Adapting Technology

Purpose

The State Library of North Carolina is excited to announce Adapting Technology, a special grant opportunity for eligible North Carolina libraries. These funds will help libraries respond directly and immediately to community needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Adapting Technology grant program supports Goal One of North Carolina’s Five-Year Plan: Strengthening Capacity.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded the State Library this funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Law 117-2 (ARPA).  The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical need for equitable access to technology that cultivates learning within North Carolina’s communities and reduces disparities in access to knowledge and resources.

The Adapting Technology program invites applications that will allow for libraries to improve library operations through the purchase of technology that support efforts to enable libraries to reach residents, especially in support of education, health, and workforce development needs; and/or to respond to the pandemic and implement public health protocols.

Funds 

Maximum funds available to each library for the Adapting Technology grant is $40,000.00. No matching funds are required for this program.   At least $2.5 million is expected to be available for the Adapting Technology grant program.

Eligible libraries 

North Carolina public libraries eligible for the Aid to Public Libraries Fund, community college, UNC system, and North Carolina Independent College and University (NCICU) libraries may submit one application for an Adapting Technology Grant. 

IMLS Funding Priorities

IMLS directed that these funds be used to achieve the American Rescue Plan Act’s purposes in alignment with the goals of SLNC’s 5-year plan. This funding is to help communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic, as well as to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches. Spending priorities are designated as follows:

1. First, to support digital inclusion efforts to enable libraries to reach residents such as through internet hotspots, accessible Wi-Fi, and digital content and related resources, particularly in support of education, health, and workforce development needs. 
2. Second, to provide rapid emergency relief to libraries, allowing them to safely respond to the pandemic and implement public health protocols;
3. Third, to support library services that meet the needs of their communities
4. With respect to (1), (2), or (3), reach tribal and museum partners best positioned to assist with pandemic response efforts, where appropriate.

The following types of data, among others, can inform efforts to reach underserved populations:

• Economic Indicators, including but not limited to: 
  • Poverty rates  
  • Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) participation rates 
  • Unemployment rates  
• Broadband availability and adoption 

Important Dates 

• Two application deadlines
  • Round 1-Applications received by 11: 59 om December 1, 2021 will be reviewed and award decisions announced by December 17, 2021
  • Round 2-Application closes February 1, 2022 at 11:59 pm. Applications received between December 2, 2021 and February 1, 2022 will be reviewed and award decisions announced by February 18, 2022
• Grant period starts upon issuance of award and full execution of grant agreement
• Grant period ends June 30, 2022 
• Reimbursements due July 15, 2022 
• Final Report Due August 15, 2022

Criteria 

Only complete applications will be reviewed.  Complete applications include all required signatures and sections as described in the application instructions. Applications received after 11:59 pm on February 1, 2022 will not be considered.

Grant reviewers will score applications with a rubric, based on the below criteria, that will be used to evaluate project description, budget, and funding priority.

• Application includes a well-defined benefit or planned benefit to patrons demonstrating it is user-focused. Application makes a compelling case as to why the project is needed in the community.  
• Funds requested must be for reasonable, necessary, and allowable costs to achieve the project’s goals; the application should provide rationale to support how the proposed expenditures were determined and why each is needed to achieve the project goals.  
• First priority will be given to applications that focus on digital inclusion efforts. As funds allows, projects to address IMLS designated funding priorities 2 and 3 will be considered in that order.
• The number, type, and total dollar value of prior LSTA grants the library has received, or is presently involved in, may be a factor in selecting applications for funding in order to promote equity.
• All other factors being equal, the county distress rankings, as maintained by the NC Department of Commerce, may be a determining factor.

Allowable Expenses 

This grant supports the purchase of supplies and equipment with one-time costs and not for the purchase of supplies and services with on-going costs.  Costs that are on-going will need to be covered with other funds.

This list is not exhaustive.  If you have questions about supplies or equipment that are not on this list, please reach out to lsta@ncdcr.gov. 

Unallowable Expenses 

• Bookmobile/mobile libraries/outreach vehicles
• Consultant costs
• eMaterials, including eBooks, eAudio, and eVideo
• Subscription, software licenses, and warranty costs,
• Salaries, wages, and/or benefits
• Travel costs
• Activities or programs about advocacy, grant writing, or lobbying with a purpose of increasing funding and/or whose primary purpose is to establish a general message that 'libraries are good places and deserve to exist'; 
• Architectural plans for existing or new buildings; 
• Collection development activities, including electronic materials; 
• Construction or pre-construction planning; 
• Construction or renovation of facilities (generally, any activity involving contract labor in the construction trades is not allowable); 
• Conventional arrangement, description, or cataloging of materials; 
• Costs associated with content management systems (such as CONTENTdm); 
• Digitizing runs of newspapers; 
• Events, festivals, staff training, or acquisition of collections; 
• Fundraising costs; 
• General advertising or public relations costs not specific to LSTA-funded activities; 
• General operating support;  
• Ongoing expenditures such as subscriptions, utilities, Internet access, or other services ,
• Pre-award costs; 
• Promotional items and memorabilia including gifts, incentives, and souvenirs; 
• Refreshments, entertainment, ceremonies, receptions, or social events; 
• Sub-awards; and 
• Other expenses prohibited by state or federal regulations. 

Application

1. Be familiar with and understand the Guidelines and Application Instructions available online; contact the State Library with any questions.
2. Use the Application Form.  Note: this application is not being submitted through the GMS.
3. Upon submitting your application form you will get two emails.  The first will be from Formsite, and it will contain an unsigned copy of your application.  The second email will be from DocuSign.  You can use the DocuSign email to gather the signatures electronically by the deadline, or print the unsigned application from Formsite and gather physical signatures.  If you gather physical signatures, you must scan and email the fully signed application to lsta@ncdcr.gov by the deadline.  The application is not complete until both the Library Director and the Authorizing Official have signed.

For questions on this program please contact catherine.prince@ncdcr.gov