Mohawk Valley Library System

Category: Grants & Awards

  • Grant Opportunity – Penguin Random House Grants for Small & Rural Libraries

    Penguin Random House and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) today announced a rolling grant program to recognize rural, small and tribal libraries that support underserved communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories.

    The program will award grants of up to $2,500 to libraries that demonstrate a true need. Grants are not limited to literacy and may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots that help community members access important information. In-kind donations will also be considered.

    Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, The Association for Rural & Small Libraries said, “Our nation’s small and rural libraries already faced so many challenges pre-pandemic. Those challenges have only become more urgent during the past year and a half. ARSL cannot thank Penguin Random House enough for recognizing the essential place our libraries hold in our communities, and stepping up to show real, practical support.”

    “The past couple years have been incredibly challenging for everyone, and we know rural areas have been especially hard-hit,” said Skip Dye, Senior Vice President of Sales Operations and Library Sales, Penguin Random House. “In these communities, libraries have been lifelines in countless ways, from serving as trusted sources for reliable information to providing access to important services and resources. We are honored to partner with ARSL to help elevate their impact.”

    Penguin Random House and ARSL have worked together to ensure the application process is simple and straightforward to remove as many barriers to applying for a grant as possible. For the award application and more information about the program, please visit the info page: https://www.arsl.org/prh-grant.

  • Grant Opportunity – Let’s Talk About It : Women’s Suffrage

    ALA has announced a new grant for libraries designed to spark conversations about American history and culture through an examination of the women’s suffrage movement.

    To qualify for this grant, the applying institution must be a library (public, tribal, school, academic, or special) residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Read the grant guidelinesand frequently asked questions.

    Through Let’s Talk About It (LTAI): Women’s Suffrage, participants will read a series of books curated by humanities scholars and discuss the people and events from this often under-taught part of U.S. history.

    Twenty-five libraries will be selected to receive a $1,000 stipend to support programming costs, ten copies of five themed books, access to programming guides and support materials, virtual training on the LTAI model, a suite of online resources and more.

    Applications will be accepted from September 1 to December 1, 2021. Library workers can apply online at ala.org/ltai.

    Please reach out to publicprograms@ala.org with any questions.

  • Grant Opportunity – Libraries Transforming Communities : Focus on Small & Rural Libraries

    Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) that seeks to provide community engagement resources and opportunities specific to the needs of library workers serving small and rural communities.

    Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students or partner organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community. 

    The goal of these grants is to:

    • Teach library workers facilitation skills, through the LTC: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries asynchronous six-part e-course and facilitation guide, to lead a community conversation
    • Provide flexible funding to support libraries’ community engagement efforts

    Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). It is supported by a private donor.

    Up to 100 libraries will be selected in this application period (June – September 2021). THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021.

    Libraries selected for funding will receive:

    • $3,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project
    • Professional development consisting of the LTC: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries asynchronous e-course and facilitation guide (required for all project directors)
    • A suite of online resources developed to support local programs including template press releases, social media messaging, logos, digital promotional materials and template letters that can be used to notify local leaders/officials about the library’s project.
    • Technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term, such as access to:
      • Online learning opportunities for grantees intended to assist project directors in promoting their conversation, completing grant reporting requirements and participating in evaluation
      • Community of practice for project directors and staff

    Visit http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/focusgrants for complete grant details.

  • Free Mini-Conference – Fundraising for Friends and Foundation Groups

    Date: Wednesday, June 09, 2021
    Time: 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
    Place: Online at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/18804361522
    Cost: Free

    COVID-19 caused many of us to have dramatic decreases in our fundraising efforts over the course of 2020 but it also provided an opportunity for most Friends and Foundation groups to pivot and completely revisit their fundraising and development strategies.  Join us for this virtual mini-con to hear about some of these strategies and programs.  It is our hope that you will be inspired to replicate an idea or two from our mini-con and build those budgets back up.  And the mini-conference is free!

    As an added bonus, New York Times Best-Selling author of “The Paris Library” Janet Skelsien Charles will be joining us live all the way from Paris, France!

    Registration is required, deadline to register is June 01.

  • Grant Opportunity – Sisters in Crime Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries Prize

    Libraries are the heart of their communities and play a vital role by inspiring lifelong learning and love of reading. This year, Sisters in Crime will make six grants of $500 each. All you have to do is upload a photo showing one or more of your staff, with 3 or more books in your collection by 3 or more different authors that are Sisters in Crime members. That’s it!  Click here for more information and a link to apply.