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.

PLA Award Programs

Deadline: December 1, 2012 at 12:00 AM Central.

PLA’s awards programs honor those providing public library service whose vision and accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve recognition. To submit an application or nomination, please login to the PLA Awards Online Application. The awards include:

• Allie Beth Martin Award: Honors a public librarian who has demonstrated extraordinary range and depth of knowledge about books or other library materials and has distinguished ability to share that knowledge. A plaque and a $3,000 honorarium are awarded.
• Baker & Taylor Entertainment Audio Music / Video Product Award: Designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand a collection of either or both formats in whatever proportion the library chooses. The grant consists of $2,500 of Audio Music or Video Products.
• Charlie Robinson Award: Honors a public library director who, over a period of 7 years, has been a risk taker, an innovator and/or a change agent in a public library. The award consists of $1,000 and a gift.
• DEMCO New Leaders Travel Grant: Designed to enhance the professional development and improve the expertise of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities. Plaques and travel grants of up to $1,500 per applicant are awarded.
• EBSCO Excellence in Small and/or Rural Public Library Service Award: Honors a public library serving a population of 10,000 or less that demonstrates excellence of service to its community as exemplified by an overall service program or a special program of significant accomplishment. A plaque and a $1,000 honorarium awarded.
• Gordon M. Conable Award: Honors a public library staff member, a library trustee, or a public library, that has demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights. The award consists of $1,500 and a plaque.
• Highsmith Library Innovation Award: Recognizes a public library’s innovative and creative service program to the community. A plaque and a $2,000 honorarium are awarded.
• Polaris Innovation in Technology John Iliff Award: Recognizes the contributions of a library worker, librarian, or library that has used technology and innovative thinking as a tool to improve services to public library users. The award provides a $1,000 honorarium, a plaque and a bouquet of roses for the workplace.
• Romance Writers of America Library Grant: Designed to provide a public library the opportunity to build or expand its romance fiction collection and/or host romance fiction programming. The grant consists of $4,500 to be used toward the purchase of print or audio books and programming expenses. 

NEH National Digital Newspaper Program

Deadline: January 17, 2013

The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) is creating a national digital resource of historically significant newspapers published between 1836 and 1922, from all U.S. states and territories. This searchable database will be maintained at the Library of Congress and freely accessible online.

One organization within each U.S. state or territory will receive an award to collaborate with relevant state partners in this effort. Previously funded projects will be eligible to receive supplements for continued work, but the program will give priority to new projects. In particular, the program will give priority to projects from states and territories that have not received NDNP funding.

In the last five competitions the National Digital Newspaper Program received an average of fifteen applications per year. The program made an average of eleven awards per year, for a funding ratio of 73 percent.

The application and more details are provided on the NEH website. 

ALA Carnegie-Whitney Grants

Deadline: November 2, 2012

The Carnegie-Whitney Grant program provides grants of up to $5,000 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. The grants are intended to cover preparation costs appropriate to the development of a useful product, including the cost of research. The grants do not cover the costs of final printing or online distribution of the product.

Grants are awarded to individuals; local, regional or state libraries, associations or organizations, including units, affiliates and committees of the American Library Association, or programs of information and library studies/science. International applicants welcome.

The project(s) must:

• focus on American libraries
• demonstrate how the project would stimulate the use of library resources
• have the potential appeal and usefulness to a broad audience
• be intended for national distribution
• meet a need for publication
• be completed within two years.
• be new or in process. Completed works, works under contract for publication, or projects associated with the completion of academic work are not eligible.
  

For more information, visit the ALA website.

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Deadline: September 24, 2012

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting applications for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The program invests in the nation's information infrastructure by funding projects designed to address the education and training needs of the professionals who help build, maintain, and provide public access to information systems and sources.

In 2013, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program will support projects to develop faculty and library leaders, to recruit and educate the next generation of librarians and archivists, to build institutional capacity in graduate schools of library and information science, and to assist in the professional development of librarians and archivists. Grants will be awarded in the categories of doctoral programs, master's programs, early career development, programs to build institutional capacity, and continuing education.

Visit the IMLS website for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application procedures.