NNYLN Project Grant

Grant Application 2011-12 (Word Document) Grant Application 2011-12 (PDF File)

The Northern New York Library Network has initiated a program of competitive Technology Service Improvement Grant program for its members. The purpose of this grant program is to assist member organizations in using technology to enhance user services, promote improved access to research resources, and demonstrate best practices that can be emulated by other organizations in the region.

Grant Guidelines:

 

1. Grant funds are to be used for demonstrable improvements in library services through the use of technology.

    

2. The minimum grant amount is $2,000; maximum is $10,000.

    

3. Grant funds for the digitization of research resources are specifically encouraged.

    

4. Grant funds may be used for computer software and licensing, technology consultants and outsourcing, electronic content, computer equipment, programming, and the development of library technology applications.

    

5. All projects must be sustainable: proposals must demonstrate the ability and commitment by the applicant to continue funded projects beyond the grant period.

    

6. Grant funds may not be used to pay for the normal operations of the library or replace current staff salaries with grant funds. No grant funds may be used for the retrospective conversion of library materials or continuation of library programs currently in place.

    

7. This is a competitive grant program that will use outside readers.

    

8. The timeframe for projects funded by this grant is October 1, 2011-June 30, 2012. Mid-year and final reports are required.

    

9. Completed Grant Applications are due at the Network office by August 15, 2011.

The purpose of the Northern New York Library Network Technology Service Improvement Grant Program is to assist member organizations in using technology to enhance user services, promote improved access to research resources, and demonstrate best practices that can be emulated by other organizations in the region. Here are a few examples of the kinds of projects that would qualify for consideration; this is not intended as an exhaustive list of eligible projects, but rather ideas to stimulate projects of local utility:

 

• First year costs of purchasing and profiling electronic catalog enhancements such as LibGuides, True Serials, or Library Thing.

   

• Equipment and consulting costs of implementing open source content management systems such as DRUPAL, JOOMBLA, or OMEKA.

   

• Service bureau costs of digitizing historic films and making them available on the Internet.

   

• Implementation of open content bibliographic management services such as Biblios.net

   

• Staffing and equipment costs to digitize historic photograph or map collections.

   

• First year costs of implementing streaming video and integrating it into the library collection.

   

• First year costs of ILLiad, Overdrive, Sky River, or other resource sharing technologies.

   

• Start-up costs for webcasting for library instruction or patron services.

   

• Digitization of a special collection, such as a set of scrapbooks, newspapers, yearbooks, or organizational archives.

   

• Digitization and transcription of an oral history collection.

   

• Costs of developing or acquiring mobile technologies for handheld devices that increase access library resources.

   

• Development of Social Networking applications for library users

   

• Equipment and consulting costs of implementation of Extensible Catalog (XC),Blacklight, VuFind, OpenBib or other discovery tools that integrate library resources.