Volume 5: Feb. 26, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) LIBRARIES AND THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT

2) MARCH FIRST TUESDAYS PROGRAM FEATURES VIRTUAL REFERENCE

3) LITERACY AND EDUCATION GRANT OPPORTUNITY

4) NEH PRESERVATION ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM CCAHA

5) TRUSTEE VIDEOS FROM THE WYOMING STATE LIBRARY

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Click below to see this week’s updates …

1) LIBRARIES AND THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT

The American Library Association Washington Office (ALA WO) recently announced a web site, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101, www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus, to help librarians understand the application of the “stimulus package” to libraries.

From the ALA WO February 19 District Dispatch: “On February 18, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memorandum to all federal agencies establishing requirements for how the agencies shall implement programs and activities funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The guidance contains a timeline and steps the agencies must take to ensure quick implementation of the ARRA. The guidance is intended to cover only the first phase of implementation of the ARRA. More detailed guidance covering a fuller range of items will be issued in 30-60 days.”

In brief this is how ALA WO sees the Act playing out:

$7.2 Billion for Broadband – Public libraries and community college libraries should be able to tap into $200 million in competitive grants for expanding public computer capacity. Additionally, this includes $650 million for DTV, of which $90 million may be used by organizations, including libraries, for education and outreach to vulnerable populations including one-on-one assistance for box installation.

$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund . $39.5 billion for education using existing funding formulas, can be used for preventing cutbacks, preventing layoffs, school modernization (school libraries will benefit from this), or other purposes and $8.8 billion for state fiscal relief for high-priority needs such as public safety and other critical services (including public libraries), renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities.

An additional $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program – This funding will provide community service jobs at nonprofit and public facilities, including libraries, for an additional 24,000 older Americans. The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a community service and work-based training program for older workers.

An additional $130 million for the Rural Community Facilities Program – The Rural Community Facilities Program is a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture. Community Programs includes the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program. These programs help develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.

Rand Simmons of WSL says: I want to emphasize that we at the Washington State Library are not experts in understanding how the stimulus funding will affect Washington libraries. We are learners, like you. We will continue to post information for the benefit of our customers as we learn more. And, we are actively seeking to learn more. While the ALA WO web site offers hope that the stimulus funding will benefit Washington libraries, it isn’t the last word. Please continue to monitor our Service to Libraries blog, blogs.secstate.wa.gov/libdev, and post your comments. Check out the ALA WO web site for a better understanding of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

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2) MARCH FIRST TUESDAYS PROGRAM FEATURES VIRTUAL REFERENCE

The First Tuesdays guest speaker on March 3, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. for an hour, will be Ahniwa Ferrari of the Washington State Library, discussing Virtual Reference. See www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/tuesday for a further description of the March session and for instructions on how to join in. The archived recordings of prior First Tuesdays are now available at the same site, with links to all earlier programs on the right side of the page.

First Tuesdays began as a service to small and rural libraries, but those from any library are welcome to take part. Branch staff should first check with supervisors. If you have never participated in any Wimba session, you will need to go through a quick set-up wizard first. For more information, contact Susan Barrett, [email protected] or toll free 1-866-538-4996.

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3) LITERACY AND EDUCATION GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., www.buildabear.com, is accepting grant applications as part of its annual giving program. Grant applications can be submitted through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation, www.buildabear.com/aboutus/community/grants, and the Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation, www.buildabear.com/aboutUs/community/BabwFoundation.aspx. Grants range between $1,000 and $10,000 each, with an average award amount of $2,500.

Among the grant types are those for Literacy and Education: Grants provide support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs, and literacy programs for children with special needs. Grant request deadlines are at the end of February, May, August, and November.

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4) NEH PRESERVATION ASSISTANCE GRANT FROM CCAHA

Through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Preservation Assistance Grant (PAG) Program, your organization can apply for up to $6,000 of funding for preservation assistance. The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is offering FREE grant application support to your grant writing team to help bring this important funding to you. For assistance with your grant application, contact Lee Price, CCAHA Director of Development: [email protected].

Eligible projects include:

· Preservation overview surveys, collection-level surveys or item-level surveys

· Long-term preservation plans

· Disaster preparedness and response plans

· Consultation to develop a plan to address a specific preservation problem

· Attendance at preservation workshops

· Purchase of preservation supplies, equipment and furniture

For more PAG Program information and eligibility requirements, visit the NEH grant site, at www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html site. Applicants will be asked to describe the nature and significance of their collection. Institutions that have never received a National Endowment for the Humanities grant are encouraged to apply. IMPORTANT: All applications for PAG must be submitted through www.grants.gov , the government-wide grants portal. For more information, visit www.neh.gov/grants. Application Deadline: May 14, 2009.

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5) TRUSTEE VIDEOS FROM THE WYOMING STATE LIBRARY

A set of short, humorous videos on helping new library trustees understand their job, produced by the Wyoming State Library, can be found at www.wyominglibraries.org/trusteetrouble.html. The ten videos, running from 6 to 12 minutes each, include follow-up questions for discussion. Wyoming recommends viewing one per month with your board.

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