Congratulations to the selected grantees for the Collaborative Library Services grants! The first year of the grant program is off to a great start. The Library of Michigan received 21 applications by the deadline of January 31st.
The applications were reviewed by the LSTA Advisory Council, made up of librarians from around the state and from a range of library types, as well as Library of Michigan staff. The selected grantees include four large grants and four small sponsorship grants.
For a description of the funded projects, please see below. Thanks to all the libraries who applied for their time, effort and great ideas.
- Dearborn Public Library – “Dearborn Public Library and Smartlocker™ -a Community-Based Initiative” - 3-year grant for $110,000.
The Dearborn Public Library will partner with Salina Elementary and Intermediate Schools to improve access to library material in this underserved, largely immigrant, community. A Smartlocker™ will be installed
at the Salina School Community Center that students and community members will be able to use to get public library materials. The project includes training and outreach for community residents. The goal is to provide community access to library material for
education and entertainment, opening the doors of knowledge and lifelong learning.
- Jackson District Library – “Project BRIDGE (Building Relationships in Diverse Generational Experiences)” – 2-year grant for $150,000.
Project BRIDGE will supplement the traditional outreach program to homebound patrons and care centers with innovative services for citizens living independently or in residential facilities. Project BRIDGE is a
multi-pronged approach to serve these patrons, their families and caregivers by offering: Connections (a special collection of materials for memory impaired individuals), JDL on the Road (a series of special programs tailored to the interests of older adults),
Music and Memory (providing iPods with personalized music selections to memory impaired participants), Reminiscence Kits (program kits designed to stimulate conversations and memories), and TimeSlips (a program using group storytelling to enhance the lives
of people with dementia).
- Wayne State University Libraries – “Discovering Michigan History” – 2-year grant for $161,747
Discovering Michigan History will model and establish pathways to share cultural content from Michigan libraries, archives, and museums via digital platforms to the public, educators, and the Digital Public Library of America. The
project aims to advance Michigan’s digital collections, serving as a catalyzing set of activities in three areas: digital collection creation and hosting, digital discovery, and curricular development. WSU will work with LGBT Detroit, The Arab American National
Museum, and the Burton Collection at the Detroit Public Library to share their content.
- Ypsilanti District Library – “Texting and Learning for Kindergarten (TALK)” – 3-year grant for $175,000
As a young mother nurses her 7-month-old, she gets a text message from the library suggesting a nursery rhyme to sing. Smiling, she hums a tune, knowing this sweet, simple moment will help her baby succeed in school and in life.
Many parents are unaware that their daily interactions can prepare children for success. To meet parents where they are, libraries in Washtenaw County will develop a text messaging service for families with children age 5 and under. New partnerships with libraries,
preschools, service agencies, and the Sheriff's Office will ensure that the service reaches low-income residents, parents with limited literacy skills, and other underserved groups.
Sponsorships
- Friends of Michigan Libraries - Support for continuing education workshops for library trusteees – 1-year grant for $2,500
- Michigan Academic Library Association - Support for continuing education workshops for library staff – 1-year grant for $2,980
- Michigan Library Association – Support for continuing education workshops for library staff – 1-year grant for $5,000
- The Library Network – Support for the statewide Michigan Activity Pass program – 1-year grant for $5,000
Funding availability for the 2018 grant program will be announced in Fall of 2017. If you would like more information about the LSTA Collaborative Library Services Grant program, please go to
www.michigan.gov/lsta or contact me at
reishk@michigan.gov or 517-241-0021.
Karren Reish
Library Grants Coordinator
Library of Michigan
517-241-0021
Each April, Michigan celebrates the Month of the Young Child®. Go to
www.miaeyc.org to learn more.
