NEH Preservation Grants for Smaller Institutions

Deadline: May 1, 2013

Preservation Assistance Grants, awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), help small and mid-sized institutions, such as libraries, historical societies, and archival repositories, improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. These may include special collections of books and journals, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, moving images, sound recordings, architectural and cartographic records, decorative and fine art objects, textiles, archaeological and ethnographic artifacts, furniture, historical objects, and digital materials.

Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the activities that are the focus of their projects. Small and mid-sized institutions that have never received an NEH grant are especially encouraged to apply. A free webinar will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2013, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT to provide guidance on preparing Preservation Assistance Grant applications. Seating is limited. Register online for free. For additional information and grant application materials, go this website. The deadline to submit applications isfor projects beginning January 2014.

Pushing the Limits Grants

Deadline: April 1, 2013 EXTENDED: May 15, 2013

The CALIFA Group (a California-based library consortium) presents Pushing the Limits: a Reading, Viewing, and Discussion Series for Rural Libraries. This program extends the building blocks of science literacy to two new audiences: rural librarians and adults in the communities they serve. 

The CALIFA Group is opening a national search for 75 rural libraries to join a grant project funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal is to strengthen adult science programming and resources in small and rural public libraries and to enhance public interest and involvement in STEM topics-- science, technology, engineering and math. Up to 75 public libraries in the United States will receive a grant of $2,500, program materials including videos, and will participate in an on-line training program. As part of the project, you will identify and work with a science partner to present the programs. The science partner should be a local scholar or someone who has knowledge of science. The project's professional development will include strategies for selecting and collaborating with a science partner. 

More details and the online application are available on the website.

United for Libraries Citizens-Save-Libraries Grants

Deadline: Cycle 1 grants April 15, 2013; Cycle 2 grants April 15, 2014.

United for Libraries has secured $75,000 from the Neal-Schuman Foundation to support library advocacy at the local level for libraries with troubled budgets. The Citizens-Save-Libraries grants will send expert advocates to 20 locations over the course of 2 years to help Friends of the Library groups, library directors and Trustees  develop individual blueprints for advocacy campaigns to restore, increase or save threatened library budgets. Selected libraries will receive two days of on-site, in-person training.

For more information and to apply, visit the website. 

Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Minigrant Program

Deadline: March 15, 2013

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation offers minigrants of $500 to public schools and public libraries for programs that encourage literacy and creativity in children. Programs relating to the work of Ezra Jack Keats (writer and illustrator) are welcome, but not required. Creative programs funded in the past have included:

• Ongoing pen-pal projects bringing disparate communities together,
• Multi-cultural portrait projects,
• Art projects culminating in art shows, murals, or quilts,
• Bookmaking,
• Creation and performance of puppet shows,
• Inter-generational journals.

To read more information and to apply, visit the website. 

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Grants

Deadline: February 28, 2013

Dollar General Literacy Foundation Summer Reading Grants provide funding up to $3,000 to public libraries and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to help with the implementation or expansion of summer reading programs. Your organization must provide service within 20 miles of a Dollar General store. Programs must target Pre-K through 12th grade students who are new readers, below grade level readers or readers with learning disabilities.

For more information and the online application, visit the grant website.

StoryCorps @ your library Grants

Deadline: January 18, 2013

StoryCorps @ your library (SCL), is a two-year program created by the American Library Association (ALA) in partnership with StoryCorps, funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, designed to encourage multi-format public programming on broad themes of oral narrative, and local and family history that may be tailored to specific locales, holidays, or heritage months. This project will serve public libraries as they seek to expand their influence and capital in their communities by connecting them with the powerful resources and branding available through a StoryCorps partnership.

ALA and StoryCorps will select ten pilot sites, determined by their level of interest and ability to successfully carry out the project, with an eye toward geographical and demographic diversity.

Libraries chosen to participate will receive a $2,500 stipend, promotional support materials, professional recording equipment, in-person training for library staff and volunteers, and tools to offer their patrons a fully facilitated StoryCorps interview experience as well as access to significant StoryCorps edited content.

As part of the StoryCorps approach, each interview participant receives a copy of their recording. With participant permission and based upon a written agreement with StoryCorps, local libraries will retain copies of fully released interviews. Copies of fully released interviews will also be deposited with the Library of Congress.

For more information and to apply, visit the SCL website. 

Big Read Grants

Deadline: February 5, 2013

The Big Read is accepting applications to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2013 and June 2014. The Big Read is a national program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment.

Applicant organizations for The Big Read must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; a division of state, local, or tribal government; or a tax-exempt public library. Eligible applicants include such organizations as literary centers, libraries, museums, colleges and universities, art centers, historical societies, arts councils, tribal governments, humanities councils, literary festivals, and arts organizations.

Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant (ranging from $2,500 to $20,000), educational and promotional materials, and access to online training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected to develop and produce community-wide reading programs which encourage reading and participation by diverse audiences. Activities focus on one book or poet from The Big Read Library. To review the guidelines and application instructions and start an application, visit The Big Read website.