LSTA Procedures for Competitive Grants Stacey Aldrich, Gerry Maginnity, LDS Staff February 17, 2009

Agenda Overview of LSTA How much is available? When is it due? Review grant application Q&A

Overview of LSTA LSTA Priorities expand services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of library, for individuals of all ages; develop library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic networks; provide electronic and other linkages between and among all types of libraries; develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations; target library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children from families with incomes below the poverty line

California LSTA 5-Year Plan, I.Literacy and Educational Support II.Responsive Changes in Library Services III.Digital Preservation and Resource Sharing IV.Technological Access for All V.Access and Accessibility Please check out the California LSTA Five-Year Plan at

Before you write a competitive grant Digital Storytelling Program  Due Date: May 4, 2009  Amount: up to $10,000 plus equipment Local History Digital Resources Program  Due Date: May 4, 2009  Amount: up to $5,000 Out-of-School-Time Online Homework Help Program  Due Date: April 1, 2009  Amount: up to $100,000 in year 1, sliding scale in years 2 & 3 Public Library Staff Education Program –Due Date: March 18, 2009 –Amount: up to $5,000 per year for up to 5 years

A total amount of $750,000 is available for this competitive cycle. DUE MAY 4, 2009 All grants will be DUE MAY 4, 2009.

grant application

grant application: 9 elements 1.Basic Information 2.Project Background and Summary 3.Planning and Evaluation 4.Grant Timeline/Activities 5.Budget 6.Attachments 7.Internet Certifications for Applicant 8.Assurances 9.Certifications

element 1: basic information Applicant Information All of the basic contact information for you and your library.

element 1: basic information Applicant Information All of the basic contact information for you and your library. Project Information Project Title LSTA Funds Requested Local Match Total Project Cost Federal LSTA Purpose California’s FY2008 Priorities Number of persons served Primary audience Signature of the Director

element 2: project background & summary Introduction to your project Limited to 1 page 12 point font Brief background of library How you identified the need for your project How the project relates to your library jurisdiction’s strategic plan What will be accomplished if you implement the project? BE CLEAR and CONCISE

element 3: planning and evaluation 12 point font 5 items (A-E) A.Project Purpose B.Project Activities/Methods C.Project Outputs D.Project Outcomes E.This project will be successful if…

element 3: planning and evaluation – item A Project Purpose The purpose statement should answer the following questions: 1.We do what, 2.for whom, 3.for what expected benefit Example: The Springfield County Library’s “It’s Never Too Early” program will provide a series of structured activities (including story hours and developmental reading kits) for children ages birth to five and their parent/caregivers to increase the amount of reading time young children have with adults and enable pre-school children to start kindergarten on time.

element 3: planning and evaluation – item B Project Activities/Methods Activities or methods that will be used to carry out your project Describe steps needed to reach desired results Should be linked to timeline

element 3: planning and evaluation – item C Project Outputs Outputs are measures of service or products provided. Examples: 15 story hours will be held 50 children and caregivers will have participated 5 kits will be created and given to each branch

element 3: planning and evaluation – item D Project Outcomes Outcomes are changes in a target audience’s skills, knowledge, behavior, attitude, and status or life condition. Outcomes are: measurable stated in terms of who, what, when, and how much; stated in terms of how they will be measured; clear on how much change is expected; state in numerical terms Example: By August 31, 2004, 85% of parents/caregivers read to their children 5 or more times.

element 3: planning and evaluation – item D Project Outcomes Outcomes are changes in a target audience’s skills, knowledge, behavior, attitude, and status or life condition. Outcomes are: measurable stated in terms of who, what, when, and how much; stated in terms of how they will be measured; clear on how much change is expected; state in numerical terms Example: Bu August 31, 2004, 85% of parents/caregivers read to their children 5 or more times a week. NOTE: Your project may not lend itself to Outcomes. Be sure to create solid outputs (item C).

element 3: planning and evaluation – item D Determining if you have an Outcome Measurement Project Need to include in Grant App

element 3: planning and evaluation – item D How will you measure you outcomes?

element 3: planning and evaluation – item E This project will be successful if… Think about the project completed. What does success look like?

element 4: grant timeline/activities Timeline of major project activities Indicates when activities begin and end List activity and put x’s in the boxes that indicate the months that the activity will be done. Activity2009 JulyAugSept Meet with children’s librarians to create reading kits x Order materials and put together reading kits xx Example

element 5: budget Complete budget table – designed to provide detail information about the requested funding 1.Salaries & Benefits 2.Materials 3.Equipment (Items over $5,000 per unit) 4.Operating Expenses 1.Contracted Services 2.Supplies 3.Other Charges (include travel) Local Match – what is your library contributing toward the project? Indirect – up to 10% of the total LSTA funding that you are requesting Describe how project will be supported financially in future

element 6: attachments Attachments should provide supporting data for information provided in the narrative. Examples include: letter of support from individuals or groups directly involved in the project; a list of contacts made or other projects visited citations from reports supporting the needs statement staff position descriptions sample evaluation tools other information that supports your grant narrative, e.g. information about research based models.

element 7,8,9: certifications & assurances Each library has to complete and sign the certifications and assurances represented in elements 7,8, and 9. Element 7: Internet Certification for Applicant (SIGNATURE) Element 8:Assurances Element 9:Certifications (SIGNATURE) Be sure to read and to get the appropriate signatures before sending in your grant application.

application submission WHAT:Submit Original and 3 copies HOW*:By mail, non-postal, fax, WHEN:By 4:30 p.m. on May 4, 2009 * Addresses, fax, and address for submission are in the Instruction Guide. If you fax or your application, you will need to mail the signed Element 1 page and certification pages. The signature pages will need to be received within 7 days of the faxed or ed application.

Please feel free to contact any LDS Staff Member. All contact information is available via or CONTACT: Mickie Potter PHONE: