Library Improvement Grants Available

The 2011 Library Improvment Grants are now available, Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner announced recently. The overall goal of these grants is to facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraires by supplementing (not supplanting) local funding with federal funds. Applications will be due January 7, 2011 — if submitted electronically, by 11:59 PM Central Time ; or, if in paper, postmarked that day or hand-delivered to the Commission by 5:00 PM Central Time. Accredited public libraries, state-operated institutional libraries, and regional library systems are eligible to apply for these competitive grants. In order to be considered for funding, a grant must meet at least one of six Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) purposes listed in the Commission’s 2008-2012 Long Range Plan. Grant applicants must provide matching for the grant — a 10% cash match, and an overall 25% match. Projects which provide access to the Internet require compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), and the libraries must have applied for and receive E-rate discounts (or show that the library already receives equivalent discounts from its Internet service provider). To apply for a Library Improvement Grant, go to this link. For questions about this grant contact Richard Miller at 800-307-2665, 402-471-3175.