Preliminary LSTA Grant Category Ideas 2007

March 2006

Brief descriptive information for the following selected grant category ideas is included below. These ideas, and additional proposals that are suggested, will be considered by the LSTA Advisory Committee at its meeting on April 11-12, 2006.

Technology	Special Needs	Library Improvement
WISCAT	Adult, Family, and Early Literacy	Public Library Development
Library System Technology	Sensory and Mobility Disabilities	Economic Impact Study
Shared Integrated Library Systems	State Institution Library Coordination
Shared ILS Study for Schools
Digitization
Virtual Reference
Delivery
Reference and Loan
Public Library Development

TECHNOLOGY

WISCAT

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $670,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds will be used to subsidize the cost of the Wisconsin Resource Sharing and Information Access automated system (currently called WISCAT/WISCATILL) that will be procured by the Division during 2006. The Division plans to issue specifications to procure web-based products that include a union catalog, virtual catalog and federated search portal functionality, an interlibrary loan management system, and other associated functionality required to create and maintain these products. Funds will be allocated for staff, vendor contract costs, and other related costs. Some revenue for the project is anticipated from licensing library staff access to the products.

Library System Technology Projects

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $350,000 - $400,000
Eligible Applicants: Public Library Systems

Purpose: Funds will be distributed to public library systems using a formula with a base allocation of $2,500 per system and the remaining funds allocated on the basis of system area (33.3%) and system population (66.7%). The funding allocation to public library systems for this category is as follows:
(These are 2006 figures at $375,000 for the category.)

Arrowhead	$10,202		Mid-Wisconsin	$18,556		Southwest	$15,115
Eastern Shores	$12,050		Milwaukee	$40,631		Waukesha	$18,592
Indianhead	$36,326		Nicolet	$30,678		Winding Rivers	$24,098
Kenosha	$9,310		Northern Waters	$25,758		Winnefox	$20,520
Lakeshores	$15,429		Outagamie Waupaca	$14,642		Wisconsin Valley	$29,264
Manitowoc-Calumet	$9,013		South Central	$44,816		TOTAL	$375,000

1) Internet Access
Systems may apply for funding to provide direct Internet connections for a public library. Grant funds for this access may be used for hardware, software, telecommunications (including TEACH lines), routers, CSU/DSUs, installation, and ongoing fees charged by an Internet Service Provider. Grant funds may be used for staffing costs associated with staff and patron training in using the Internet, or systems may contract for such training or use volunteers, such as students. Other staffing costs are not eligible for funding. Grant funds cannot be used to support dial Internet access.

2) Shared Integrated Library Systems
Systems may apply for funding to

• enable public libraries to join an existing shared integrated system operated or coordinated by a public library system or merge two or more existing shared systems.
• enhance the network infrastructure of an existing automation system.
• license application software enhancements or upgrades for an existing automation system.
• enable public libraries to implement a new shared automation system. At least one of the participating libraries must be a public library system resource library, or the service population of the participating libraries must total at least 50,000 as reported in the 2003 Wisconsin Library Service Record. Any new system has to be approved by the library system and DLTCL. The online catalog of the new shared system must be available on the Internet, and the system must have the Z39.50 linking protocol fully installed and operational.

Grant funds may be used for hardware, software, telecommunications (including TEACH lines), data conversion/preparation, membership fees, and system or network upgrades (e.g., server upgrade, more software licenses) or implementing a new shared system. Staffing costs are not eligible for funding.

3) Other Technology Projects
Systems may apply for funding for the following: experimentation with electronic books, paying for adaptive devices, and information and training in using those devices, to assist patrons with disabilities in using technology, staff and patron training related to technology, paying for technology consulting and troubleshooting services for member libraries, system and library digitization projects, virtual reference service, distance learning equipment, online databases, web development or maintenance, network upgrades for the new BadgerNet Converged Network, or other innovative uses of technology. These projects must be consistent with the Wisconsin Library Technology Strategic Plan and the system technology plans.

Shared Integrated Library Systems

Noncompetitive: Estimated total expenditures: $275,000-$300,000
Eligible Applicants: Public library systems and public libraries

Purpose: Funds will assist public library systems in developing new shared integrated systems, adding libraries to existing shared systems, or merging shared systems.

Note: The LSTA Advisory Committee has recommended that 2007 be the last year LSTA funds be available for public libraries to join existing shared systems.

Criteria and Eligibility

Three types of grant requests are eligible for funding in this category.

1. Grants to enable public libraries to join an existing shared integrated system.
2. Grants to enable public libraries to implement new shared integrated systems.
3. Grants to enable public libraries to merge existing shared integrated systems.

• For libraries not now in a shared system: Only one grant can be submitted per library system, and the total grant cannot exceed $85,000 for any new or existing shared integrated system. For libraries with a service area population below 25,000, a maximum of $15,000 per library can be requested. For libraries with a service area population over 25,000, a maximum of $35,000 can be requested. Service area population is from the 2004 Wisconsin Library Service Record.
• For implementing new shared integrated systems: At least one of the participating libraries must be a public library system resource library, or the service population of the participating libraries must total at least 50,000 as reported in the 2003 Wisconsin Library Service Record. Any new system has to be approved by the library system and DLTCL.
• For merging shared systems: Only one grant can be submitted by a library system representing all of the integrated systems to be merged. Funding will be allocated based on the total number of libraries in the merged system. For 40 or fewer libraries in the merged system, a maximum of $50,000 can be requested. For more than 40 libraries in the merged system, a maximum of $75,000 can be requested.

Use of Funds
Grant funds may be used for hardware, software, telecommunications (including DOA TEACH datalines), data conversion/preparation, membership fees, and system or network upgrades specifically needed to support adding libraries to an existing automation system (e.g., server upgrade, more software licenses) or merging shared systems. Funds can also be used to purchase adaptive technology as described below. Staffing costs are not eligible for funding.

Grant Priority

1. If the funds being requested exceed the funding available, priority will be made as follows:
2. First priority: Grants to enable public libraries to join an existing shared integrated system. Within this priority, grants that serve the largest number of residents will receive priority.
3. Second priority: Grants to enable the merger of existing shared integrated systems. Within this priority, grants that serve the largest number of residents in the merged system will receive priority.
4. Third priority: Grants to enable public libraries to create new shared integrated systems. Within this priority, grants that serve the largest number of residents in the new system will receive priority. Any new shared system must be approved by the division.

Data on residents served will be determined by adding together all the grant libraries’ total service area populations as reported in the 2004 Wisconsin Library Service Record.

Libraries participating in a system grant must have at least one computer workstation that is adapted for use by patrons with disabilities (accessible desk, 19 inch monitor, screen enlarger/reader lke ZoomText5, keyboard and mouse cords longer than 2 feet).

Shared Integrated Library Systems Study for Schools

Noncompetitive; Estimated total expenditures: $15,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds will assist the division to conduct a study to determine the advantages, disadvantages, and costs of school media centers (1) joining an existing shared integrated public library system, or (2) developing a new shared integrated library system (i.e., formed by a CESA or other regional group). The study should also consider the impact of each option on regional and statewide resource sharing.

Digitization – Local Resources

Competitive; Estimated total expenditures: $25,000-$35,000
Eligible Applicants: Public libraries, public library systems, and state government agencies that have not previously received funding.

Purpose: This category will allow public library systems, libraries, and state government agencies to digitize historical resources that may be unique or of local interest. It is anticipated that the Division will award no more than seven grants. Public library systems may submit grants that incorporate materials selected from more than one library, and system staff is encouraged to assist libraries in the process of selecting materials and development of metadata. Public library systems applying for a continuation grant should include libraries that have not previously received funding.

Applicants awarded grants will be required to work with the Division and University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center (UWDCC – http://uwdc.library.wisc.edu)which will be responsible for scanning materials, creating metadata for text-based materials, formatting information for web display, and hosting the web site. Digitized materials will be placed on the web site as part of the UW-Madison Libraries’ State of Wisconsin Collection. Libraries and state government agencies will also receive high resolution copies for local use as a part of the project.

Libraries and state government agencies can apply for grants that are between $3,000 (minimum) and $6,000 (maximum) to pay for the costs associated with the work done by UW-Madison Libraries. Depending on what kinds of materials are being digitized, the cost could vary from $3.00-$8.00 per image. A briefing session will be held for potential applicants during the grant submission timeframe so that they can develop a more accurate budget and have a better understanding of how much time they will need to commit to the project. Training will be provided each applicant awarded a grant.

There is no specific fund matching requirement. However, applicants are expected to document in their grant that they can supply sufficient staff hours to attend training, select materials that have no copyright restrictions, develop metadata, and publicize the project to their community’s residents. With guidance from the UWDC, grantees will be required to create, descriptive metadata for each individual multimedia object (book, photograph, postcard, newspaper clipping, pamphlet, etc.) These materials will be presented using UWDCC’s SiteSearch model. Grantees will need to supply a single bibliographic or catalog record for books (local histories, plan maps, city directories). These materials will be presented using the UWDCC’s Electronic Facsimile or “pageturner” model. If possible, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) text will be created for all text-based materials. This facilitates full-text searching within the “pageturner” model. The quality of OCR results depends greatly on the print quality of the original item. In some cases, grantees may want to hand edit the resulting OCR text for maximum search results.

Virtual Reference Service

Non-competitive: Estimated total expenditures: $66,000-$70,100
Eligible Applicants: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds will be used to pay for a statewide contract for 24x7 coverage for virtual reference services in conjunction with the statewide Ask?Away program sponsored by Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS) in partnership with Wisconsin and other libraries. Libraries of all types will be able to participate by placing a logo on their website regardless of whether or not their library staff contributes time to the service.

Some LSTA funding for this project is expected to be provided through 2008. During this timeframe the service will be evaluated and a long-term funding model developed which may require that some or all of the costs be charged back to participating libraries.

Delivery Services

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $60,000 - $75,000
Eligible Applicants: Northern Waters Library Service; South Central Library System

Purpose: Funds will be used to provide a subsidy to Northern Waters Library Service for the cost of in-system delivery and the cost of connecting to the statewide delivery backbone network, and funds will be used to provide a subsidy for the statewide delivery backbone network operated by the South Central Library System.

Reference and Loan Library

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $643,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: This category funds the development, management, and use of technology to provide interlibrary loan and reference services; BadgerLink portal and full text database support services; the Wisconsin Document Depository Program, including access to electronic government publications through the state portal; and the operation and maintenance of Reference and Loan Library automated systems, including the circulation system.

Public Library Development - Technology

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $126,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds in this category are used to support the Public Library Development Team Technology Consultant position. This position provides statewide leadership for the implementation of technology in public libraries, provides support for LSTA library technology grant applications and projects, and serves as the liaison to the federal e-rate telecommunications program and the TEACH Wisconsin program for Wisconsin public libraries. It also coordinates the implementation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation public library grant program in Wisconsin.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Adult, Family and Early Literacy

Competitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $230,000-$250,000
Eligible Applicants: Public Libraries, public library systems, Department of Corrections. Public libraries may submit joint projects and systems may submit projects on behalf of multiple libraries in their system area.

Purpose: To promote and demonstrate the role of public and correctional libraries in improving literacy and reading skills for people having difficulty using libraries because of their educational, cultural or socioeconomic background.

General Requirements:
In general, LSTA funding is intended as start-up funding. If a project is a continuation or expansion of a previous project, applicants are required to justify the continuation or expansion using LSTA funds.

• No LSTA grant funds can be used for staff costs for these projects.
• After each of the program goals or objectives, applicants are required to cite the number of the goal or objective from either the Public Library Services for Youth with Special Needs: A Plan for Wisconsin or the Adults with Special Needs, as appropriate. Both documents are available on the DLTCL’s special needs web page.
• Book giveaways are discouraged because they rarely continue after the project ends and thus are not sustainable activities for libraries to continue on their own.
• Projects must involve other organizations and institutions that promote literacy in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the project. All literacy projects must include a marketing plan that targets people who do not use print or who do not read or speak English.
• All literacy projects must include the purchase of at least some GED preparation materials, unless the library can document it already has these materials. Print materials must have a copyright of 2002 or later to support the newest national GED tests. Subscription to an electronic GED preparation service or the GED videos offered by the Wisconsin Technical College Foundation meet this requirement. The videos have a 2001 copyright because they were produced in advance of the new tests.
• This category is not a general collection development or standards category. Book and tape combinations for elementary, middle and high school students with learning or other disabilities are permitted.

Grant Funds May be Used to

1. Promote early literacy by targeting children under the age of three, their parents and/or their caregivers. The projects target groups of parents who—are teens, use a language other than English in their homes, live in poverty, are incarcerated, or day care providers who care for children of these targeted parent groups. Collaboration with appropriate agencies is expected.
2. Initiate infant or toddler story programs if appropriate marketing to at least one of the targeted groups is included. Programs may include other non-targeted children. Funds can be used to purchase specialized furniture, play equipment, and resources designed specifically for use by children under the age of three.
3. Collaborate with other organizations in assisting the targeted parent groups and/or day care providers become more familiar with the importance of infant brain development and/or appropriate learning activities. Projects can include nutritional information.
4. Initiate outreach services at a location other than a library in collaboration with agencies already working with the targeted children such as day care providers or centers, schools, neighborhood centers, free clinics, homeless shelters or WIC programs. Schools designated as in need of improvement, or that have 80% or more of children receiving free or reduced lunches, Title 1, special education or English as a second language classrooms, and schools or camps serving children with special needs are all appropriate partners.
5. Initiate projects aimed at adults or at-risk teens who are in alternative high school programs, group homes, detention facilities, jails or prisons and are in need of literacy services.
6. Promote family literacy projects which address the needs of families in which an adult(s) is receiving literacy or English instruction.

People with Sensory and Mobility Disabilities, Including Seniors

Competitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $125,000-$135,000
Eligible Applicants: Public libraries and public library systems. Public libraries may submit joint projects and systems may submit projects on behalf of multiple libraries in their system area.

Purpose: To promote and demonstrate the role of public libraries in meeting the informational needs of people with sensory or mobility disabilities, including seniors.

General Requirements:
In general, LSTA funding is intended as start-up funding. If a project is a continuation or expansion of a previous project, applicants are required to justify the continuation or expansion using LSTA funds.

• No LSTA grant funds can be used for staff costs for these projects.
• After each of the program goals or objectives, applicants are required to cite the number of the goal or objective
• from either the Public Library Services for Youth with Special Needs: A Plan for Wisconsin or the Adults with Special Needs, as appropriate. Both documents are available on the DLTCL’s special needs web page.
• This is not a general collection development or standards category. The project must involve a way to determine specific materials that seniors, or other targeted groups most want and need at the library, especially if music or books on tape are involved. Funds can be used to assure delivery of the materials to people who cannot come to the library Periodicals of interest to seniors with special needs, and to other groups with disabilities, parents with children who have disabilities, and resources for family care givers are encouraged.
• All projects targeting seniors must include marketing materials printed in large print. Projects must include a provision to make a large-print version of their library card application form and to create a large-print brochure that describes their library’s services for people with mobility and sensory disabilities.

Grant Funds May be Used to:

1. Purchase library materials directly related to the needs and interests of people who have sensory or mobility disabilities. Projects may target family care givers.
2. Provide outreach services that target seniors with special needs, including those who are institutionalized or who live in housing which includes units for seniors with low incomes, and/or family caregivers caring for someone in their home. This can include start-up funding for home delivery services in collaboration with an agency such as Meals on Wheels, visiting nurses, hospice care agencies or other agencies that already visit seniors in their homes. The project may involve area middle schools and high schools as part of a service learning project in which the students provide services to seniors with special needs.
3. Purchase adaptive equipment that addresses sensory or mobility disabilities, including a sound system, magnification devices, equipment and software, wheeled carts, wheel chairs and other mobility aides for use in the library as long as these purchases are part of a larger project. A marketing plan for new equipment and other services the library offers people with special needs must be included. Open but practical access to the equipment must be addressed in the application. If adaptive equipment is purchased, at least one accessible computer workstation must be included, unless the library already has a workstation that is accessible. (accessible desk, 19 inch monitor, screen enlarger/reader like ZoomText, keyboard and mouse cords longer than 2 feet)
4. Retrofit an existing door, as part of a larger project that includes outreach activities, with an electronic door opener for a maximum of $5,000, if the building is otherwise accessible. (Grant funds cannot be used to offset new building construction costs.)
5. Promote programming for seniors that includes specific marketing to seniors with special needs and/or their caregivers or occurs at locations likely to include seniors with special needs—nursing homes, low income housing units for seniors, day care programs for seniors who have memory loss. Typically this would not be a local senior center, unless there are local circumstances that would indicate most seniors at the center programs have a special need, such as high poverty levels.

State Institution Library Coordination

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $25,000
Eligible Applicants: Department of Corrections

Purpose: Funds will support part of a position in the Department of Corrections that provides coordination of state institution library services in the Department of Corrections and the Department of Health and Family Services. Any LSTA funds used for travel can only be used for in-state travel expenses.

LIBRARY IMPROVEMENT

Public Library Development – Library Improvement

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $249,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds are used to provide partial funding for the position of Director of the Public Library Development Team and funding for the Public Library Youth and Special Services Consultant position. Funding also provides for administrative and coordination costs of the statewide summer library program and for statewide library advisory meetings.

Economic Development Impact Study

Noncompetitive; Estimated Total Expenditures: $50,000
Eligible Applicant: Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning

Purpose: Funds will be used to support a study that will provide clear data about the economic impact of taxpayer investment in Wisconsin’s public libraries. Such data will enable the Department of Public Instruction and the greater library community to more effectively communicate the value of public libraries to the public and to key decision-makers. Similar studies have been conducted in Florida and South Carolina, showing an average return of $5.51 on every $1 invested, but both of these states are demographically and economically dissimilar from Wisconsin. These states are also dissimilar when it comes to public library services. The latest National Center for Education Statistics rankings show that Wisconsin ranks among the top ten states in many service and collection measures, and these states most often rank in the lowest twenty states for services and collections. Income, expenditure, and staff levels also vary significantly. Consequently, it will be valuable to have findings specific to Wisconsin.

Return to LSTA Homepage

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Terrie Howe
LSTA Program Coordinator
Division for Libraries and Community Learning
Public Library Development
125 South Webster Street, P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-07841
(608) 266-2413
teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov

For questions about this information, contact Teresa D. Howe (608) 266-2413

Last updated on 2/25/2008 12:37:09 PM