Please see below for a grant opportunity for children's materials. Deadline is 8-15-2013. Karren Reish Library Grants Coordinator Library of Michigan 517-241-0021 reishk@michigan.gov<mailto:reishk@michigan.gov> Libri Foundation Books for Children Type: Foundations Source: Libri Foundation Program: Libri Foundation Books for Children Eligibility: Only libraries within the 50 states are eligible to apply. The Libri Foundation does not offer grants to libraries outside of the United States. Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department. Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system. A library system may also apply if all the libraries in the system meet these requirements. Applications are accepted from school libraries only if they also serve as the public library (i.e. it is open to everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town). A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural. If the branch library receives its funding from its parent institution, then the parent institution's total operating budget, not just the branch library's total operating budget, must meet the budget restrictions. Please note: Town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 and county libraries with total operating budgets over $350,000 are rarely given grants. The average total operating budget of a BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grant recipient is less than $40,000. Purpose: The Libri Foundation Was Established In 1989 For The Sole Purpose Of Helping Rural Libraries Acquire New, Quality, Hardcover Children's Books They Could Not Otherwise Afford To Buy. Since October 1990, The Foundation Has Donated Over $5.25 Million Worth Of New Children's Books To More Than 3,000 Libraries In All 50 States. The Foundation Supports The Concept That Children Who Learn To Enjoy Reading At An Early Age Continue To Read Throughout Their Lives. In Order To Develop A Love Of Reading, Children Must Have Access To Books Which Stretch Their Imaginations, Touch Their Emotions, Expand Their Horizons. For Many Children In Rural Areas, The Local Public Library Is Often Their Primary Source Of Reading Material. Many Rural Schools Either Have No Library Or The Library Is Inadequate To Meet The Needs Of The Students. At A Time When More And More Children And Their Parents And Teachers Are Using The Public Library, These Same Libraries Are Facing Increasing Financial Hardships And Are Unable To Buy The Books Their Young Readers Need. The Foundation Works With The Library's Friends Of The Library Or Other Local Organizations Because We Believe In Community Involvement And Want To Encourage And Reward Local Support Of Libraries. The Friends, Or Other Local Sponsors, Can Contribute From $50 To $350 Which The Foundation Matches On A 2-to-1 Ratio. Thus, A Library Can Receive Up To $1,050 Worth Of New, Quality, Hardcover Children's Books Through The Foundation's BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Program. The Local Librarian, Familiar With The Needs Of The Library And The Community, Selects The Books The Library Will Receive From The Foundation's 700-title Booklist, Which Has Been Highly Praised By Participating Librarians For The Quality And Variety Of Fiction And Nonfiction Titles Offered. The Majority Of Books Have Been Published Within The Last Three Years, But Old Favorites Are Also Offered. All Of The Books Have Been Highly Recommended By Recognized Authorities In The Library And Education Fields. The Books Donated Through The BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Program Are Used For Storytelling; Toddler, Preschool, And After-school Programs; Summer Reading Programs; "book Buddy" Programs In Which Older Children Read To Younger Children; Holiday Programs; Teacher Check-out And Curriculum Support; Early Childhood Development Programs; School Projects And To Just Provide Children With A "good Read." Deadline: 08-15-2013 Award Min: $0.00 Award Max: $1,050.00 Quantity: Unknown Period: One year. Additional Information: Please address all correspondence to: Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President. The Libri Foundation P.O. Box 10246 Eugene, OR 97440-2246 phone: 541-747-9655 fax: 541-747-4348 email: libri@librifoundation.org<mailto:libri@librifoundation.org> Website: Website<http://www.librifoundation.org/index.html>