IMLS 2016 ARSL Presentation

1. Institute of Museum and Library Services
Association of Rural and Small Libraries
October 29, 2016

2. What is IMLS?
 Who are we?
IMLS is the primary source of federal support
for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000
museums.
 What do we do?
We make grants, convene groups, conduct
research, and publish in order to build the
capacity of museums and libraries to serve the
public.

3. Mission
Vision
A democratic society where communities and individuals
thrive with broad public access to knowledge, cultural
heritage and lifelong learning.
The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to
advance innovation, learning, and cultural and civic
engagement. We provide leadership through research,
policy development and grant-making.

4. IMLS Strategic Plan
Three programmatic strategic goals drive IMLS grant-making.
Learning Experiences: IMLS places the learner at the
center and supports engaging experiences in libraries
and museums that prepare people to be full participants
in their local communities and our global society.
Community Anchors: IMLS promotes museums and
libraries as strong community anchors that enhance civic
engagement, cultural opportunities, and economic
vitality.
Collections Stewardship: IMLS supports exemplary
stewardship of museum and library collections and
promotes the use of technology to facilitate discovery of
knowledge and cultural heritage.

5. About IMLS Grant Programs

6. Recent Awards Benefitting Rural Libraries
 OCLC Online Computer
Library and ARSL
 StoryCorps with ATALM
and ARSL
 ALA with National
Coalition on Dialogue and
Deliberation
 Colorado Library
Consortium with ARSL
and PLA
 University of Tennessee
Dr. Bharat Mehra at CIDLIS

7. Office of Library Services
 Native American/Native Hawaiian Grants
– Native Hawaiian
– Basic – All eligible requests granted
– Enhancement – Remainder of funding
 Laura Bush 21st Century
 National Leadership Grants for Libraries
 Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries

8. Native American Library Services:
Basic Grants
Program Goals
Supports existing library operations and to maintain
core library services. Education/ Assessment Option
provides funding for continuing education of library
staff or hiring of consultant to do a library
assessment. Non-competitive.
Deadline April 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
$6,000 ($7,000 with Education option) – One year
Cost Share Not required
Eligibility
Federally recognized tribes; Alaska Native villages and
corporations

9. Native American Library Services:
Enhancement Grants
Program Goals
Enhance existing library services or implement new
library services, e.g. education, lifelong learning,
workforce development, digital literacy skills,
language revitalization, cultural heritage
preservation. Competitive.
Deadline April 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
Up to $150,000 – Up to two years
Cost Share Not required
Eligibility
Federally recognized tribes; Alaska Native villages and
corporations

10. Native Hawaiian Library Services
Program Goals
Support activities that enhance existing library
services or implement new library services, e.g.
education, lifelong learning, workforce development,
digital literacy skills, language revitalization, cultural
heritage preservation. Competitive.
Deadline April 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
Varies. Generally up to $150,000 – Up to two years
Cost Share Not required
Eligibility
Nonprofit organizations that primarily serve and
represent Native Hawaiians

11. Library Grant Programs
Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Program Goals
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
Program (LB21) supports professional
development, graduate education, and
continuing education to help libraries
and archives develop a diverse
workforce of librarians to better meet
the changing learning and information
needs of the American public.
Deadlines February 2017
Amount $50,000-$1,000,000
Cost Share
Cost share requirements vary with
project type

12. Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian
Grants
Program Goals
Supports professional development, graduate
education and continuing education to help libraries
and archives develop the human capital capacity they
need to meet the changing learning and information
needs of the American public. Competitive.
Deadline February 1, 2017; October 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
Project: $50,000–$1,000,000. Planning: up to $50K.
Nat. Forum: up to $100K. Research: up to $500K
Up to three years; four for doctoral category
Cost Share 1:1; None for research or grants under $250,000
Eligibility
Libraries that fulfill the general criteria for
libraries may apply. See NOFO for special conditions.

13. Library Grant Programs
National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Program Goals
To support projects that address
challenges faced by the library and
archive fields, and have the potential
to advance theory or practice in those
fields.
Deadlines February 2017
Amount $10,000-$2,000,000
Cost Share
Cost share requirements vary with
project type

14. National Leadership Grants
Program Goals
Support projects that address challenges faced by the
library and archive fields and that have the potential
to advance practice in those fields. New tools,
models, or practices that can be widely used or
replicated to extend the benefits. Competitive.
Deadline February 1, 2017; October 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
Project & Research: $10,000-$2,000,000. Planning:
$10,000-$50,000. Natl. Forum: up to $100,000.
Up to three years for projects; 1 yr Planning/Forum.
Cost Share 1:1; None for research or grants under $250,000
Eligibility
Libraries that fulfill the general criteria for
libraries may apply. See NOFO for special conditions.

15. Sparks (within NLG)
Program Goals
Encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate
specific innovations in the ways they operate and the
services they provide. Must have Broad Potential
Impact and Significant Innovation. Competitive.
Deadline February 1, 2017; October 1, 2017
Amount and
Length
$10,000 to $25,000 – Up to one year
Cost Share Not required
Eligibility
Libraries that fulfill the general criteria for libraries
may apply. In addition, institutions of higher
education, including public and nonprofit universities,
are eligible.

16. To which program should I apply?
Deciding Between LB21 & NLG?
1. Is the project primarily about education and
training for information professionals (formal or
continuing education)? If yes, review the NOFO for
LB21.
2. Is this an early career research project for a
tenure track faculty member? If yes, review the
NOFO for LB21.
3. Any other work of national significance to
Libraries, Archives and Information Science? If yes,
the project probably fits in NLG, but double-check
the NOFO!

17. To which program should I apply?
Primary Project Purpose Examples Program
Professional Education,
Continuing Education, and
Research about the Profession
Masters or Doctoral education;
Scholarship program;
Workshop
LB21
Early Career Development of
Teaching Professionals
Untenured, tenure-track teaching
faculty member’s individual research
project
LB21
Practice-oriented, Scalable
Work of National Significance to
Libraries, Archives, and
Information Science
New tools;
Research findings;
Models;
Services
NLG
Double-check the NOFO!!

18. FY17 Changes
New project categories!
 •Community Anchors
– advance libraries as community anchors; civic and cultural
engagement, facilitate lifelong learning, promote digital
inclusion, and support economic vitality through
programming and services
 •National Digital Platform
– create, develop, and expand the open source software
applications used by libraries and archives to provide
digital content and services
 •Curating Collections
– preservation and management of digital library collections
and content

19. Other Changes…
 Two stage proposal and review process
– Pre-proposal reviewed by peers during in-person
meeting at IMLS
• Two-page narrative, SF-424, and Program Information
Sheet ONLY
– Pre-proposals ranked most highly will be invited to
submit full proposals
– Full proposals will be reviewed by peers
electronically
– Full proposals ranked most highly will be funded

20. Special Resources from IMLS
www.imls.gov

21. Live and recorded webinars for
applicants to each grant program
Special Resources from IMLS
Publications about museum- and
library-relevant research and initiatives
Podcasts about projects, awards, and initiatives
Blogs by grantees, constituents,
and staff

22. Application Tips
 Follow the narrative outline provided in the Notice
of Funding Opportunity. Use headings, subheadings,
or numbered sections to make it easy to read.
 Avoid generalities, acronyms, and jargon.
 Ask a colleague to review everything before you
submit.
 Contact IMLS program staff with questions.

23. Application Tips
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: We make grants only to eligible
applicants that submit complete applications, including
attachments, on or before the deadline. Please:
 Start early.
 Upload application files to Grants.gov prior to deadline.
 Check uploaded files against the Table of Application
Components in Notice of Funding Opportunity.
 Resubmit before the deadline if you need to do so.

24. IMLS Funding Opportunities
Questions?

25. How to Contact Us
Sandy Toro, Ph.D.
Senior Program Officer – Office of Library Services
202-653-4730
storo@imls.gov

26. Thank you!