Leah Larson| LSTA Grant Coordinator LSTA Grants Leah Larson| LSTA Grant Coordinator June 8, 2018

LSTA Grant Basics Library Services and Technology Act Federal funding distributed through State Library Services Total of $517,000+ in grant funding during the 2017-18 grant cycle (8 projects at up to $98,000) Support large and small institutions -- $1,000 to $100,000 Eligible libraries – public, school, public consortium, public colleges and universities, non-profit special Federal legislation and priorities, state priorities developed with these in mind Libraries are always included – school or public, partnerships are encouraged 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

LSTA (large) Grants Awards of $10,000-$100,000 Competitive Support 5-year plan goals Reducing Barriers to Access Promoting Equity Advancing Digital Literacy 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

LSTA Mini Grants Awards of $1,000-$10,000 Good for first time grantees, smaller institutions and projects Much higher percentage of applicants receive these World’s Best Workforce Kindergarten Readiness Reading by Grade 3 Focus on birth through 3rd grade 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

Logistics of the application process Timeline – RFPs now through July 13, awards issued in September Notices come out in State Library Services newsletter & superintendents bulletin Application documents available on The Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management webpage Webinar slides available via email Question due June 25, will be published online after June 26 Independent review w/ peer reviewers – rubric follows application instructions Awards based on highest points from review Try to award as many as possible based on asks Timing dependent on federal budget, close to full 12 months as possible State Library Service staff doesn’t make funding decisions Any past reviewers want to share anything? We’re here to help guide you through the process, can provide technical assistance but not substantive 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

What makes a good project? Funded projects are required to provide services to patrons as opposed to only providing resources. Interest in diversity, including geographical Sustainability – innovative pilot projects Keep your vision in mind Be literal; respond directly to the prompts in the application. Value of using a logic model Why are you doing this? To make a difference. You are passionate about this project and you know that it could be a game changer for your patrons, staff, and families in your community… Not all projects are sustainable, sometimes they flop, ok to be honest One method to ensure that you respond to each prompt is by starting your paragraph by answering each prompt: “Our project’s overarching goal is…” “This project addresses truant high school students and their need to engage in their community.” “We plan to implement a program planning model to ensure that all afterschool programming for youth is high quality and youth driven.” 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

Questions? “This presentation was made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act [LS-00-18-0024-18] grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.” 12/3/2018 Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

Thank you! Leah Larson leah.larson@state.mn.us 651-582-8604 12/3/2018