Part I: The Grant Process Cycle

Chapter 1. Making the Commitment and Understanding the Process

Overview of the Grant Process Cycle

Implications to Consider

The Importance of Partnerships and Collaborations

Making the Commitment

Increase Your Odds       

Additional Benefits                                

Chapter 2. Planning for Success
      Strategic Planning

Creating a Strategic Plan

Common Plan Elements

      Vision Statement

      Mission Statement

Organizational Values

      Community & Library Profiles

      Needs Assessment

      Library Service Responses

      Goals

      Objectives

      Activities

Monitor and Update the Strategic and Project Plans

Exemplar Library Strategic Plan

Chapter 3. Discovering and Designing the Grant Project

Project Planning Process

            Step 1: Clarify Your Library’s Goals, Objectives and Activities

            Step 2: Pull Together a Project Planning Team

            Step 3: Start the Project Planning Process

            Step 4: Discover the Project Idea and Goals

            Step 5: Define Project Outcomes

            Step 6: Plan Your Project

            Step 7: Develop Project Objectives

            Step 8: Define Project Action Steps

            Step 9: Consult Previous Projects, Best Practices, and Similar Projects

            Step 10: Make a Project Timeline

            Step 11: Develop a Project Budget
            Step 12: Create an Evaluation Plan

Chapter 4. Organizing the Grant Team

Overview

Selecting the Grant Team Members

      Possible Team Member Titles

      Responsibilities of Each Team Member

            Hiring a Professional Grant Writer or Researcher

            Using Volunteers

            Team Members Skills

      Grant Team Meetings

            Fundamentals of Teamwork

            Initial Informal Meeting

            The First Team Meeting

Ongoing Grant Coordinator Responsibilities

Implementation

Chapter 5. Understanding the Sources and Resources

Types of Funding Sources

      Government Funding Sources

      Private Funding Sources

                  Foundations

                  Corporations

                  Clubs and Organizations

                  Professional Associations

Resources for Finding Grant Opportunities

      Government

      Private

Local Funding Directories

Resources for Library Projects

Chapter 6. Researching and Selecting the Right Grant

Internet and Library Research

Different Kinds of Grants           

      Researching Government Resources

      Researching Foundation Resources

      Researching Corporate Resources

Publications, electronic discussion lists, blogs and alert services

Local Resources

Chapter 7. Creating and Submitting the Winning Proposal

Overview

Writing Style

Project Partners and Collaborators

Applying to Multiple Funders

Reviewers

Contacting the Funder

Specifications

Types of Proposals

Key Proposal Components

            Title Sheet

            Cover Letter

            Table of Contents

            Proposal Summary

            Organizational Overview

            Statement of Needs

            Project Description

            Approach/Methodology

            Budget Request

            Evaluation Process

            Appendix

Grant Proposal Checklist

Submitting Your Application

Grant Submission Checklist

Follow-up

Chapter 8. Getting Funded and Implementing the Project

After You Submit Your Application

Your Project Gets Funded

What To Do When Your Proposal Is Not Funded

            The Most Common Reasons Grants are Turned Down

            Taking the Next Steps: Implementing the Project

Chapter 9. Reviewing and Continuing the Process

Debrief and Review

Participate in Ongoing Professional Development

Foster Partnerships

Subscribe to Current Awareness Services, Electronic Newsletters, and Online Discussion Groups

Search the Web and Visit Blogs

Join Groups and Associations

Keep Up To Date with Your Strategic Plan and Project Plan

Chapter 10. Answering Five Essential Questions

Does your library have the capacity to implement and support this project?

How will this grant make an impact?

Is your project sustainable?

Do you have real relationships with funders and partners?

How will you know that you’ve been successful?

Part II: Library Grant Success Stories 

1. Listening to the Desert:  Living in Harmony with Xeriscape Landscaping

Glendale Public Library: Glendale, Arizona

2. Bridging the Gap

Athens Regional Library System: Athens, Georgia

3. Slammin' Jammin' Poetry

Des Plains Public Library: Des Plains, Illinois

4. Laurelton Library Youth Empowerment Initiative

Queens Borough Public Library: Laurelton, New York

5. Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation

Highland Park Public Library: Highland Park, Illinois

6. A Collage of Cooperation

Clermont County Public Library: Batavia, Ohio

7. Improving Student Success through Strengthening Library Collections, Archives, and Information Competence

Oviatt Library - California State University: Northridge, California

8. Holiday and Themed Books for Daycares

Dubuque County Library: Farley, Iowa

9. Library Expansion and Renovation

Clear Lake Public Library: Clear Lake, Iowa

10. Perspectives: Inside/Outside

Haines Borough Public Library: Haines, Alaska

11. The Maine Experience

Lawrence Junior High Library: Fairfield, Maine

12. Training and Equipment Enhancement

Northeastern University Libraries: Boston, Massachusetts

13. New Literary Borders & Boundaries: A Semi-Permeable Layer?

Harriet Cheney Cowles Memorial Library – Whitworth College: Spokane, Washington

14. Preserving Littleton's Legacy

Reuben Hoar Library: Littleton, Massachusetts

15. Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library (NOVEL)

Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library – University of Utah: Salt Lake City, Utah

16. NOWalls

Center for Development and Disability – University of New Mexico: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Part III: The Grants for Libraries Tool Kit and CD-ROM

A. Tools for Chapter 1: Making the Commitment

     Tool A-1: Worksheet: Grant Partnership Agreement

     Tool A-2: Checklist: Making the Commitment 

B. Tools for Chapter 2: Planning for Success

      Tool B-1: Checklist:  Library Planning

      Tool B-2: Links: Library Strategic Plans

C. Tools for Chapter 3: Discovering and Defining the Grant Project

     Tool C-1: Template: Strategic Plan Goals, Objectives and Activities

     Tool C-2: Worksheet: Project Planning

     Tool C-3: Template: Project Action Steps

     Tool C-4: Template: Project Timeline

     Tool C-5: Template: Personnel Budget

     Tool C-6: Template: Non-Personnel Budget

     Tool C-7: Template: Evaluation Plan

D. Tools for Chapter 6: Researching and Selecting the Right Grant

     Tool D-1: Tool Worksheet: Keyword Selection

     Tool D-2: Worksheet: Funder Summary

     Tool D-3: Links: Funding Resources for Libraries

E. Tools for Chapter 7: Creating and Submitting the Winning Proposal

    Tool E-1: Checklist: Questions For Funders

    Tool E-2: Template: Grant Proposal

    Tool E-3: Checklist: Grant Proposal

    Tool E-4: Checklist: Grant Submission

    Tool E-5: Example RFPs and Grant Announcements
            Tool E-5.1 Common Grant Application

            Tool E-5.2 Corporate Grant Application
            Tool E-5.3 Foundation

            Tool E-5.4 Government

    Tool E-6: Example Grant Proposals   

            List of Example Grant Proposals   

            Tool E-6.1 Glendale Public Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.2 Des Plains Public Library Proposal    

            Tool E-6.3 Highland Park Public Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.4 Dubuque County Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.5 Northeastern University Libraries Proposal

            Tool E-6.6 Harriet Cheney Cowles Memorial Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.7 Reuben Hoar Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.8 Lawrence Junior High Library Proposal

            Tool E-6.9 Exemplar Library Proposal

F. Grants for Libraries Bibliography

G. Grants for Libraries Glossary

Index