grant writing 101 for youth services librarians
TRANSCRIPT
Grant Writing 101FOR YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIANS
Grant writing is no party, people.
Grant writing is dry, boring stuff The cons: Lots of tedious paperwork, administrative jargon, fact checking. Plan on rewriting and editing until yourvision goes blurry.
But it’s totally worth itPaid performers
BUT
But it’s totally worth it Teen Programs
But it’s totally worth it Early Literacy Initiatives
But it’s totally worth it New Shelving & Library Furnishings
New ShelvesChairs, TablesRugsBook carts
The Wealth of the World
Grants
Federal & State
LSTA Grants via State Library
Commission
State & Regional Arts Organizations
Library-Loving Professional
Organizations
ALA, ALSC, YALSA, EJK Foundation
Corporations
Walmart, Target, etc.
Sponsors
Local Businesses
Local banks, stores
Local Organizations
FOL, Rotary Clubs, DAR
Don’t Stress Out.
Step 1: Figure out your project.
Step 1: Figure Out Your Project
WHO: What age group or
demographic.
What evidence do
you have that your
target audience will be affected?
What staff will be
needed?
WHAT:supplies, materials,
equipment, & training
What you already
have/ What you don’t
have
WHEN: When will program
start/end? Which day and time?
WHERE:Do you
have the space that is needed?
WHY:Why is this needed?
What outcomes
are anticipated?
Step 2: Figure out if a grant or sponsorship is best for your project.
GrantAt least 6 months in advance
Lots of money needed!
You are allowed to apply for grants
You found a grant you think this project is perfect for
Your sponsors are tapped out.
SponsorshipYou have a great local organization or group who want to fund a library project
Step 3: Find the grant that can make it happen
Step 4: Read the Fine Print
What do you have to provide? (Match grants) Do you have to be a member? Do you have to advertise, in what ways What stats will you have to collect What do you have to document (final report) What is the overall timeline going to look like? Most grants you
have to apply for anywhere from 6 months to 18 months in advance.
Case StudyEJK Minigrant VS Entergy Open Grant
Step 5: Measure that Success!
1. Surveys2. Attendance3. Effects afterwards (new programs, etc)4. Test scores5. Increased circulation6. New library members
Step 6: Back That Sh*t Up!
Annie E. Casey Foundation: http://datacenter.kidscount.org/ Pew Internet & American Life Project:
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/ Great Schools: www.greatschools.org U.S. Census: http://www.census.gov/
Your local public school districts Your library’s Annual Statistical Report
Step 7: Practice Concise & Consistent Writing
You don’t have to write the maximum # of words for each field.
Consistency “LEGO© Summer Workshops” is different than “Summer Lego
Workshops” Children’s Librarian is different than Children’s Specialist
Acronyms The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS). Afterwards, use CALS.
Don’t flip-flop.
Typos. They are everyhwere.
Find multiple peer-editors (coworkers from same or diff department, MLC consultant, your boss, etc):
Content Typos, grammar, awkwardness Consistency
Then give them candy.
Last but Not Least.
Don’t let the grant kill your spirit. If you’ve never applied for a grant, start small.
Ex of small grants: Look for these words: “MINIGRANT” and “CONTEST”
It never hurts to ask
Any Questions?
Jaclyn AndersonYouth Services DirectorMadison County Library System102 Priestley StreetCanton, MS [email protected]