WebJunction Partner States Supporting Advocacy Efforts and Funding Needs
WebJunction Pennsylvania - Funding Resources & Contests
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Library Development maintains a running list of Funding Resources and Contents to keep public libraries in the state informed about current funding opportunities. This list is an amazing compilation of resources representing a wide variety of funding opportunties. Prepare for what's coming up in 2013 or review last year's offerings for a window into the possibilities of new grants for your programs.
Funding Resources and Contest 2013 and Past Resources and Contests 2012
WebJunction Idaho & WebJunction Washington - Turning the Page
The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) and the Washington State Library (WSL) were among the 30 participants in a Train the Trainer session for Turning the Page last November in Chicago. At this session attendees were provided the inside scoop of the program plus access to all the materials that have been developed and vetted by the Public Library Association in their five plus year campaign in advocacy via Turning the Page.
So Idaho in collaboration with Washington State Library, will be providing the Turning the Page six-week online course starting in early September and ending in October, 2013. Turning the Page 2.0 is the next generation of the successful Turning the Page program (2007-2010) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in conjunction with its Opportunity Online hardware grants program.
The overall goals of the program are to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources needed to create community partnerships, build alliances, and ultimately increase library funding. Topics covered include public perceptions, telling your story, leadership, building relationships, making the “Big Ask", and identifying next steps.
Together, Idaho and Washington will be recruiting participants from local library meetings this spring in their respective states and the Pacific Northwest Library Association meeting held in Boise in August. Jennifer Fenton, CE Coordinator, WSL and Shirley Biladeau, Continuing Education Consultant, ICfL, are looking forward to working with library staff and trustees from both states. They are also looking at how to fold in the content to OCLC's Geek the Library program to provide libraries access to funding for next step activities.
WebJunction Washington - Washington Libraries and Microsoft IT Academy
Imagine walking into your local public library, community college library, or tribal library and registering to take one of Microsoft’s IT course … for free!
Through a partnership with Microsoft, the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is seeking funding from the legislature which will be used to pay for the non-discounted portion of the cost of taking a Microsoft course. (Microsoft has discounted these courses by 90%.) It will also cover the cost for the Washington State Library to oversee the project.
The Washington Microsoft IT Academy will provide the people of Washington access without charge to a wide range of Microsoft online courses and learning resources through their local public, community college or tribal libraries. The IT Academy will also be available through the Washington State Library prison libraries. It is currently available through school districts, a project administered by the Office of Public Instruction. Course certification is also available but will not be covered by state funding.
“The Microsoft IT Academy delivered through Washington libraries is a no-brainer. The return on investment of state funds is astounding; an investment of $1.5 million will yield $44 million if Washington’s libraries were to pay full price. There will be no direct charge to people for IT training. Libraries are ready and capable of taking on this project. People are used to coming to their libraries for assistance,” notes Secretary of State Kim Wyman.
The ubiquity of libraries throughout the state, estimated at 472 outlets, and the recognized nature of libraries, to connect to their communities to improve the lives of citizens brings credence to this project model. The Washington State Library is a leader and facilitator among the library community and has decades of experience in managing statewide projects.
For more information on this project, please visit http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/projects/broadband/
Comments and inquiries can be sent to Rand Simmons, State Librarian at [email protected].
WebJunction Missouri - "Show me Steps" Grant
Missouri is called the “Show Me State” so the Missouri State Library often call our efforts “Show Me”. One of the grants that the Missouri State Library offer is the “Show Me Steps” grant. Anyone who is a library staff member at an academic, school, special, or public library in Missouri can complete an application to receive funding to attend a professional development opportunity. The application link and Information about Show Me Steps grant requirements is linked on Missouri’s WebJunction site.
Show Me Steps grants provide financial assistance for library staff and trustees to participate in continuing education and training opportunities when local funds cannot finance the entire cost. Continuing education events can be for individuals or groups, but must be pertinent to the operational or service needs of the applicant's library. For CE events for individuals, the maximum amount that may be requested is $2,500; the minimum amount is $500. For CE events for groups, the maximum amount that may be requested is $5,000; the minimum amount is $1,000.
These grants have been used by library staff to attend both conferences such as The Association for Small & Rural Library National Conference, ALA (American Library Association) National Conference, Internet Librarian, etc. and certification trainings.
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