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Grants

Grants, MN Libraries in the News, MN Library Staff, Research, School Library Media Programs, Technology
Robbinsdale Schools to Study Effectiveness of Interactive Whiteboards
October 22nd, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

School library media specialist and Robbinsdale schools program director for media and instruction technology, Jane Prestebak, was quoted in yesterday’s Star Tribune article, “Interactive boards get screened in class”. *

Jane and her district are working to find out whether interactive whiteboards make a difference in student achievement. See the article for the details. Jane clarified by email that she and her staff are involved in several aspects of the grant and implementation process.

District Media Services does much of the background work for finding, researching, preparing and submitting grants. We ensure that those we hire to coordinate and train have the resources they need to be successful. We will ensure that reporting is completed. In most of our grants, I sometimes participate in training, especially teaching about research process. I run around and take pictures and collect stories to use in promotional materials. (The photo they used was one that I took–not a great photo to be sure, but better than none.) I read a lot of stuff about technology so that when an opportunity arises, I have data to support an application.

How cool is that? interactive whiteboards are hot right now and it’s great to see a Minnesota school library media specialist involved in pragmatic research on student impact and quoted in the press. If other school library media specialists are involved in current research, add a comment or send me a note!
Grants
Free Grant Opportunity Alert Newsletter
October 6th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

GrantStation Insider is a weekly e-newsletter about new funding programs, upcoming deadlines, conferences, seminars, and more. For several years, State Library Services has partnered with the publisher to provide free subscriptions to Minnesotan librarians.

Aside from learning of grant opportunities for the library, the newsletter can be a resource for public libraries to alert city and county officials and different agencies with notices about grant opportunities; for school and academic libraries to pass tips on to faculty and staff; for special libraries to inform divisions within their organizations.

Every fall for the benefit of new library directors, I announce the opportunity to register. The offer continues for those who previously declined to register.

You will not receive any publisher emails regarding other products if you register for the newsletter. The publisher, obviously, hopes that should you find the newsletter worthwhile, you will evaluate and purchase its other services. State Library Services’ partnership with GrantStation Insider for the free subscription does not imply an endorsement of the other products which the publisher sells.

The link to the Oct. 5 issue is here.

To register, send your request to bruce.pomerantz@state.mn.us

You may unsubscribe at any time.
Grants
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy – Grant Deadline 9/14/2009
August 24th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

From the Channel Weekly, August 6, 2009:

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy’s National Grant Program’s goal is to develop and expand family literacy efforts, and to support the development of literacy programs that build families of readers. The program provides grants for projects that support the development of literacy skills for adult primary care givers and their children.

Begun in 1990, the Foundation’s competitive National Grant Program supports private, nonprofit organizations and public agencies – including libraries, correctional institutions, universities, housing projects, and public schools – in order to create, implement or expand programs that support the development of literacy skills. A total of approximately $650,000 is awarded each year; no grant exceeds $65,000.

Family Literacy programs funded through the Foundation’s National Grant Program must include all of the following components:
– Reading instruction for parents or primary care-givers
– Literacy or pre-literacy instruction for children
– Intergenerational activities in which the parents/primary caregivers and children read and learn together.

Programs also may include additional components such as parent support groups, parent involvement, home visits, community site visits, job training, and more.

The application deadline is September 14, 2009. The grant program details and the application guidelines and form are available on the Foundation’s website: http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps
August 5th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Sitting in a conference for library staff, I’m taking a moment to list here the great stuff ALA released today on broadband stimulus. The Washington Office released another practical paper for those who are making a BTOP application. Don’t miss: ALA Washington Office releases guidance on demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP applications (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

To learn about Federal Communications Commission (FCC) efforts and how libraries might influence national directions, view these links.

ALA: FCC should consider role, benefits of libraries in National Broadband Plan (District Dispatch, 8/5/2009)

FCC Hosts 18 Summer Blockbuster Broadband Hearings

Participate live or online in the planned FCC broadband workshops. View the schedule.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology
Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants
July 30th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday ALA released a 7-page paper, “targeted to members of the library community who have a serious interest in applying to the Public Computer Center (PCC) funding category of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).”

The paper, “A Note On The Public Computer Center Funding Category and Library Proposals”, is available via this District Dispatch entry, ALA Washington Office releases paper on public computer center BTOP funding, library proposals.

I see the District Dispatch just provided a reminder about deadlines and resources, Broadband stimulus funding application deadline drawing near.

ALA’s Washington Office is doing a great job of providing info on a complicated grant.
Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology, Tough Economic Times
Broadband Stimulus: Examples of Possible Library Projects
July 24th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Wondering what library projects might qualify for federal broadband stimulus dollars? On July 22, the ALA Washington Office held an excellent webinar on the broadband stimulus program, “Know Your Stimulus”. If you are short on time, read the Bradley presentation for great examples of how this funding could be used by libraries.

It appears staff training, patron training, and operating costs for public access computing could be proposed under the public computer center elements of the broadband stimulus program. More later.

1-Rohde: The first presenter, attorney Gregory Rohde, gave an excellent overview of the ARRA as it applies to Computer Centers and Broadband Adoption. To view the presentation slides in pdf, click here.
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ALA-Presentation-on-Computer-Centers-and-Sustainability-Programs-7-22-09.pdf

2 – Bradley: For those looking wondering what projects libraries might propose, I highly recommend the material provided by Lynne E. Bradley, “Know your BTOP: Libraries and the Broadband Stimulus Program”. The concrete examples will stimulate thinking. The powerpoint is available here.
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/LB-Webinar-slide-deck.ppt#257,1, KNOW YOUR “BTOP” Libraries and the Broadband Stimulus Programs

The slides along with the entire webinar archive (audio + video) are available at this url: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3361. (To activate the webinar archive, click on the play button below the slide screen.)

To receive updates on this topic from the American Library Association, consider subscribing to their “District Dispatch” via http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?page_id=277.

For more information on the stimulus program in general, visit the ALA website, Know Your Stimulus, http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/knowstimulus.
Grants
Rural Initiative Program Grants
July 22nd, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

Thanks to Jim Weikum, Arrowhead Library System, for this tip.

“The Laura Jane Musser Fund’s Rural Initiative Program encourages collaborative efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions. This program supports projects in rural regions of Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, New York, and Wyoming that target a number of civic areas including economic development, business preservation, arts and humanities, public space improvements, and education. The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or fewer and must be able to demonstrate the rural characteristics of its location. Planning grants of up to $5,000 and implementation grants of up to $25,000 are provided. The application deadline is October 15, 2009. Visit the Laura Jane Musser Fund’s website for application guidelines and forms.”
Economic Development, Funding, Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Technology
Broadband Stimulus Funds: Workshop and Summary of NOFA
July 15th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

To see info on upcoming federally-sponsored broadband workshops and a summary of the nofa, see these two postings by Ann Treacy, the blogger for Blandin on Broadband.

BIP & BTOP workshops : Minnesota location: 7/21/2009, 8-4:30, Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Paul

NTIA & RUS NOFA in short

If you are interested in partnering in Minnesota, view and share ideas via the Minnesota Broadband Coalition’s site, Broadband stimulus ideas.

For ongoing updates from the library perspective, visit the ALA site, Know Your Stimulus.
Economic Development, Grants, Public Training, Recession, Technology
Broadband stimulus application procedures released today
July 1st, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

And you thought you were going to have a few days off for the holiday!

If you’ve been intrigued by the idea of money for libraries for broadband infrastructure or related public education, then this is the document you’ve been waiting for. Expect to see more about the provisions in the days to come. But if you want to see the 121-page application procedures document for yourself today, here’s the link.

Direct Link to NTIA/RUS Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA):
http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/files/BB%20NOFA%20FINAL%20with%20disclaimer_1.pdf

For a great overview, see this posting from ALA’s Washington Office:
NTIA/RUS release highly anticipated Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for broadband stimulus programs (District Dispatch, 7-1-2009) http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3145

Per the District Dispatch posting, “Applications will be available beginning July 7 and electronic applications for broadband funding must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on August 14, 2009, so time is of the essence!”

So, application procedures today; application next week. Happy reading!

To view all blog entries on this topic, type “broadband stimulus” in the WebJunction Minnesota search box.
Continuing Education, Grants
Grant Seeking for Beginners – Willmar, St. Paul
June 2nd, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

In tough economic times, libraries often wonder if grants are available to them. While grants may not be available often for operating costs, many libraries have extended their reach via grant-funding. Wondering how to go about grant seeking? The Minnesota Council on Foundations offers a popular, one-day seminar to learn the basics of effective grant-seeking.

In 2009, this seminar will be offered in Willmar on June 19 and in St. Paul on September 10. For more information and to register, visit http://www.mcf.org/MCF/grant/beginners.htm.

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Grants

Grants, MN Libraries in the News, MN Library Staff, Research, School Library Media Programs, Technology

Robbinsdale Schools to Study Effectiveness of Interactive Whiteboards

Grants

Free Grant Opportunity Alert Newsletter

Grants

Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy – Grant Deadline 9/14/2009

Grants, Public Access Computing, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: Demonstrating libraries’ economic impact in BTOP apps

Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology

Broadband Stimulus: ALA note for serious applicants

Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Recession, Technology, Tough Economic Times

Broadband Stimulus: Examples of Possible Library Projects

Grants

Rural Initiative Program Grants

Economic Development, Funding, Grants, Public Access Computing, Public Training, Technology

Broadband Stimulus Funds: Workshop and Summary of NOFA

Economic Development, Grants, Public Training, Recession, Technology

Broadband stimulus application procedures released today

Continuing Education, Grants

Grant Seeking for Beginners – Willmar, St. Paul