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Project Grants

Awarded for more complex projects, Project Grants have locally defined outcomes that meet the grant program criteria. Generally, Project Grants award funding at a higher level than EZ grants.

The LSTA Annual Program sets criteria for Project Grants, and the State Library invites applicants to submit Letters of Intent (LOI). The LSTA Advisory Committee reviews the Letters of Intent and makes recommendations based on those criteria following preliminary review by State Library staff. If a library’s LOI is approved, then it is invited to submit a full application. State Library staff as well as peer reviewers evaluate full grant applications. The LSTA Advisory Committee reviews the applications and the reviewers’ ratings and makes its funding recommendations to the State Librarian.

Here is a summary of the Project Grants for 2003-2004, which require a Letter of Intent that is due November 22, 2002. Final, full proposals for libraries with approved Letters of Intent will be due February 20, 2003/

GRANT PROGRAM BY TOPIC		ELIGIBLE LIBRARIES	MAXIMUM REQUEST	MATCH REQUIREMENT
Technology / Automation
Automated System Grants Grants to local libraries to assist in purchasing automated library systems or system components to ensure that their systems meet certain key user access features from the “Minimum Standards for Library Automation in North Carolina”.		Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$75,000	25% of grant amount requested
Internet Infrastructure Improvement Grants Grants to assure that libraries have adequate infrastructure to provide well-managed user access to the Internet and to NC LIVE Resources. Sample projects: management of workstation and printing access, special equipment for training, and improvements to bandwidth.		Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$100,000	25% of grant amount requested
NC ECHO Digitization Grants Grants for digital technologies to improve access to the unique cultural holdings of North Carolina’s libraries, museums, archives and historical societies.		Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$50,000 for a single library; $75,000 for a collaborative project	10% of grant amount requested
Services / Programs
Hispanic Services Grants Grants to support implementation of library services and programs for Hispanic/Latino communities based on local needs assessments.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.		$50,000 ($100,000 for multi-library collaborative projects)	10% of grant amount requested
Powerful Partners Collaboration Grants Grants to support collaborative projects focusing on youth. Projects must be designed and implemented by community teams.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college. Public school libraries		$50,000	10% of grant amount requested

EZ Grants

With a simplified application process, EZ Grants are used for programs with clearly defined purposes and outcomes. The LSTA Advisory Committee sets criteria for each EZ Grant program as part of the Annual Program. State Library staff reviews applications and determines funding decisions based on those criteria. EZ Grants do not require a letter of intent, and applicants have the opportunity to appeal funding decisions to the LSTA Advisory Committee.

There are two subcategories of EZ Grants:

· EZ Grants: applications for this grant category use simple forms that require little information other than a basic description of project plans. Libraries are expected to describe plans that are consistent with grant guidelines in order to qualify for funding.

· EZ Expanded Grants: applications for this grant category require more extensive information about local needs and plans for using the funds.

Here is a summary of the EZ Grants for 2003-2004. Full information on these programs will be released on December 20, 2002, and applications will be due on February 20, 2003.

GRANT PROGRAM	ELIGIBLE LIBRARIES	MAXIMUM GRANT REQUEST	MATCH REQUIREMENT
Technology / Automation
Basic Equipment Grants Grants for computer hardware/software to ensure adequate user access to the Internet and NC LIVE resources, including workstations that provide access for people with disabilities.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$25,000	15% of grant amount requested
NC ECHO Digitization Starter Grants for basic equipment and training to help libraries “get started” with digitization of their primary research materials.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$8,000	None
Services/Programs
School Library Collection Development Grants Grants to provide assistance to school library media centers in building strong curriculum-related print collections that are accurate, current, and attractive.	Public school libraries	$10,000	100% of grant amount requested ($1 for $1)
Planning
Planning Grants Grants to support consulting assistance to help ensure effective planning for general programs/services and youth services planning.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$15,000	None
*LSTA Project Planning Grants* Funds assist libraries in planning for three grant categories (NC ECHO Digitization; Hispanic Services; and Powerful Partners Collaboration).	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college; public school libraries	$15,000	None
*Technology Planning Grants* Grants to support consulting assistance to help ensure effective planning for technology, including planning for integrated automated library systems.	Public & academic libraries, including public, private & community college.	$20,000 ($35,000 for multi-library collaborative projects)	None