Tag Archives: Grant

Your Guide to Digital Projects!

Digital GuideLooking for a NEW guide to national digital projects?

While the audience is state and local libraries, this quick reference guide will be useful to anyone trying to understand the range of national digital inclusion projects, particularly those involving the library community and their partners. If you are interested in digital literacy, broadband adoption, or digital inclusion, this 22 pg. report is worth a look.

Tip: If you are thinking of writing a grant on any of these topics, it may serve you well to mention appropriate national projects you learn about in this report.

Volunteers Fill Technology Gaps!

Financial awareness was one of the theme’s in this week’s CMLE posts.  Obtaining technology and then training patrons and/or students how use these programs are common challenges facing many libraries today.

Sarah Houghton, San Rafael Public Library, shares her experience coordinating volunteers and overseeing a computer chat program to assist their patrons-filling the technology gap. Click here to read more=>

Tip: If you are interested in creating a volunteer program(s) or developing a training session(s) in your library consider whether it could be a viable grant opportunity.

Some rights reserved by izzymuchted
Some rights reserved by izzymuchted

Grant Writing Tips!

Some rights reserved by Aaron Patterson
Some rights reserved by Aaron Patterson

Like many industries, libraries look to grant writing to secure additional funds to grow their existing collections and/or enhance programming.

The CMLE website lists a series of grants available throughout the year specifically for libraries. You can find important details about the terms and conditions of each grant along with a contact name in case you have additional questions. In the upper right corner, click on the button to suggest a grant or share your grant writing experiences with our members.  Also, for those who are new to the grant writing field, Scholastic lists 10 tips for you to consider when writing your next grant. Click here to learn more.

$50,000 Grant Opportunity!

logo_bcbs_mnThe information in this post was provided by Bruce Pomerantz, State Library Services

This is the second consecutive year that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota will provide each of three Minnesota public libraries with a $50,000 grant that supports and expands a public library’s role as a leader in addressing issues that too often prevent people from living healthier lives. The news release states strong consideration will be given to a public library partnering with local community organizations. While the applicant must be a public library, local partners may assist a public library with conceiving the project and writing the application.The Foundation will strive for geographic reach around the state.

The last day for application submission is April 9, 2013.

Bruce Pomerantz, Library Development Specialist
State Library Services – D29
Minnesota Department of Education
1500 Highway 36 W.
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: 651-582-8890
Email: bruce.pomerantz@state.mn.us

 
 

Laura Bush Grants for School Libraries

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries seeks to provide books and reading materials to school libraries and students that most need them. The Foundation provides grants of up to $5,000 to help school libraries expand, update and diversify their book collections. In the last funding cycle, the foundation made grants totaling more than $1.1 million to two hundred      and  thirty-eight schools.

All Laura Bush Foundation grants are made to individual schools rather than to school districts, county systems, private organizations, foundations or other entities. This includes all public, private, parochial, charter, city, state, county and reservation schools — including special schools, social services schools, and juvenile detention center schools in any of those jurisdictions — that serve any combination of pre-kindergarten through high school students. Only schools where a minimum of 80 percent of the student body qualify for the free or reduced lunch program are eligible to apply.

Funds are only available for library books and magazine/serial copies and subscriptions. Get the details including grant application at http://www.laurabushfoundation.com/ Proposals are due December 1, 2012.