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Writing a Winning LSTA Application

Writing a Winning LSTA Application. Jessica Jacko Barnes Indiana State Library. LSTA Grants… aka FREE MONEY for your LIBRARY!. Introduction. Who has applied for a grant? Who has obtained a grant? Who was the funder?. All about LSTA Grants. What are LSTA funds?.

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Writing a Winning LSTA Application

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  1. Writing a Winning LSTA Application Jessica Jacko Barnes Indiana State Library

  2. LSTA Grants… aka FREE MONEY for your LIBRARY!

  3. Introduction • Who has applied for a grant? • Who has obtained a grant? • Who was the funder?

  4. All about LSTA Grants

  5. What are LSTA funds? • Through the Grants to States program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides funds to State Library Administrative Agencies.

  6. How does the IMLS allocate funds? • Funds are distributed to states annually based on population. • In 2010, Indiana received over 3.5 million dollars from the IMLS for library services.

  7. UPDATE- A word on the budget • The IMLS, who awards LSTA funds, is a federal agency. • Delays in passing a federal budget have delayed our 2011 grants (application, timeline and funding). • Grants will be awarded in two rounds this year. Initial awards were made in March, the rest will follow after we receive allotment from the IMLS. • We expect to see even more cuts to our 2012 LSTA budget.

  8. What are LSTA funds used for? • The Indiana State Library uses this money to support statewide initiatives and services. • i.e. INSPIRE, Evergreen, Talking Books • We also distribute the funds through competitive sub-grants to public, academic, school, or special libraries.

  9. What kinds of grants are available? • Technology • For libraries who wish to provide their users with new and improved technology. • Examples: Purchasing new computers or eReaders. • Indiana Memory/Digitization • For libraries who want to help preserve Indiana’s historical records and artifacts. • Innovative • Reserved for projects utilizing emerging technologies to better serve patrons. Project must truly be innovative – these are not commonly awarded. • Information Access for the Unserved • Grants assist public libraries in providing library services to unserved and underserved populations.

  10. How much money is available? • Technology • $10,000 per grant with up to $325,000 available • Digitization • $20,000 per grant with up to $150,000 available • Innovative • Up to $500,000 per sub-grant • Information Access for the Unserved • $3 per new patron served (rarely awarded)

  11. When can I apply? • Grant guidelines and applications are typically posted in October/November. • Applications for Technology and Digitization grants are due in January/February. • Decisions are typically made by April, and spending can begin after contracts are finalized (usually by June). • Innovative and Unserved grant applications are accepted at any time and are on a rolling deadline.

  12. A sample grant timeline November 2011 February 2012 April-June 2012 October 2013 Spend…Report…Spend…Report…Spend…

  13. What can grant money be used for? • Computers • Laptops • Netbooks • iPads • E-readers • Monitors • Printers • Networking equipment • Overhead projectors • MP3 Players • Software • Servers • Installation costs • Consultant costs • Salaries for new project staff • And more!

  14. A few things to keep in mind… • LSTA grants are reimbursement grants. • A local match of 10% is required for all projects. • For example- your library will need to spend $1000 for every $10,000 in grants you receive. • i.e. Total cost of $10,000 project would be at least $11,000. • Can be cash or services.

  15. A few more things to keep in mind… • Grant money can not be used to pay ongoing operating costs or salaries for existing employees. • Your 10% match can pay wages for time spent on project. • At this time, grants for furniture (including computer desks/chairs) are not likely to be approved. • Your 10% match could pay for these items.

  16. CIPA Requirements • Any library purchasing computers that will be available to children must certify that they are CIPA-compliant.

  17. What makes a winning application?

  18. Evidence of a compelling need • Why should YOU receive a grant? • Evidence is provided to support need: • “Our library is still using Windows 98 and we are unable to upgrade or install any new software.” • “Wait times for public computers currently exceed 45 minutes during peak times.” • “There are not enough computers in media center to accommodate our teachers who bring students in for their research curriculum.”

  19. Where to get facts and figures • Census data • State library website • State library public library consultants • Schools – superintendent or principal • You can also conduct your own research • Surveys • Focus groups

  20. A clear objective and plan • All objectives clearly stated and match need. • The timetable for the project is thorough and realistic. • The project is likely to continue after the grant period.

  21. A plan for evaluation • What will your project accomplish and how will you measure it? • You must be committed to evaluating outcomes. • Changes in people’s behavior • Enhanced access to information • Increased knowledge

  22. A sound budget • Budget and price quotes are reasonable. • All items or services budgeted for are clearly tied to project activities and objectives. • Helpful to attach quotes for technology/services.

  23. Bonus points available! • Partnerships are preferred. • Teaming up with another local library or institution. • Any project that will increase participation in statewide resource sharing • …If project supports instruction for people with limited computer experience. • “Digital immigrants” • …If funds will help applicant meet the new Public Library Standards for technology.

  24. Brag about your grant • Let us know how you plan to publicize your project and LSTA grant. • Press releases • Newspaper ads • Library website • Library newsletter • Flyers/bookmarks at library • Direct mailing • Scholarly article/presentation • Launch reception/party $$$$$$$$

  25. Even more tips for getting your grant • Match your grant to the goals of the funder. • All LSTA grants must support ISL’s Five-Year Plan • Thoroughly read the grant guidelines. • Check deadlines! • Ask someone else to review your proposal.

  26. Learn OBPE • Outcomes Based Planning & Evaluation (OBPE) • A free self-paced tutorial at the Shaping Outcomes website will walk you through the process of planning an evaluative user-centered project. • The LSTA Toolkit is another excellent resource for OBPE instruction and templates.

  27. Kisses of death for grant applications

  28. When are grants NOT funded? • No apparent project- application is simply a technology wish list. • Not enough planning and preparation went into completing the application. • The goals of the project do not align with State and Federal goals. • The project did not meet the criteria specified in the guidelines. • Insufficient and incomplete answers were given to the questions.

  29. More reasons for not funding • Need/importance is not evident or proven. • Plan of action is incomplete. • Project is too ambitious- will take much more time, cost more, and requires more staff than proposal indicates. • The project is not likely to be continued beyond the grant period. • Budget items not clearly tied to project activities/objectives.

  30. If your grant isn’t funded… • Ask for feedback! • Try again- priorities change from year to year.

  31. Quiz time! Who gets the grant?

  32. Who is more likely to get a grant? “Our patrons tell us our library really needs more computers.” vs. “With our town’s unemployment rate at 15% and rising, we have seen increased wait times for public computers. Some patrons have waited as long as 90 minutes. We have observed that at least one-third of our patrons are using our computers to apply for jobs or prepare resumes.”

  33. Who is more likely to get a grant? We would like more computers so we can teach computer classes. vs. “We conducted a survey in June of 2010 and 75% of the 120 respondents said they would be interested in attending classes on Microsoft Word ... With the new computers in place, our adult reference librarian will offer a weekly technology workshop.

  34. Who is more likely to get a grant? “We will survey patrons about the new computers.” vs. “All patrons who log in to our public computers in the month of August 2011 will be asked to complete a brief pop-up survey about their computer usage. They will be asked if they are using the computers for job searching, research, or personal use.”

  35. Questions?

  36. Questions/Comments? Jennifer Clifton Indiana State Library LSTA Grant Consultant jclifton@library.in.gov (317) 234-6550 LSTA Website: http://www.in.gov/library/lsta.htm

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