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Dragonfly, Winter 2001 Grant Funds Available for Native American Libraries

The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will award approximately $2,520,000 in grants to Native American libraries in 2001 - grants that are designed to help Native American libraries overcome challenges and improve services. Funds can support the use of technology to bring services to people in new and interesting ways, and can also support traditional library services in order to ensure access to all kinds of information.

The IMLS is currently accepting applications from Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages for Enhancement grants of up to $150,000 each. NOTE: applicants must have already applied for Basic grants this fiscal year to be eligible to apply for Enhancement grants.

The Enhancement category is a competitive one, for projects that enhance existing library services or implement new library services. The IMLS is particularly interested in projects that

• establish or enhance electronic links among or between libraries;
• link libraries electronically with educational, social or information services;
• help libraries access information through electronic networks;
• encourage libraries in various communities and of different types to establish consortia and share resources;
• pay costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies, and
• target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities.

The deadline for receipt of applications for IMLS Enhancement grants is May 1, 2001.

For those who did not apply for a Basic grant this fiscal year: the deadline for those has, unfortunately, passed. It was March 1, 2001. However, funds for these grants are likely to be available again next year, and the IMLS Web site states "IMLS deadlines are postmark dates that remain the same from year to year." This year, Basic grants were non-competitive and were distributed in equal amounts among eligible applicants. They were awards to support core library operations and ensure a minimum level of library service. More details about both the IMLS Enhancement grants and Basic grants are also available at http://www.imls.gov/grants/library/pdf/nat01app.pdf.

If you have an idea for an Enhancement grant, it's a good idea to discuss it with the IMLS Program Officer for Native American Library Services, Terri Brown. Terri can provide guidance regarding whether your idea would be appropriate for this program and help you interpret IMLS guidelines. You can reach Terri at (202) 606-5408 or tbrown@imls.gov. If you think you might want to apply for a Basic grant next year, consider contacting Terri to let her know. She might be able to put you on her mailing list and inform you when IMLS grant information for 2002 becomes available.

Remember, RML staff can also provide some assistance to you in preparing grant applications. We would be happy to review and discuss application drafts with you, not just for IMLS applications but for other funding applications as well. Just give us a call at (800) 338-7657 (from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington).

The Institute for Museum and Library Services is the agency in which all federal library funding programs are consolidated. For more information about IMLS, visit their Web site at http://www.imls.gov/.

URL: http://nnlm.gov/pnr/news/200101/imls.html