IMPORTANT!!!
The Grants are no longer available.
If you have questions please contact
.
.
IMPORTANT!!!
Grant applications will not be accepted until .
If you have questions please contact
.
.
2023 Library Improvement Grants
In 2023 the Nebraska Library Commission will award federal funds to
libraries through a competitive grant process. These funds are provided by the
Institute of Museum and Library Services, with funds administered through the
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
To learn more, watch the recording of the October 19 NCompass Live webinar,
NLC Grants for 2023 (1 hour, 25 minutes).
PROGRAM GOALS
The purpose of the Library
Improvement Grants is to facilitate growth and development of library programs
and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing
local funding with federal funds designated for these purposes.
In keeping with the goals of the Library Services and Technology Act, these
Library Improvement Grants are intended to help libraries meet the goals of the
Nebraska Library Commission LSTA Five-Year Plan 2023-2027.
In order to be funded projects must meet one or more of the following "LSTA Purposes":
- Facilitate access to resources . . . for the
purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry;
- Encourage resource sharing among . . . libraries for the purpose
of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to
the public;
- Promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance and
expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including those
services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st century
skills, and digital literacy skills;
- Ensure the preservation of knowledge and library collections in all
formats and to enable libraries to serve their communities during
disasters;
- Promote library services that provide users with access to information
through national, state, local, regional, and international
collaborations and networks.
For more information, see the Nebraska Library Commission
LSTA
Sub-Grant Policies and Procedures Manual.
ELIGIBLE ENTITIES
Other organizations can partner with an eligible entity for purposes of
submitting a grant application for a collaborative project.
DEADLINES/TIMETABLES
Online applications will be accepted
through 11:59 PM (CT) on
November 18, 2022.
Recipients will be announced
by
December 31 16, 2022.
Grant funds must be requested no later
than
August 15, 2023, and expended by
September 30, 2023.
The
final completion report must be submitted to NLC no later than
November 1, 2023.
INELIGIBLE COSTS
- Food and beverages for workshops, meetings, or open houses;
- Sales tax;
- Construction/remodel costs (See Notes on
Construction/Installation Costs below);
- Buying computer hardware by public or school libraries unless the
library is CIPA compliant, which requires filtering;
- “Entertainment” for a program that is not educational in nature;
- Give-away or promotional items – key chains, refrigerator magnets,
T-shirts, mugs, pens, etc.;
- No built-in furniture (shelving, for example) may be purchased with
LSTA funds. All equipment purchased must be movable/non-fixed;
- Advocacy, lobbying and “influencing” related to a yes/no vote;
- Social activities, alcoholic beverages and entertainment costs
(e.g., tickets and travel to shows or sporting events); and
- Public relations or advertising of general library services —
although you may and are encouraged to do public relations for specific
services or programs you are providing using LSTA funds. Examples: Not
allowed: “Come to the library, it’s a great place to learn.” Allowed:
“Come to the library’s information literacy program and learn how to
search the databases provided with LSTA funds.”
NOTES ON CONSTRUCTION/INSTALLATION COSTS
Generally,
construction and installation costs are
not allowable expenses.
Projects that involve outside contractors or construction trades are not
allowable expenses.
IMLS does allow what they call
“construction-lite.” If installation can be done by library staff with
minimal tools (e.g. drill and screwdriver), then that would be an allowable
cost/project.
But, if the project involves hiring someone from the
construction trades (e.g. electrician) to come in to do installation (e.g.
running either electrical wiring or Ethernet cables), then that would be an
unallowable cost/project.
For more information, see
2 CFR 225 – Cost Principles and
IMLS Tip Sheet on Allowable Costs
REPORTING ON AWARDS
Final reports should include any outputs (if available, how many people
attended, how many items purchased, etc.), but also address how the project
has achieved its intended outcomes, or the impact of the project on the
community.
Copies of all final paid invoices for purchases made with the
Library Improvement Grant funds must be submitted to complete the grant.
Invoices should be sent to Christa Porter at NLC via email, fax, or postal
mail.
Qualitative evidence of the project’s impact, such as photos and stories
from customers and staff, should be provided if available.
REQUIREMENTS/GUIDELINES
- Grants require at least a twenty-five percent (25%) local match,
of which at least 10% must be a cash match.
- Libraries should still be supported through consistent local
government funding. These payments are not intended to replace local
funds for the library, but are granted to provide for enhanced
services over and above those provided through local funding.
Libraries should be aware that continued local support is an
essential component of state aid eligibility, as well as
maintenance of
effort requirements for state aid.
- Grant recipients must meet all requirements outlined in the
grant award documents. This includes crediting the Institute of
Museum and Library Services and the Nebraska Library Commission when
undertaking and promoting grant-supported activities by including
the following statement in all published materials:
This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and
Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and
Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.
- CIPA COMPLIANCE: Projects which provide access to the Internet
require compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act
(CIPA); this means Internet access must be filtered, as required by
the federal LSTA funding. CIPA compliance is required when using
these federal funds to purchase internet access or any device that
provides access to the internet, such as: desktop, laptop, and
tablet computers; hotspots and pre-paid service plans; WiFi routers;
network boosters; WiFi access points, extenders, and repeaters; WiFi
kiosks (to bring the WiFi to public spaces outside the library); and
WiFi-enabled charging station for devices.
For CIPA FAQ's, see ALA's
An Update on Filtering. For specific questions, contact
Christa Porter, State E-Rate Coordinator for Public Libraries.
- For grant proposals involving access to
the Internet or Internet-related projects, libraries must provide an
Internet Safety Certification, which is included in the Library Improvement Grant
application.
- In order to receive LSTA funding, you must provide NLC with a
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), as required by the federal
government. Look up the UEI for your Entity (your library or
municipality), Register Your Entity for the first time, or request a
Unique Entity ID (UEI) at
SAM.gov
- Grant recipients must follow the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 with regard to
technology. Please review
IMLS Advisory: E-books Reader Lending Programs, and note that
IMLS encourages libraries to keep these laws in mind when acquiring
new public access technologies.
- Compliance with the provisions of the
NLC LSTA sub-grant manual is required, including compliance with
federal nondiscrimination laws, and access for persons with
disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency.
FORMS
Library Improvement Grant
2023 Application -
deadline to submit: November 18,
2022.
Library Improvement Grant
2023 Completion Report -
due November 1, 2023.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions, contact
Christa Porter, Library Development Director.
Grant Recipients
Database