StoryCorps @ your library (SCL)

StoryCorps @ your library (SCL), is a two-year program created by the American Library Association (ALA) in partnership with StoryCorps, funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, designed to encourage multi-format public programming on broad themes of oral narrative, and local and family history that may be tailored to specific locales, holidays, or heritage months. This project will serve public libraries as they seek to expand their influence and capital in their communities by connecting them with the powerful resources and branding available through a StoryCorps partnership.

Details are on the SCL website. Applications will be accepted December 8, 2012, through January 18, 2013 from public libraries, public library systems, and consortia.

ALA and StoryCorps will select ten pilot sites, determined by their level of interest and ability to successfully carry out the project, with an eye toward geographical and demographic diversity.

Libraries chosen to participate will receive a $2,500 stipend, promotional support materials, professional recording equipment, in-person training for library staff and volunteers, and tools to offer their patrons a fully facilitated StoryCorps interview experience as well as access to significant StoryCorps edited content.

As part of the StoryCorps approach, each interview participant receives a copy of their recording. With participant permission and based upon a written agreement with StoryCorps, local libraries will retain copies of fully released interviews. Copies of fully released interviews will also be deposited with the Library of Congress.

IMLS Sparks! Ignite grants

Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums ("Sparks Grants") are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants program. These small grants encourage libraries, museums, and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. 

Maximum Grant:  $25,000; Deadline:  February 1, 2013

Sparks Grants support the rapid prototyping and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. You may propose activities or approaches that involve risk, as long as the risk is balanced by significant potential for improvement in the ways libraries and museums serve their communities. Sparks grantees are required to submit a short white paper with the results of their work to be publicly posted and shared with the field.

Examples of activities that may be funded by this program include, but are not limited to:

* rapid prototyping and testing of new ways to engage learners
* offering innovative new types of services or new service options
* exploring the potential of highly original, experimental collaborations
implementing new workflows or processes with potential for substantial cost savings
* addressing community challenges through new types of partnerships, services, processes, or practices
* developing and testing new tools or services that facilitate access, presentation, management, preservation, sharing, or use of museum and/or library collections

IMLS National Leadership Grants

The Institute of Museum and Library Services' National Leadership Grants support projects that have the potential to advance museum, library, and archival practice. The Institute encourages grant proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st century communities, citizens, and workers. Proposals should address key needs and challenges that face libraries, museums, and archives. Successful proposals will be innovative responses to these challenges and will have national impact.

Deadline: 2/1/2013

If tradition holds, look for guidance webinars with National Leadership Grants Staff in January, 2013.

2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards

The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is accepting applications for the 2012 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards.


The twelve winning programs will receive $10,000 and the opportunity to accept their awards from First Lady Michelle Obama, the President’s Committee’s Honorary Chairman, at a ceremony at the White House. In addition, winners will receive an award plaque, the opportunity to attend the Annual Awardee Conference in Washington, DC in the summer of 2012, and recognition on the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award Web site.

Afterschool and out-of-school time arts and humanities programs sponsored by museums, libraries, performing arts organizations, educational institutions, arts centers, community service organizations, businesses, and eligible government entities are encouraged to consider submitting an application. Programs applying for the award must meet all of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards eligibility criteria.

Completed applications will only be accepted via the online process. No hard copy materials will be accepted. The deadline for application submissions is Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 5:00 p.m. EST.

Prospective applicants with questions should e-mail info@nahyp.org or call 202-682-5571.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

IMLS National Leadership Grants

The Institute of Museum and Library Services' National Leadership Grants support projects that have the potential to advance museum, library, and archival practice. The Institute encourages grant proposals that promote the skills necessary to develop 21st century communities, citizens, and workers. Proposals should address key needs and challenges that face libraries, museums, and archives. Successful proposals will be innovative responses to these challenges and will have national impact.

Deadline: 2/1/2012

Next webinar with National Leadership Grants Staff: Wednesday, January 4, 2012, 2PM – 3PM Eastern.

Sparks! Ignition grants from IMLS

As noted on the ‘Additional Grants’ site, the Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants program. The next due date is February 1, 2012.

These grants of up to $25,000 encourage libraries, museums, and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide.

Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. You may propose activities or approaches that involve risk, as long as the risk is balanced by significant potential for improvement in the ways libraries and museums serve their communities.

Successful proposals will address problems, challenges, or needs of broad relevance to libraries, museums, and/or archives.    

Past awardees have interesting sounding projects; North Carolina is developing an open source software tool, Texas is creating an online repository where student-created book reviews, reports, and promotional videos can be accessed online across all school libraries through the district's catalog system, and Seattle is implementing an interactive tool designed to cultivate teens as active contributors to, rather than passive consumers of, popular culture.