Volume 7, July 28, 2011 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) IMLS NEEDS YOUR INPUT

2) THE BOTTOM LINE ON VOLUNTEERS

3) MORA AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE AUGUST 15

4) BUILD-A-BEAR GRANTS

5) HOW TO SECURE FUNDING FROM FOUNDATIONS

6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

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1) IMLS NEEDS YOUR INPUT

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is currently seeking input on their next 5-year strategic plan. This is your opportunity to help shape how we are able to use federal LSTA dollars in Washington.

Through discussions with the National Museum and Library Services Board, IMLS stakeholders, and the public, IMLS has developed five strategic questions to help shape future services. IMLS wants to know how they can leverage their resources, position, reputation, and relationships to:

• Promote effective public access to physical and digital content;
• Promote policy that sustains information access for the American public;
• Support lifelong learning for a competitive workforce and engaged public;
• Promote museums and libraries as community anchor institutions;
• Achieve excellence in public management.

To participate, go to imls.ideascale.com. Time is limited – the site will stop accepting comments on August 12, 2011.

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2) THE BOTTOM LINE ON VOLUNTEERS

David Junius, volunteer coordinator for the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library for the Blind, will share his in-depth knowledge of utilizing this invaluable resource at the next First Tuesdays online program, The Bottom Line on Volunteers, on Tuesday, August 2, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PDT. While volunteers can help organizations do more with less, there are costs associated with using them.

To join the presentation, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/FirstTuesdays. First Tuesdays is a free, online, monthly presentation from the Washington State Library, held from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PDT on the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/tuesdays.

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3) MORA AWARD APPLICATIONS DUE AUGUST 15

REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking, presents the Estela and Raúl Mora Award each year to the most exemplary program celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), also known as Día. The Mora Award consists of a $1,000 stipend, to be used to enhance future Día programs, and a plaque to be displayed by the winning library or school.

Application guidelines:

• The applicant and host of the Día program must be a library or school;
• Día programming must have taken place during spring 2011;
• The event must be literacy-focused;
• REFORMA chapters, library systems or schools/school districts employing current Mora Award committee members, and Día celebrations featuring author and award sponsor Pat Mora are not eligible to apply.

Applications must be received no later than August 15, 2011. For more information, go to www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/Mora.

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4) BUILD-A-BEAR GRANTS

The Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation is currently accepting applications for Literacy and Education grants. These grants provide direct support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education, and literacy programs for children with special needs. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000. The average grant awarded is $1,500.

Grant types funded:

• Individual Project grants – These grants are generally for one-time purchases or to fulfill a short-term need, such as the purchase of materials or books;
• Organization Program grants – These grants fund start-up or operational costs for ongoing programs, such as summer reading programs.

Applications for 2011 Literacy and Education grants are being accepted until October 28, 2011. For grant guidelines and the online grant application form, visit www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/bear.

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5) HOW TO SECURE FUNDING FROM FOUNDATIONS

Foundations can be great sources of funding, but approaching them may seem daunting to those not familiar with them. GrantStation will be offering a webinar, led by Judith Margolin, which will demystify the process of securing foundation funding.

Participants will learn:

• What foundations are all about, including the different types, how many there are, who runs them, and trends in foundation giving;
• What motivates foundations to give;
• How to determine why a foundation might, or might not, support their organization;
• What style of approach to use with different foundation types;
• How to determine your organization’s funding needs;
• How to find the best prospect;
• How to create and submit a winning grant proposal; and
• How to introduce your agency to a foundation.

Thursday, August 18, 2011, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PDT; Registration is required. Registration for one participant: $89.00; for up to 25 participants at a single location: $150.00. To register, go to www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/funding.

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6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK

Monday, August 1:

• Aiming for a Robust Metadata Infrastructure for the Future (ALCTS); 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. PDT;

Tuesday, August 2:

• First Tuesdays: The Bottom Line on Volunteers (WSL); 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. PDT;
• Introduction to the New ProQuest Platform (ProQuest); 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PDT: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/PQ95;
• Live Question and Answer Session on Cold Storage for Photographic Materials (Heritage Preservation/NPS); 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PDT; www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/cold.

For more information and to register (unless otherwise linked above), visit the WSL Training Calendar at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/training.

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