How to Write an LSTA Grant Applications for 2010 April 30, 2009 Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Presented by Debra E. Kachel, Mansfield University and Nancy L. Henry, Ephrata Middle School

Workshop Objectives K-12 grant categories – 1. Info. Literacy/Laptops 2. Collection Development 3. Dual Enrollment  Outcomes and Evaluation Practical Advice Q & A time with PDE officials

Library Services & Technology Act Federal funds administered by Commonwealth Libraries Available for all types of libraries Competitive; one-year Specific criteria outlined for each type of grant & library Due Sept. 11, 2009 Awarded in Feb. 2010

Pennsylvania LSTA Funding History K-12 Grants

Two Major LSTA Grants That Apply to School Libraries Information Literacy – $30,000 for a single library to purchase a laptop lab to integrate info literacy with classroom instruction Collection Development – $5,000 per library in a district for print materials to support a PA Academic Standard area

Eligibility for All K-12 LSTA Grants Any type of school library—public, private, parochial Must have an existing library and a certified library media specialist Must have a line item budget for the library collection Must participate in the ACCESS PA database project & POWER Library Must comply with CIPA/ Acceptable Internet Use Policy Must collaborate with teachers to integrate information literacy skills & instruction Library media specialist must be involved in the preparation of the grant Grant money may not supplant local funds

Information Literacy Grant aka “The Laptop Lab Grant” Wireless laptop lab Wireless laptop lab Approx. 25 laptops, cart, LCD projector, & supplies up to $30,000 Purpose – To teach information literacy skills; part of the library program; under the direction of a school library media specialist New: Address AASL’s Standards for the 21 st Century Learner Instructional Role of the Librarian and Collaboration with Teachers 25 pts

Wireless Laptop Lab Application Applies to one school in a district; may reapply after 5 yrs. Only one school per district may apply In collaboration with teachers Info literacy skills integrated with classroom content Address the AASL Standards for the 21 st Century Learner Documentation & student outcomes

Laptop Application must include: Background info Budget, books per student, collection age Letter signed by Superintendent, Principal & Librarian Staffing & Hours FTE at that school If 4 days out of a 6-day cycle=.67 Or, total hours worked in that school in a week divided by the hours in the workweek Ratio of LMS: students (.5 LMS to 500 equals 1:1,000 ratio or.5:500)

Laptop Application must include: Collaboration LMS & teacher must be present during activities Planning with teachers; % involved ACCESS PA & POWER Library Public Library cooperation Planned Activities Tie to info literacy & academic standards Evaluation plan Includes student outcomes Documents laptop use

Kachel’s Examples for the Laptop Grant  Abstract  Activities  Collaboration/ Integrated Units Charts  Evaluation Plan Refer to Handout-”Tips for Writing LSTA Grants”

Evaluation Criteria – Info Literacy Grant 1. Abstract = 3 pts. 2. State aid = 14 pts. 3. Financial support = 14 pts. 4. Hours = 5 pts. 5. Collection age = 5 pts. 6. Staffing = 14 pts. 7. Extended hours = 5 pts. 8. Instructional role = 20 pts. 9. Cooperation with public library = 5 pts. 10. Implementation & Activities = 10 pts. 11. Evaluation = 10 pts. (Refer to pages of the grant guidelines) Based on 100 points

Collection Development Grant Print Materials books, magazines, books-on -tape, some AV to support an identified PA Academic Standard $5,000 per school library Funds may not be spent for: Hardware or software AV equipment and projectors Classroom sets of books or textbooks

Collection Development Application May apply to multiple schools in a district Each library must submit a separate grant application Collection development plan based on improving resources for one chosen PA Academic Standard

Collection Development Plan 1. Identify an PA Academic Standard 2. Analyze collection fitting that Standard (age, size, strengths, weaknesses) 3. Predict resources and types needed  Environment & Ecology, Health & Safety, Science & Technology  Will show a sample later  Teacher and/or student survey For Example:

Collection Development Plan 4. Involve teachers in selection 5. Plan to evaluate effectiveness of new resources 6. Publicity plan  Plan book review day on a staff development time  Survey & circulation data  Write press releases for local media and school publications For Example:

Kachel’s Collection Analysis Primer A methodology that can be used to:  Collect data about your library’s print collection  Decide which PA Academic Standard to address  Include teachers in the selection process  Decide what resources will be added to improve teaching & learning within the selected Standard  Evaluate the process and use of new resources Refer to Handout

Evaluation Criteria – Collection Development Grant Abstract = 3 pts. State aid = 14 pts. Financial support = 14 pts. Collection age = 5 pts. Library staffing = 14 pts. Hours = 5 pts. Instructional role – (1) info literacy skills integrated with curriculum, (2) documentation of collaboration with teachers, & (3) Access PA & POWER databases taught = 20 pts. Cooperation with public library = 5 pts. Collection Development Plan = 10 pts. Student outcomes/Evaluation plan = 10 pts. (Refer to pages of LSTA grant guidelines) Based on 100 points

Additional Requirement for the Collection Development Grant When funded, the school district must supply a collection development policy that: Includes a weeding policy Includes procedures for handling a challenge Is officially approved by the Board or other similar agent

Dual Enrollment Application Third category in which school libraries can participate A collaborative grant in which academic and high school librarians work together to improve library services to students participating in the dual enrollment program. Lead applicant must be the college library.

Electronic Filing of Grant Applications Click on Library Development Create a login and password Refer to “How to Apply” section of each grant application packet. Save frequently as there is a time-out period Help at or

Issues with Electronic Filing No spell check No special formatting Fill-in blocks or limited text (no. of characters stated) No multiple copies needed 2 attachments allowed + Superintendent’s letter Letters must be sent US Mail Save-Save-Save while working Refer to e_Grants Handout

Submitting the Grant LSTA Website

Practical Advice on Grantwriting Begin with concise description (abstract) Explain your needs Show documentation of collaboration/ integration Discuss Info Literacy Curriculum Document use & instruction of ACCESS PA & POWER Library databases Goals must be student-centered; project must show student benefit

Questions &Answers