COVID-19 Response Mini Grants
To assist North Carolina libraries in responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the State Library will provide LSTA funding to help libraries prepare to reopen to the public and adapt services to reduce the impact of COVID-19. This mini-grant program supports Goal One of North Carolina’s Five-Year Plan: Strengthening Capacity.
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 this program.
Funds
Maximum funds available to each library: $1,500.00 plus $500.00 for each library outlet (bookmobiles included). No matching funds are required for this program.
Allowable expenditures include:
- Protective supplies such as masks, face coverings, touchless thermometers, etc.
- Cleaning supplies such as sanitizing wipes, cleaning solutions, professional cleaning service, etc.
- Customer service and safety supplies such as signage, hand sanitizing station(s), supplies to support contactless services such as DIY self-check creation, etc.
- Digital inclusion supplies such as laptops, tablets, webcams, etc.
This list is not exhaustive, but this program is limited to providing supplies and services to help libraries limit the spread of COVID-19.
Unallowable expenditures include:
- Construction
- Subscription and on-going license fees
- Other expenses prohibited by state and federal regulations
Important Dates
- May 1, 2021: Application deadline. Applications will be awarded on a rolling, weekly basis. Agreements will be sent out electronically via DocuSign and, in most cases, all agreements can be completely signed online.
- Final date for expenditures is 10 weeks after the award is issued
- Reimbursement requests due 12 weeks after the award is issued
Reimbursement Information
- Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis
- Awarded funds are not CARES funds
- Eligible expenses will be invoiced, purchased and funds encumbered between the award execution date (once all parties have signed) and the final date for expenditures.
- If you are eligible for the sales tax refund under NCGS 105-164.14 you are not allowed to receive reimbursement for sales tax. The NC Dept. of Revenue will provide that refund as normal. If you are not eligible for the sales tax refund, sales tax is an allowable cost.
- Reimbursement requests should be submitted as a single request, if possible
Final Report
A Final Report will be required with a short narrative describing the benefit to staff and patrons.
Questions about this program should be directed to Catherine Prince, Federal Programs Consultant, at catherine.prince@ncdcr.gov.
LSTA grant awards are made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-246155-OLS-20).