Library Project Funding

Managers and staff in libraries and information services in all sectors are increasingly required to prepare project proposals and bid for funding, usually for external funding, but also as part of internal strategic planning and management processes. The projects proposed must be realistic and feasible, because library managers and staff will be required to deliver their project on time and in budget. If managers get the planning wrong at project proposal stage, the consequences for implementation can be difficult to overcome. This book provides guidance on the various steps involved in project development, planning and the preparation of bids for funding based on the author’s own experience and that of many organisations in the cultural heritage and education sectors. It guides service managers and staff through the task of scoping, developing and writing viable, realistic and winning proposals, drawing on a range of techniques from strategic planning, financial management, project management and business. Uses practical, up-to-date examples relevant to the cultural heritage sector Different methodologies: for example - preparing business plans, evaluation; planning cost and time/effort inputs Templates and checklists for writing effective proposals

This all-in-one resource for researching library and school grants is back in a new edition, and more useful than ever, offering refreshed content and even more guidance on locating grant funding sources. Using this guide, librarians, fundraisers, and researchers will find quick, convenient access to information on the most likely funding sources for libraries, including private foundations, corporate foundations, corporate direct givers, government agencies, and library and nonprofit organizations. Edited by Nancy Kalikow Maxwell, a grant writer with 35 years of experience, this edition includes more than 200 new entries, as well as A detailed introduction explaining the concept of “grant readiness” and walking readers through the steps of preparing their institution for a grant project, including strategic planning, conducting a needs assessment, and identifying potential partners Guidance on the most effective ways to use the directory, with an explanation of inclusion criteria and data elements Multiple indexes for finding the right information fast A new section covering grant-related organizations and sources, to aid readers looking for grant writers or grant development assistance The challenge of “finding the money” will be made easier with this guide’s clear and comprehensive information.

As the saying goes, all politics is local. And 90% of funding for public libraries comes from the will of local politicians and, in turn, from local voters. So it's urgent that librarians, library supporters, and anyone interested in running an election or campaign for a library understand the strategies, resources, and tactics necessary for positive political action. Whether election day is four months away or four years away, there are immediate steps library leaders and local library ballot committees should take to help secure a successful ballot initiative later. Written by two experienced library campaigners, this action-driven manual for anyone running a political campaign for libraries dives into proven successful campaigning techniques for rural, suburban, and urban settings;expert analysis on how political perceptions are formed, how political power works, and ways libraries can reach funding or political goals;starting the discussion internally;the right approach to setting up the committee structure, and identifying the core leadership team for the committee;tips on networking, cultivating good relationships with the power players in the community, and building a winning coalition;canvassing and direct voter contact;responding effectively to opposition, including voters who habitually resist taxes or library funding increases;the differences between paid media and earned media; andbest practices for marketing and message development, fundraising, volunteer engagement, and other key areas. Filled with easy to follow strategies, this book will guide ballot committees, librarians, trustees, and library advocates through the process of winning an election for funding their library. LIS students will also benefit from the early exposure to political literacy skills provided by this book.

"The Public Library Funding Technology Access Study assesses public access to computers, the Internet and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, and the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment and sustainability. The study builds on the longest-running and largest study of Internet connectivity in public libraries begun in 1994by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure." "This comprehensive report provides information that can help library directors and library IT staff benchmark and advocate for technology resources in communities across the nation. The data also are of importance for policymakers at local, state and federal levels, manufacturers of information and communication technologies, and the communities served by public libraries." "The 2007-2008 report provides data from thousands of rural, suburban and urban libraries in every state; information provided by state library agencies; and feedback from focus groups and site visits in NewYork, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia."--BOOK JACKET.

Let’s be blunt: library funding is political. And the struggle to secure funding is ongoing; the work that librarians need to do to influence local politics doesn’t just pop up in the few months before Election Day. It should span the years before or between elections. The authors’ previous book Winning Elections and Influencing Politicians for Library Funding targeted library ballot committees and advocacy organizations. But their new book speaks directly to librarians, library staff, and boards. It is designed to help library leaders understand and navigate the political nature of their work in the years leading up to a ballot measure or political initiative. Sharing the tools and tactics developed by their organization EveryLibrary, the nation’s first and only Political Action Committee for Libraries, in this book they discuss how the day-to-day work of librarians, their communications with the public, and their roles and responsibilities in the community can help increase the willingness of public and local elected officials to support funding libraries through taxes; guide readers through the practical side of running a public-facing Informational Communications Campaign for their library before Election Day; explain the concept of surfacing, the important groundwork of occupying a strong and positive space in the community during the years before and between ballot measures; demonstrate why surfacing is one of the most crucial steps a library can take to build and maintain support; share the most recent data insights into voter attitudes about libraries and librarians; show how libraries can coordinate internally to build new external partners; offer advice on finding, activating, and holding onto supporters; and discuss the path to the ballot with practical insights about how to get onto the ballot. This essential resource is filled with concrete steps that librarians, library staff, and boards can take to ensure that political support is there when they need it the most.

This all-in-one resource for researching library and school grants is back in a new edition, and more useful than ever, offering refreshed content and even more guidance on locating grant funding sources.