Youth Grants for Excellence Now Available

The Nebraska Library Commission announces that grants are available to accredited public libraries and state-run institutional libraries for special projects in the area of children’s and young adult services. These grants are awarded to encourage innovation and expansion of public library services for youth and their parents or caregivers.  We made a change in the requirements earlier today.  The green type in the Introduction sections indicates the change.  The new phrasing is: In general, the purchase of computer equipment is not allowed.  This means that computer equipment or technology that is going to be used for circulation, general Internet access, etc. as part of the library’s regular services would not be considered.  However, computer equipment and/or technology which is necessary for specific youth programs or services and without which such programs or services would not be possible, will be considered.  Contact Sally Snyder if you have questions. Applications will be accepted for projects in the two areas of focus: Encourage Creativity, or Early Childhood Reading Programs; as well as other listed areas of service to youth. (Visit the “youth grants intro” link below.) The Youth Grants for Excellence require a 25% match, of which at least 10% must be a cash match. The minimum amount that will be awarded per grant is $250, which means the minimum total project cost will be $312, with your library providing at least $62 (cash and in-kind) for the 25% match required. Once again this year there are two different application forms. For projects requesting $250 – $1,000 in grant funds use the abbreviated, or short form.  Applications requesting more than $1,000 must use the long form. Please be sure to use the correct form for your project.  (See below for live link to forms.) Applications and support materials must be received by the Nebraska Library Commission with the postmarked date no later than October 5, 2012 or submitted electronically by 11:59 P.M. CDT on October 5, 2012 . Faxes will not be accepted. You will be notified by November 9, 2012 if you are awarded a grant. The forms and information for the Youth Grants for Excellence are now available online.  Visit the “Introduction” here, read through the requirements, and scroll to the bottoom for the forms.