Public Programs Office (PPO)

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

HARATA — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:29:07 +0000

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) invites applications from small and rural libraries for the third round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant. The initiative will offer 3.5 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

In February 2024, ��ýannounced it received an additional $10 million dollars in support of the LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative. A substantial portion of the funding – $7 million – will be distributed in grants of $10,000 and $20,000 to small and rural libraries.

Library workers may now apply online for funding from September 11, 2024, to December 11, 2024, at ala.org/LTCAccess. Up to 300 libraries will be awarded in this application period. Previous awardees from round one and/or two are eligible to apply. Note that prioritization will be given to applicants not previously awarded.

Interested applicants can register for a pre-application webinar on October 10, 2024 at 12:00 pm CST.

In March 2024, ��ýannounced 310 libraries selected for round two funding, bringing the total number of funded libraries to 465, representing 46 U.S. states and the Northern Mariana Islands. View the full list of grantees awarded.

Libraries selected for round three will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ��ýPublic Programs Office throughout the grant term.

Libraries chosen to participate in LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local disability community needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., older adults with mobility disabilities, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted patron group to guide improvement of the library’s services. Grantees will then use the grant funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.

Applicants are advised to review the full project guidelines and look through application resources including successful application examples from previous rounds.

The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. To be eligible, a library must be located in an area that’s more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area and with a population of 25,000 or less, in keeping with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

Since 2014, ��ýhas distributed Libraries Transforming Communities funding to foster community engagement skills among library workers and support need-driven projects. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). It is supported by a private donor.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ýPublic Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

The ��ýOffice for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services supports library and information science workers in creating responsible and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community. Learn more at www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/diversity.

About the Association for Rural & Small Libraries

ARSL builds strong communities through advocacy, professional development, and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries. As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes the uniqueness of this constituency and is committed to providing an environment that encourages service excellence within our community of practice.

HARATA Tue, 09/17/2024 - 09:29

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Manager

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

��ýReleases Free “Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries”

HARATA — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 15:31:11 +0000

��ýReleases Free “Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries”

CHICAGO – Libraries do their best work when they work with partners. The ��ý (ALA) today announced the “Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries”, a free resource created to help library workers consider the big-picture goals of library programming and determine ways to begin and sustain impactful partnerships.

The toolkit provides five tools for library workers with actionable steps to help partnerships grow sustainably, meet goals, expand organizational capacity, thoughtfully engage with partner audiences and more.

The five different tools can be used individually or in combination:

Tool 1: Determining Goals: Why Do We Work Together?
Tool 2: Determining Partnership Focus Areas: What Work Can We Do Together?
Tool 3: Determining Contributions: What Do We Each Bring to the Table?
Tool 4: Determining Partner Interactions: How Do We Work Together?
Tool 5: Determining Strengths and Weaknesses: What Does a Successful Partnership Look Like?

Get the toolkit here.

The ��ýPublic Programs Office will collect use cases from libraries that have utilized the toolkit. If your library uses all or part of the toolkit, we invite you to email publicprograms@ala.org.

“Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries” is an output of Phase 2 of the National Impact of Library Public Programs Assessment (NILPPA). In 2021, ��ýreceived additional funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help equip libraries with information and tools to help them successfully fulfill their roles as civic and cultural hubs.

Through NILPPA, ��ýand Knology, a social science research nonprofit, are working to document the characteristics, audiences, outcomes, and value of U.S. library public programming. Learn more about NILPPA and its resources.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through grants LG-250153-OLS-21, LG-96-17-0048-17 and LG-62-13-0210-13, and by funding from the ��ýCultural Communities Fund.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ý (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation, and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

About Knology

Knology is a non-profit research organization with a mission of practical social science for a better world. Knology’s approach to research is not just theoretical—we work alongside highly networked, national organizations (including media creators, libraries, museums, game developers, and community groups) to simultaneously study and solve real world challenges in real time. Through research, evaluation, convenings, and capacity building workshops, our transdisciplinary team of over 20 social scientists, writers, and educators helps professionals improve their ability to facilitate understanding and advance public conversation. Our work yields new and refined practices partners can use to deepen their social impacts and build more inclusive, informed, and cooperative societies that thrive together with the natural systems on which we all depend.

HARATA Mon, 06/17/2024 - 10:31

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Specialist

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

Tom C. Clark High School Awarded ALA’s 2024 Jaffarian Award for Freedom Walk Program

HARATA — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 13:20:37 +0000

Tom C. Clark High School Awarded ALA’s 2024 Jaffarian Award for Freedom Walk Program

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) has awarded its 2024 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award to Tom C. Clark High School in San Antonio, Texas for its Freedom Walk program.

The $5,000 Jaffarian Award, supported by ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund, recognizes excellence in humanities programming in school libraries that serve grades K-12.

Selected from a competitive group of proposals, Tom C. Clark High School is the first high school to win the Jaffarian Award. This year, the Jaffarian Award included school libraries serving 9-12. Previously, only school libraries serving K-8 were eligible.

In the face of legislative threats and scrutiny against public school libraries and access to resources, Clark High School’s winning program centered on the freedom to read and engaged the community to understand the fundamental rights of students to access a diverse range of information and literature in their school library.

In 2023, Clark High School librarian, Lucy Podmore, redesigned the school’s traditional observance of Banned Books Week into a Freedom to Read Week, introducing the Freedom Walk, an all-encompassing event for students.

Collaborating with social studies teachers to align with curriculum, the Freedom Walk occurred during student lunch periods and comprised of five stations centered around various censorship issues: 1st Amendment rights, censorship terms, school district collection development and reconsideration policies, books as windows and mirrors, and voter registration/education. The interactive stations gave nearly 500 students the opportunity to reflect and learn about their own experiences with censorship through games and introspective prompts.

“The Freedom Walk stands as a vibrant example of how interactive and thoughtful programming can ignite engagement with critical societal issues among young people,” said Podmore. “The Freedom Walk is more than just an event; it's a catalyst for change, inspiring students to take an active role in their communities and in the broader democratic process.”

This year’s Jaffarian Award Committee was chaired by Anita Cellucci, library teacher, Westborough (Mass.) High School; Anne Link, K-5 media specialist, Bristol Elementary School, Webster Groves, Mo.; Carla Larsen, retired elementary school media specialist, South Washington County Schools Cottage Gove, Minn.; and Joe Zappitello, director, Harbor-Topky Public Library, Ashtabula, Ohio.

“The Award Committee was impressed by the emphasis on civil dialogue and the lasting student interest in the topics beyond the day of the event,” said Cellucci. “The level of collaboration with the community and the focus on censorship and advocacy made this a standout and relevant school program.”

The Jaffarian Award is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in cooperation with the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Applications for the 2025 award will open in February 2025. Application information, award guidelines and a list of previous winners are available at www.ala.org/jaffarian.

To stay up to date on award and grant offerings from ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ýPublic Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation and connection in communities of all types. Learn more at www.ala.org/ppo.

About the American Association of School Librarians

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the ��ý (ALA), empowers leaders to transform teaching and learning.

About the ��ý

The ��ý (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ��ýhas been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.

HARATA Mon, 06/03/2024 - 08:20

Awards

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Specialist

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

Grant Support Materials

KMCGOURTY — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:42:24 +0000

Grant Support Materials KMCGOURTY Wed, 05/01/2024 - 14:42

Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities

The following pages contain information and resources that you will need during your grant period. See the table of contents below.

General Information
- Your ��ýContacts
- Important Dates
- Online Platforms You Will Use During This Grant
- Required Reporting
- Spending Grant Funds
Conversation and Project Resources
- Facilitation eCourse and Guide
- Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Practitioner's Guide
Communicating About Your Grant
- Communications training videos
- Ready-Made Templates/Graphics
- Creating Your Own Communications
- Accessibility in Communications
Additional Resources
- Community Conversation Resources
- Programming Librarian Resources
- Accessibility Resources

Grant Support Materials - Additional Resources

KMCGOURTY — Wed, 01 May 2024 19:11:24 +0000

Grant Support Materials - Additional Resources KMCGOURTY Wed, 05/01/2024 - 14:11

Additional LTC Accessible Conversation Resources

The Libraries Transforming Communities eCourse and Facilitation Guide will give you all the basics you need to plan and lead your conversation. If you wish to go deeper, these additional ��ýresources will help!

There are many ways to structure a conversation with a group of people, and ��ýhas curated a list of resources that have proven popular with libraries. ��ýand its partners at the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) identified two of these approaches — Conversation Café and Future Search — that may be a good starting point for small or rural libraries because of their focus on small groups. You are welcome to explore any and all of these approaches to see what fits your needs; they all have different strengths.

��ýhas curated some of these resources on its Libraries Transforming Communities website (ala.org/LTC), where you will find free webinar recordings, printable resources and guidance about:

Conversation Café: Useful when you want participants to learn more about themselves, their community or an issue, and/or discover innovative solutions to problems.
Essential Partners: Useful when you need to resolve conflicts, encourage community healing after a crisis or trauma, or improve relations among groups in your community.
Everyday Democracy: Useful when you need to empower community members to solve complicated problems and take responsibility for the solutions.
Future Search: Useful in uncertain, fast-changing situations when it is important that everyone have the same large picture in order to act responsibly.
Harwood Institute for Public Innovation: Useful when you want to identify and learn more about your community’s needs and desires.
National Issues Forums: Useful when you want to encourage exploration of tough public problems in increase public knowledge of the issue, and/or you wish to influence public decisions and policy.
World Café: Useful when you want to encourage exploration of a topic, exploration of participants’ own views and experiences as well as the experiences of others, and/or to explore and develop innovative ideas and solutions.

Programming Librarian Resources

ALA’s Programming Librarian website includes articles, program ideas and resource recommendations on library programming topics.

Below is a selection of Programming Librarian content related to leading conversations, either live or in-person, written by library workers. You may find them helpful or interesting while planning your conversation. Stay up to date on future Programming Librarian articles by signing up for the free newsletter.

"Inclusive Deaf Community Engagement at Your Library" (September 22, 2022)
"Fighting for Accessibility in Small and Rural Libraries" (August 30, 2022)
"Tele-Conferencing 101" (March 8, 2021)
"Ground Rules: How to Set Successful Guidelines for Your Conversation Programs" (January 21, 2021)
“7 Ways to Make Your Virtual Programs More Accessible to Patrons with Disabilities” (December 18, 2020)
“Tips for Facilitating a Virtual Group Conversation” (September 29, 2020)
“Wisconsin Deaf Storyslam: Q&A with the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant Recipient” (June 24, 2020)
“Reaching Out to People with Disabilities: Sacramento Public Library and the Harwood Institute” (May 17, 2019)

Additional Accessibility Resources

Below are additional resources you may find helpful when working to increase the accessibility of your library's facilities, programs, or services.

Access to Libraries for Persons with Disabilities: Checklist (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions)
Accessible Digital Marketying (Access Living)
ADA Accessibility Guidelines (United States Access Board)
Disability Language Style Guide (National Center on Disability Journalism)
Remodeling and Expanding Carnegie-Era Library Buildings
Creating Inclusive Library Environments: A Planning Guide for Serving Patrons with Disabilities by Michelle Kowalsky and John Woodruff
Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
Disabilities and the Library: Fostering Equity for Patrons and Staff with Differing Abilities Clayton A. Copeland, editor
Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century by Alice Wong
Engaging Disability: Social Science Perspectives on Information and Inclusion, International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion
Including Families of Children with Special Needs: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, Revised Edition by Carrie Scott Banks, Sandra Feinberg, Barbara Jordan, Kathleen Deerr, and Michelle Langa
Library Programming for Adults with Developmental Disabilities by Carrie Scott Banks and Barbara Klipper
Library Programming for Autistic Children and Teens, Second Edition by Amelia Anderson
Library Services for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Lesley S. J. Farmer
Library Signage and Wayfinding Design: Communicating Effectively with Your Users by Mark Aaron Polger
Read This to Get Smarter by Blair Imani
Reference and Instructional Services to Postsecondary Education Students with Intellectual Disabilities by Mirah Dow, Bobbie Sartin Long, and Brady D. Lund
Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Perspectives and Insights from People with Disabilities by Kodi Laskin
Supporting People to Live Well with Dementia: A Guide for Library Services by Sarah McNicol
To Watch: Crip Camp
Access and Equity Webinars, Web Junction

Below are resources you can use to increase the accessibility of various aspects of your library’s administration practices (e.g. policies, hiring, etc.).

Job Accommodation Network Resource Page
Library Accessibility: What You Need to Know, Reference & User Services Association
Project Enable
Special Needs Awareness, Association for Library Services to Children Blog
Targeting Autism, Illinois State Library

Previous Section: Communicating About Your Grant

Grant Support Materials - Communicating about Your Grant

KMCGOURTY — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:53:59 +0000

Grant Support Materials - Communicating about Your Grant KMCGOURTY Wed, 05/01/2024 - 13:53

Getting the community involved is key to success in community engagement! With this in mind, ��ýhas created the following communications templates to help spread the word to your primary audience and your community.

Navigation

Training Videos
Ready-Made Templates/Graphics
Creating Your Own Communications
Accessibility in Communications

Training Videos

General Communications 101 - making a plan, developing your message (11:43)

Resources from ��ýand Beyond - how to use the ready-made templates and how to make your own (7:20)

Accessibility in Communications - why it matters, impact, getting started (13:06)

You are not required to use these materials, but you are encouraged to. If you prefer to write your own announcements, please see below for credit requirements.

Read ALA's press release announcing the Round 1 libraries (Published May 15, 2023)
Read ALA's press release announcing the Round 2 libraries (Published March 4, 2024)

Ready-Made Templates/Graphics

Announcing Your Grant

The following templates can be used to share the news that you have received an LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Libraries grant and to briefly explain your plans. You can distribute these any time after ��ýannounces the grant.

[Note: Documents will download as Word documents.]

Communications plan template: Use this template to create your own promotion plan.
Round One Grant announcement press release: round one grantees: Use this template to share the news of your grant with local media.
Round Two Grant announcement press release: round two grantees: Use this template to share the news of your grant with local media.
Elected official email: Use this template to share the news of your grant with elected officials. You can edit this email to invite them to an event, ask them to help promote a new library service, or to generally inform them about the grant.
Community group letter: Use this template to share the news of your grant with community groups/nonprofits and/or to ask for their involvement.
Social media posts: Use these templates to post the news of your grant on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media channels.
NEW: Tell a friend email template: Use this email template to encourage colleagues to apply for round two of LTC: Access. You can customize it to your own voice and share it widely with friends.

Inviting People to Your Conversation

The following templates can be used to invite people to participate in your conversation or get involved in your LTC work. You can distribute these whenever you are ready, but you should try to give people several weeks’ notice to attend a conversation. Per the grant guidelines, conversations must take place between June 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024 for Round 1 grantees.

Email invitation: Use this casual email template to invite people to attend your conversation or learn more
Media alert: Use this template to invite representatives of the media to attend your conversation, or submit it to the media so they can add it to the calendar section of their website/publication
Social media posts: Use these templates to invite people to your conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media channels

Reporting and Sharing Out about Your Conversation

Per the grant guidelines, you are asked to share information about the content/outcomes of the conversation in at least one of the following ways.

Write a letter to a local newspaper or other media outlet or post it to the library's social media
Create a video and post it to the library’s YouTube, Facebook, or other social media account
Write and send a letter or email to a state legislator or other elected official (see elected official letter template above) about the library's community engagement effort
Create a library blog or podcast about issues discussed during the conversation or the process itself
Use PLA’s Project Outcome Civic/Community Engagement or ACRL’s Project Outcome Events & Programs areas to collect and share feedback about the conversation with community leaders

Printable Materials (customizable)

Flyer (PDF)
Bookmark (PDF)
Postcard (PDF, 6x4)
Postcard (PDF, 7x5)
Instructions for digitally editing printable materials (Word Document)

Graphics

Add these graphics to your library’s website or social media channels when talking about your LTC work.

Creating Your Own Communications

If the above templates do not meet your needs, you are welcome to create your own materials, provided they include the proper logos/acknowledgments. As a general rule, any materials you create related to your LTC work (e.g., press releases, media alerts, webpages, invitations, flyers, posters, bookmarks) should include a “nod” to ALA.

Logos: Note: Grant recipients are authorized to use logos only for LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities project purposes for the duration of the grant.

Acknowledgment statement: “Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the ��ý (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).”

On some pieces (e.g., a large poster), you will find it easy to include both the logos and acknowledgment. Other pieces (e.g., bookmarks or graphics for social media) may be too small to include both. In that case, one or the other is sufficient.

You do not need to obtain additional permissions, but you are welcome to email publicprograms@ala.org with any questions.

Accessibility in Communications

Training Videos

Accessibility in Communications - why it matters, impact, getting started

Standards for Digital Accessibility

WebHow to remediate PDFs Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Continued Learning on Digital Accessibility

Tool for Testing and Correcting Readability of Content

Hemingway App (also available for Desktop)
NVDA Screen Reader
WAVE (suite of evaluation tools that helps authors make their web content more accessible to individuals with disabilities)
WebAIM Color Contrast Checker
Bit.ly to shorten long links

Accessible Documents Tools

Stay on top of the latest news

Accessible Social Media’s Accessibility by Platform

Previous Section: Conversation and Project Resources

Next Section: Additional Resources

Grant Support Materials - Conversation and Project Resources

KMCGOURTY — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:39:52 +0000

Grant Support Materials - Conversation and Project Resources KMCGOURTY Wed, 05/01/2024 - 13:39

Navigation

Facilitation eCourse and Guide
Serving Patrons with Disabilities: Practitioner's Guide

Per the LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant guidelines, library project directors must complete the six-part, asynchronous eCourse "Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Training for Small and Rural Libraries", watch the four onboarding webinars, and read the practitioner's guide.

LTC Accessible's goal is to help library workers develop community engagement skills, such as those required to lead conversations and understand the perspectives of disability accessibility. ��ýhas complied a range of resources to help you prepare for you conversation and project.

Facilitation ECourse and Guide

Project directors are required to facilitate their conversation(s) using skills learned from the six-part, asynchronous eCourse "Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Training for Small and Rural Libraries." This online course is offered on ��ýeLearning, and you will need to create a free account to access it. View instructions here.

You should prepare to spend approximately four hours to complete the entire course prior to your first planned conversation. Please note: the eCourse is entirely asynchronous. Project directors are free to complete the course at a pace that works best with their availability.

Also available for your use is the companion Facilitation Guide, “Leading Conversations in Small and Rural Libraries” (PDF) and the "Accessible Conversations in Small and Rural Libraries Facilitation Guide".

While use of the guide is not a grant requirement, we hope you will find it a useful reference. Both the eCourse and Facilitation Guide are free and available to all library workers, regardless of whether they received an LTC grant from ALA. The materials were made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant number RE-17-19-0041-19.

Practitioner's Guide

In addition to the Facilitation eCourse and guide, in collaboration with multiple authors we have created a practitioner's guide for Improving Services, Facilities, and Programs for People with Disabilities. A physical copy will be mailed to project directors.

Download "Serving Patrons with Disabilities in Small and Rural Libraries: Practitioner's Guide"

Watch the accompanying webinar with the authors discussing how to use the guide on the General Information page.

Grantee Webinars

In addition to the eCourse, grantees are also required to attend/view the four onboarding webinars. These webinars are designed to help you effectively implement your community engagement projects, gain a better understanding of disability and accessibility, and complete grant requirements. More information is available on the General Information page.

Previous Section: General Information

Next Section: Communicating About Your Grant

Grant Support Materials - General Information

KMCGOURTY — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:11:46 +0000

Grant Support Materials - General Information KMCGOURTY Wed, 05/01/2024 - 11:11

Navigation

Your ��ýContacts
Important Dates
Online Platforms
Webinars
Required Reporting
Spending Grant Funds
Participating in Grant Evaluations

Your ��ýContacts

If you have questions, please contact:

Kaileen McGourty, Program Officer, publicprograms@ala.org and kmcgourty@ala.org
- For general grant or project questions and budget changes
Samantha Oakley, Project Director, soakley@ala.org
- For questions about project evaluation and/or requests about major project changes

Important Dates

Round 2:

March 5, 2024 at 1:00 to 2:00pm CT - Orientation Webinar
March 14, 2024 at 1:00 to 2:30pm CT - Understanding Disability Webinar
March 20, 2024 at 1:00 to 2:00pm CT - Improving Services, Facilities, & Programs for People with Disabilities Webinar
March 28, 2024 at 1:00 to 2:00pm CT - Hosting Accessible Community Conversations Webinar
By April 1, 2024 - Create an ��ýConnect and ��ýeLearning account. Review the account creation instructions in the Online Platforms section below.
April 1, 2024 - Grant Implementation Period Starts
By September 30, 2024 - Submit Interim Report
March 31, 2025 - Grant Implementation Period Ends
- Ensure all grant funds are spent down
April 30, 2025 - Submit Final Report

You can download an LTC Access Round 2 checklist to help keep track of all the important dates and tasks.

Round 1:

May 3, 2023 12:00 to 1:00pm CT - Orientation Webinar
May 10, 2023 12:00 to 1:30pm CT - Understanding Disability Webinar
May 17, 2023 12:00 to 1:00pm CT - Improving Services, Facilities, & Programs for People with Disabilities Webinar
May 24, 2024 11:00am to 12:00pm CT - Hosting Accessible Community Conversations Webinar
By June 1, 2023 - Create an ��ýConnect and ��ýeLearning account
June 1, 2023 - Grant Implementation Period Starts
By November 30, 2023 - Submit Interim Report
May 31, 2024 - Grant Implementation Period Ends
- Ensure all grant funds are spent down
June 30, 2024 - Submit Final Report

You can download an LTC Access Round 1 checklist to help keep track of all the important dates and tasks.

Online Platforms

Over the course of this grant you will need access to three online platforms. We recommend bookmarking these login pages.

��ýApply is the platform you used to submit your application. This is where you completed your Grant Acceptance Form and it's where you will complete your Interim and Final reports. Login using the same username and password you used to submit the application.
��ýConnect is an online platform for discussion and collaboration between ��ýmembers. Whether you are an ��ýmember or not, LTC Access project directors will use this platform to communicate throughout the grant. Once you are a member of the discussion list, you will automatically receive any message a member sends to the community and may make posts yourself. You will need to create a free ��ýConnect account by April 1 in order to access the LTC discussion group (be sure to agree to the term and conditions to complete activation.) you will receive an email invitation to join the LTC group when it launches. See detailed instructions here.
��ýeLearning is the platform you will use to access the required Facilitation E-Course. You will need to create a free login to access the course. See detailed instructions here and learn more about our E-Learning here.

Webinars

Round 2

Orientation Webinar (March 5, 2024)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide deck

Understanding Disability Webinar (March 14, 2024)

Recording (90 minutes)
Slide deck

Improving Services, Facilities & Programs for People with Disabilities Webinar (March 20, 2024)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide deck

Hosting Accessible Community Conversations Webinar (March 28, 2024)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide deck

Round 1

Orientation Webinar (May 3, 2023)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide deck

Understanding Disability Webinar (May 10, 2023)

Recording (90 minutes)
Slide deck

Improving Services, Facilities, & Programs for People with Disabilities Webinar (May 17, 2023)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide Deck

Hosting Accessible Community Conversations Webinar (May 24, 2023)

Recording (60 minutes)
Slide Deck

Required Reporting

Round 2

Interim Report due by September 30, 2024 - this report will be completed after your conversation with the primary audience. This is where you share the feedback you receive regarding your project plans and inform us of any changes to your project in accordance with that feedback.
- This report will be assigned to your Follow Up Forms in ��ýApply.
Final Report due by April 30, 2025.
- This report will be assigned to your Follow Up Forms in ��ýApply by October 1, 2024.

Round 1

Interim Report due by November 30, 2023 - this report will be completed after your conversation with the primary audience. This is where you share the feedback you receive regarding your project plans and inform us of any changes to your project in accordance with that feedback.
- This report is assigned to your Follow Up Forms in ��ýApply.
Final Report due by June 30, 2024
- This report has been assigned in ��ýApply.
- Preview a PDF version.

A budget variance request serves to inform us of any changes to the proposed budget that was approved in your application. This is only required if the changes to your budget cause a variance of 10% or more. This is not a request for additional funding, but rather a formal process to update and align your approved budget with the project's evolving needs. To complete a budget variance request, email the following to publicprograms@ala.org:

The name of your grant (LTC Access)
Your original budget (from your application)
Your new budget
A brief explanation of why the change is needed

Spending Grant Funds

LTC grant funds are restricted to project-related expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Library staff time
Honoraria for conversation participants
Payment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g., ASL interpreters, live captioners)
Facility upgrades (e.g., automatic door openers, accessible signage, sensory space equipment)
Tech equipment (e.g., Braillers, iPads, virtual meeting licenses)
Books or other collection materials Training for library staff (e.g., disability inclusion training)
Project supplies (e.g., markers, index cards, Post-its)
Promotion and publicity

Grant funds may not be used to support indirect costs (e.g. general library administrative expenses) or as donations to other organizations.

Grant funds should not be spent on non-conversation related expenses until you receive feedback from the primary audience in your community conversation.

If your budget changes by 10% or more: Please be sure to submit a budget variance request to ��ýby emailing publicprogram@ala.org with the subject line "LTC Access Budget Variance Request).

Participating in the Grant Evaluation

��ýis working with Knology, an independent project evaluator who is tasked with analyzing the overall impact and effectiveness of the LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities initiative. To help them measure this, you may be asked to tell them a bit about how your project is going. This may be done through invitations to complete short surveys or participate in phone interviews. These requests will be kept minimal and designed in a way to not take up a lot of your time. If you have any questions about the evaluation process, please contact Samantha Oakley (soakley@ala.org).

Next Section: Conversation and Project Resources

Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and Independence (KS) Public Library Awarded ALA’s Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

HARATA — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:43:52 +0000

Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and Independence (KS) Public Library Awarded ALA’s Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) has awarded its fifth Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant to the Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and the Independence (KS) Public Library. The winning libraries will bolster their initiatives aimed at promoting food security and addressing homelessness within their communities.

The $2,000 annual grant assists school, public, academic, tribal and special libraries in initiating or enhancing community engagement endeavors. Each year, these grants facilitate community engagement projects centered around a particular theme. In 2024, libraries submitted proposals concentrated on "community empowerment.”

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is made possible by former ��ýpresident and longtime generous supporter Nancy Kranich, supplemented by donors to ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund. The grant selection committee comprises a chair and four ��ýmembers appointed by ALA's Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee (PCPAC).

“Hoboken Public Library and Independence Public Library have exemplified outstanding programs that empower their communities,” stated Nancy Kranich. “My congratulations go to both libraries, chosen from a competitive group of impressive proposals that reflect my ongoing passion for libraries transforming communities. I’m proud to support such promising and innovative projects.”

Hoboken Public Library will use the grant to initiate a Homelessness Advisory Group, a monthly program that empowers unhoused patrons by collaborating with them to provide essential and responsive tools and resources. The program will feature a series of workshops covering mental wellness, first aid/CPR/Naloxone training, outdoor survival skills, tenant education, workplace readiness and financial literacy.

Independence Public Library will use the grant to continue its Eat, Play, Read initiative, which aims to combat food insecurity. This program empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about their nutritional intake. With grant funding, the library will supplement the initiative by providing fresh produce grown in the library’s STEAM Garden, which will be upgraded with ADA-compliant planters and safe barriers.

“Hoboken’s efforts to center and work with unhoused patrons in the community, and Independence’s work with a range of community partners to manage their own food resources, are both standout initiatives,” said Elaine Tai, committee chair and supervising librarian at Berkeley (Calif.) Public Library. “These projects exemplify the ways libraries can work with and empower the people they serve.”

Support future Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grants by contributing to ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.

To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ý (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation, and connection in communities of all types.

About the ��ý

HARATA Mon, 04/15/2024 - 08:43

Awards

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Specialist

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

Three Libraries Awarded ALA’s 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Exceptional Civic Education Programs

HARATA — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:40:38 +0000

Three Libraries Awarded ALA’s 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Exceptional Civic Education Programs

CHICAGO — The ��ý (ALA) has awarded its 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ��ýleader, to the Library System of Bradford County (New Albany, Penn.), Danbury (Conn.) Public Library and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries (Mount Pleasant, Mich.).

The $2,500 grant, open to public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries, supports meaningful programs in libraries with limited programming budgets. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant supports a different type of library programming each year. Applicants for the 2024 grant proposed programming related to civic education.

The Library System of Bradford County’s proposed project, Why Your Vote Matters: History, How to, and More, will educate library patrons on the right to vote, how to find information on candidates and how running for local office can help the community become more engaged in shaping the future of the region. The library will partner with the Bradford County Regional Arts Council to present a film on voting rights followed by a panel discussion and meet and greet with local elected officials.

The Civic Hub Initiative at the Danbury Public Library will be a “pop-up” space within the library for rotating collections on civics topics and activities focused on local issues. Patrons will take part in programs including talks with local organizations to encourage community volunteering. The rotating topics as part of the Civic Hub will include voting, environmental sustainability, food insecurity, housing instability, immigration and income inequality.

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries will host the program, Kna-dwen-mi-go (You Are Needed), to provide an opportunity and space for tribal community members to engage with Native people who currently hold non-Tribal-elected office. With Native Americans underrepresented in non-Tribal elected offices, the program will encourage attendees to consider running for office themselves. Current Native elected officials will be available to answer any questions and work as guides to help those interested. Hosted in-person and virtually, the library aims for this program to reach a large audience and for it to be an opportunity for collaboration with community partners.

“The committee of the 2024 Peggy Barber Award was greatly impressed by the many mindful and creative proposals we received this year,” said Alicia Deal, committee chair and librarian at Dallas (Texas) Public Library. “The three winning libraries represent the innovative ways library programming can work to engage communities in civics on local and national levels. The selection committee sends our congratulations to the winners, and we look forward to the outcomes of the proposed projects.”

Margaret "Peggy" Barber was a transformative leader in ��ýand the library field who was behind the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant was created with donations from Barber’s friends and colleagues. To support the grant, make a contribution to the Peggy Barber tribute fund within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.

To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.

About the ��ýPublic Programs Office

The ��ý (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation, and connection in communities of all types.

About the ��ý

HARATA Mon, 04/15/2024 - 08:40

Awards

Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

Contact:

Hannah Arata

Communications Specialist

��ý

Public Programs Office

harata@ala.org

Public Programs Office (PPO)

������ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

������ýReleases Free “Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries”

Tom C. Clark High School Awarded ALA’s 2024 Jaffarian Award for Freedom Walk Program

Grant Support Materials

Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities

Grant Support Materials - Additional Resources

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Additional LTC Accessible Conversation Resources

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Grant Support Materials - Communicating about Your Grant

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Training Videos

Ready-Made Templates/Graphics

Creating Your Own Communications

Accessibility in Communications

Grant Support Materials - Conversation and Project Resources

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Facilitation ECourse and Guide

Practitioner's Guide

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Grant Support Materials - General Information

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Your ������ýContacts

Important Dates

Round 2:

Round 1:

Online Platforms

Webinars

Round 2

Round 1

Required Reporting

Round 2

Round 1

Spending Grant Funds

Participating in the Grant Evaluation

Next Section: Conversation and Project Resources

Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and Independence (KS) Public Library Awarded ALA’s Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

Three Libraries Awarded ALA’s 2024 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Exceptional Civic Education Programs

��ýinvites applicants for $3.5 million in grants as part of third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

��ýReleases Free “Partnering for Stronger Programming: A Toolkit for Libraries”

Your ��ýContacts