrisburg - October 10, 2008

Registration information will be available at keystone. Information on a January webinar will also be posted on that site in December.

NEW: A Letter of Intent, due by 5:00 pm on January 30, 2009, will be required for the 2009 round. The final application package must be received at the Office of Commonwealth Libraries by 5:00 pm on June 30, 2009. Letter of Intent instructions will be available at the October workshops. The full Keystone application will be available in December also on the website.

Those without Internet access may request an application by contacting:

Diana L. Megdad
Keystone Library of Education
Office of Commonwealth Libraries
333 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17126-1745
Fax: 717-787-2117
Email: dmegdad@state.pa.us

Commonwealth Libraries will be awarding up to six grants next spring. Successful applicants would attend training in fall of 2009 and complete the requirements of the grant by June of 2010. If you want your library to be the community hub for young childern and their families please consider applying. The only qualification is that a library must have a dedicated youth services staff member who works at least 30 per week. If you have applied before and did not receive the grant please consider applying again. We had 15 applications last year and were only able to fund six. Information on the program is included in the application, as well as a link to Family Place Libraries. Applications and the Internet Safety Document are due on or before Friday, October 10, 2008.

Attached is a copy of the 2009 Application to become a Family Place Library.
Family Place Application
Internet Safety Document

The Intercultural Harmony Program, an initiative of the Laura Jane Musser Fund, promotes mutual understanding and cooperation between groups and citizens of different cultural backgrounds within defined geographical areas through collaborative, crosscultural projects. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that initiate programs that increase the level of interaction between the targeted groups. Funded projects can be carried out in a number of areas, including the arts, community service, and youth activities. Planning or implementation grants averaging from $7,500 to $20,000 are provided for new projects within their first three years of operation. Detailed application guidelines are available on the Foundation’s website.

http://www.musserfund.org/harmony.php

Application deadline is October 1, 2008

The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. is accepting applications for its Disenfranchised Children’s Grants program. The purpose of this program is to support organizations that benefit children, particularly disenfranchised children, including those with low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses; and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations.

Grants range in size from $50 to $5,000 and are made on a one-time basis. Grants are typically made only to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, or who have a sponsoring agency with this status.

Public schools are eligible.

Deadline: Rolling (Letter of Inquiry).

More information on this worthy program can be found at:
http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html

The Institute of Museum and Libray Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

Picturing America, presented by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), provides high-quality reproductions of great American art to public libraries and K-12 schools to enhance the study of history, social studies, language arts, literature and civics. Picturing America allows everyone, regardless of their location or income to explore American history through the lens of our nations’s great works of art. The Endowment wants every school and public library in the United States to receive Picturing America.

Libraries with collections that circulate to the general public and those that offer reading programs to the public are encouraged to apply. Public libraries are eligible to receive Picturing America materials free of charge. Included in the package are:

*Forty large, high-quality color reproductions of the selected masterpieces (24″x36″)

*A comprehensive teacher’s resource book providing a wide range of ideas and background information to support educators using the works of art in core subject areas.

*Lesson plans and additional resources available through the Picturing America Web site Picturing America.neh.gov

Application information can be found in the ‘Apply Now’ section of the Picturing America Web site, PicturingAmerica.neh.gov. Applications are currently being accepted now through October 31, 2008, with delivery scheduled for spring 2009. Libraries and schools have a second opportunity to apply for a wonderful, free teaching tool and bring great American art to their patrons and students. Previous recipients of the Picturing America collection are not eligible for a second award.

Art has so much to teach about America’s past, present and future. To learn more about the Institute of Museum and Library Services, visit www.imls.gov. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov.

Lois Lenski, the 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, had a life-long concern that all children have access to good books. In pursuit of this goal, she established a foundation to provide grants to public and school libraries serving disadvantaged populations.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation annually awards grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children. The Foundation gives priority to applications from libraries with real need and limited book budgets. Funds are earmarked for purchasing books for young people rather than administrative or operational use. Previously awarded grants have ranged from 3500 to 32000. Successful applicants have proposed purchases to update their collections generally or to expand their holdings in specific areas.

A user-friendly, on-line application form is available at www.loislenskicovey.org.

To qualify for year 2008 grants, completed application forms must be received no later than September 15, 2008.

Please direct questions to: Michael Covey, michael.covey@loislenskycovey.org
For more information, visit http://www.loislenskicovey.org.

Wal-Mart Community Grant Program
The Wal-Mart Community Grant Program allows local nonprofit organizations, such as libraries, to hold fundraisers at their local Wal-Mart or SAM’S CLUB. Through the Matching Grant Program, the store/club can elect to match a portion of the funds raised up to $1,000. Events held off the premises are also eligible for funding when a company associate is actively involved.

Additionally, once each Wal-Mart or SAM’S CLUB has met certain criteria in the Matching Grant Program each year, a second source of funding is awarded to the store/club to use in the community. These funds do not require a fundraiser to be held, instead the funds can be awarded directly to deserving organizations. To learn more about the program visit the website at http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/
or contact the Community Involvement Coordinator at the local Wal-Mart or SAM’S CLUB.

Target Corporation — Family Violence Prevention Grants
Deadline: May 31, 2008.

Target Corporation is accepting applications for its Family Violence Prevention Grants to support healthy family relationships and environments. Award amounts are $1,000-$3,000. Eligible applicants include 501(C)(3) organizations, schools, libraries, and public agencies. Link to Target Grant for Family Violence Prevention

Target Corporation — Early Childhood Reading Grants
Deadline: May 31, 2008.

Target Corporation is accepting applications for its Early Childhood Reading Grants to support development of interest and ability in reading in children from birth to age 9. Award amounts are $1,000-$3,000. Eligible applicants include 501(C)(3) organizations, schools, libraries, and public agencies. Link to Early Childhood Reading Grants

Target Stores Accepting Applications for Local Store Grants Program
Deadline: May 31, 2008.

Target Corporation’s ( http://www.target.com/ ) Local Store Grants provide funding support to “Target” communities in the areas of arts, reading programs, and family violence prevention. To be eligible, organizations must be located in communities where Target does business. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, libraries, or public agencies for nonprofit programs that impact arts, early childhood reading, or family violence prevention. Arts grants are awarded to programs that bring the arts to schools or make the arts accessible to children and families. Early childhood reading grants support programs that foster a love of reading and encourage children, from birth through age nine, to read together with their families. Family violence prevention grants support programs that strengthen families and communities by keeping them safe. Support will be awarded for projects or programs. The average grant amount is between $1,000 and $3,000. For communities offering unique opportunities outside the scope of the program’s focus areas, Target provides each store limited funds for Target GiftCard donations. GiftCard donations are available March through December, as funding permits. Visit the Target Web site for complete program information. RFP Link: Target Grant Information

Looking for a great program to host at your library?  Look no further than the PA Humanities Council. 

Check out www.pahumanities.org to find a speaker on a wide range of topics from African American Experience, the Civil War Era, Dance and Theatre, Film and the Visual Arts, Music, Labor and Industry, Philosophy, and Women Through History.  These speakers can be available to present a program at your library at no cost by meeting a few program requirements. 

 Pick a speaker, submit your application and begin planning your program today:  www.pahumanities.org/resources/speakers.php

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The Office of Commonwealth Libraries is pleased to announce the opportunity for municipalities to apply for grants for public library facilities from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

Application packages must be received at the Office of Commonwealth Libraries by 5:00 pm on June 30, 2008.

Applications will be available on the Commonwealth Libraries’ website the end of January:
www.statelibrary.state.pa.us.

View the following document for additional information: 2008 Keystone Annoucement

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), announces the fourth deadline for the Big Read program.

The purpose of the Big Read is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants ranging from $5,000 - $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to inspire reading through the Big Read program.

Organizations selected to participate in the Big Read will receive a grant, financial support to attend a national orientation meeting, educational and promotional materials for broad distribution, an organizer’s guide for developing and managing Big Read activities, guidance on working with local media, inclusion of the organization and its activities on the Big Read Web site, and the prestige of participating in a highly visible national initiative.

The application deadline is February 12, 2008.

Visit the following website for additional information: www.imls.gov

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting grant applications for the agency’s 2008 National Leadership Grant (NLG) program.

The deadline for submitting applications is February 1, 2008.

Visit the following website for additional information: www.imls.gov

Kathel Dunn, Associate Director of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, wants you to know that they offer free classes and grants for health related projects.

Classes, available both in-person and online, are free of charge. Visit the following link for more information: Classes Offered by NN/LM MAR Staff

The grant information can be found at nnlm.gov.  Currently the MicroAwards and Exhibit Awards are open and available. The deadline is April 30, 2008.

Applicants must be members of the network but membership is free and signing up is simple and straightforward.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Kathel Dunn
Associate Director
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Middle Atlantic Region
New York University Medical Center
423 East 23rd Street, Floor 15 South
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212.263.4197
Fax: 212.263.4258
Email: dunn@library.med.nyu.edu