Improving Access to Information Grant Program (medium grants)

This LSTA grant program is designed to provide public and academic libraries with the opportunity to expand services for learning and access to information and/or to develop library services that provide all users access to information. The intent is to fund one-year projects that increase capacity to provide access to library collections and information. In a given fiscal year, the Library of Michigan will fund a limited number of grants that meet these priorities.

2019/2020 Grantees: Eastern Michigan University Library, Fowlerville District Library, Howell Carnegie District Library, Saint Clair County Library System, and Western Michigan University. The press release describes the projects.

GRANT PRIORITIES:

• Increase a library’s capacity to offer services & information in areas of literacy.
• Increase a library’s capacity to offer services & information in areas of local history or special collections.
• Increase a library’s capacity to improve access to information for community users with limited access.
   

Applicants may propose a project for any of the three priorities listed. Grants may be awarded to:

• Develop or increase the scope of literacy projects in the broad sense, such as early literacy, financial literacy, digital literacy, ESL, etc.;
• Develop or improve access to local history or special collections;
• Improve access to online information and services for users with limited access.
   

APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY:

Michigan public and academic libraries. Public libraries must be legally established and eligible for state aid at the time of application. Eligibility will be confirmed by the Library of Michigan.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY:

The Library of Michigan announces each fiscal year whether competitive grant funds are available. The grant period is one year (October - September) and funding is for $5,000 to $25,000 per year.

PROGRAM TIMELINE:

• Application Due Date  - Last Business Day of May
• Grants Awarded - August
• Grants Award Period - October 1 - September 30
   

APPLICATION WEBINARS:

• Improving Access to Information Grant Overview and Application
  • 2020 date TBA
  • 2020 date TBA

This manual has the information library staff need to complete their approved Improving Access to Information grant, including evaluation, reporting and reimbursements.

Application is by online form. The application questions are listed in the Improving Access to Information General Information and Application Information document above. Potential applicants should read this document before submitting an application. If you have further questions, you can participate in the application webinar before applying. The necessary certifications (CIPA and Board Resolutions) are included in the Grant Application Information document and are also posted above. Print and sign the certifications and submit them online within your application.

APPLY FOR A GRANT OR SUBMIT GRANT FORMS

1. Submit an Application - Closed for 2019/2020
    
2. Return to a saved application and/or submit a form.

Please contact Karren Reish at 517-241-0021 or reishk@michigan.gov with questions on the program.

Updated 08/26/2019