How to Write an LSTA GrantHow to Write an LSTA GrantApplications for 2010Applications for 2010

April 30, 2009

Pennsylvania School Librarians AssociationPresented by

Debra E. Kachel, Mansfield Universityand

Nancy L. Henry, Ephrata Middle School

Workshop ObjectivesWorkshop Objectives

K-12 grant categories – 1. Info. Literacy/Laptops 2. Collection Development 3. Dual Enrollment Outcomes and Evaluation Practical Advice Q & A time with PDE

officials

Library Services & Technology Act

Federal funds administered by Commonwealth Libraries

Available for all types of libraries

Competitive; one-year Specific criteria outlined

for each type of grant & library

Due Sept. 11, 2009 Awarded in Feb. 2010

Pennsylvania LSTA Funding History K-12 Grants

Two Major LSTA Grants That Apply to School Libraries

Information Literacy – $30,000 for a single library to

purchase a laptop lab to integrate info literacy with classroom instruction

Collection Development – $5,000 per library in a district

for print materials to support a PA Academic Standard area

Eligibility for All K-12 LSTA GrantsEligibility for All K-12 LSTA Grants

Any type of school library—public, private, parochial

Must have an existing library and a certified library media specialist

Must have a line item budget for the library collection

Must participate in the ACCESS PA database project & POWER Library

Must comply with CIPA/ Acceptable Internet Use Policy

Must collaborate with teachers to integrate information literacy skills & instruction

Library media specialist must be involved in the preparation of the grant

Grant money may not supplant local funds

Information Literacy GrantInformation Literacy Grantaka “The Laptop Lab Grant”aka “The Laptop Lab Grant”

Wireless laptop labWireless laptop lab Approx. 25 laptops , cart, LCD projector, & supplies up to $30,000

Purpose – To teach information literacy skills; part of the library program; under the direction of a school library media specialist

New: Address AASL’s Standards for the 21st Century Learner

Instructional Role of the Librarian and Collaboration with Teachers 25 pts

Wireless Laptop Lab Wireless Laptop Lab ApplicationApplication

Applies to one school in a district; may reapply after 5 yrs.

Only one school per district may apply

In collaboration with teachers Info literacy skills integrated

with classroom content Address the AASL Standards

for the 21st Century Learner Documentation & student

outcomes

Laptop Application must include:

Background infoBudget, books per student, collection age

Letter signed by Superintendent, Principal &

Librarian

Staffing & HoursFTE at that schoolIf 4 days out of a 6-day cycle=.67Or, total hours worked in that school in a

week divided by the hours in the workweek

Ratio of LMS: students (.5 LMS to 500 equals 1:1,000 ratio or .5:500)

Laptop Application must include:

CollaborationLMS & teacher must be present during

activitiesPlanning with teachers; % involvedACCESS PA & POWER LibraryPublic Library cooperation

Planned ActivitiesTie to info literacy & academic

standards

Evaluation plan Includes student outcomesDocuments laptop use

Kachel’s Examples for the Laptop Grant

Abstract

ActivitiesCollaboration/

Integrated Units ChartsEvaluation Plan

Refer to Handout-”Tips for Writing LSTA Grants”

Evaluation Criteria – Info Literacy Evaluation Criteria – Info Literacy GrantGrant

1. Abstract = 3 pts.2. State aid = 14 pts.3. Financial support = 14 pts.4. Hours = 5 pts.5. Collection age = 5 pts.6. Staffing = 14 pts.7. Extended hours = 5 pts.8. Instructional role = 20 pts.9. Cooperation with public library = 5 pts.10. Implementation & Activities = 10 pts.11. Evaluation = 10 pts.

(Refer to pages 15-17 of the grant guidelines)

Based on 100 Based on 100 pointspoints

Collection Development GrantCollection Development Grant

Print MaterialsPrint Materials books, magazines,

books-on -tape, some AV to support an identified

PA Academic Standard $5,000 per school library

Funds may not be spent for: Hardware or software AV equipment and projectors Classroom sets of books or

textbooks

Collection Development ApplicationCollection Development Application

May apply to multiple schools in a district

Each library must submit a separate grant application

Collection development plan based on improving resources for one chosen PA Academic Standard

Collection Development Plan

1. Identify an PA Academic Standard

2. Analyze collection fitting that Standard (age, size, strengths, weaknesses)

3. Predict resources and types needed

Environment & Ecology, Health & Safety, Science & Technology

Will show a sample later

Teacher and/or student survey

For Example:

Collection Development Plan

4. Involve teachers in selection

5. Plan to evaluate effectiveness of new resources

6. Publicity plan

Plan book review day on a staff development time

Survey & circulation data

Write press releases for local media and school publications

For Example:

Kachel’s Collection Analysis Primer

A methodology that can be used to:

Collect data about your library’s print collection

Decide which PA Academic Standard to address

Include teachers in the selection process

Decide what resources will be added to improve teaching & learning within the selected Standard

Evaluate the process and use of new resources

Refer to Handout

Evaluation Criteria – Collection Development Evaluation Criteria – Collection Development GrantGrant

Abstract = 3 pts. State aid = 14 pts. Financial support = 14 pts. Collection age = 5 pts. Library staffing = 14 pts. Hours = 5 pts. Instructional role – (1) info literacy skills integrated with curriculum, (2) documentation of collaboration with

teachers, & (3) Access PA & POWER databases taught = 20 pts. Cooperation with public library = 5 pts. Collection Development Plan = 10 pts. Student outcomes/Evaluation plan = 10 pts.

(Refer to pages 15-18 of LSTA grant guidelines)

Based on 100 pointsBased on 100 points

Additional Requirement for the Additional Requirement for the Collection Development GrantCollection Development Grant

When funded, the school district must supply a collection development policy that:

Includes a weeding policy

Includes procedures for handling a challenge

Is officially approved by the Board or other similar agent

Dual Enrollment ApplicationDual Enrollment Application

Third category in which school libraries can Third category in which school libraries can participateparticipate

A collaborative grant in which academic and high school librarians work together to improve library services to students participating in the dual enrollment program. Lead applicant must be the college library.

Electronic Filing of Grant Electronic Filing of Grant ApplicationsApplications

http://egrants.ed.state.pa.us Click on Library Development Create a login and password

Refer to “How to Apply” section of

each grant application packet.

Save frequently as there is a time-out periodHelp at 717-783-6686 or raegrantshelp@state.pa.us

Issues with Electronic Filing Issues with Electronic Filing

No spell check No special formatting Fill-in blocks or limited text

(no. of characters stated) No multiple copies needed 2 attachments allowed +

Superintendent’s letter Letters must be sent US Mail Save-Save-Save while workingRefer to

e_Grants Handout

Submitting the GrantSubmitting the Grant LSTA Website

Practical Advice on Practical Advice on GrantwritingGrantwriting

Begin with concise description (abstract) Explain your needs Show documentation of collaboration/

integration Discuss Info Literacy Curriculum Document use & instruction of ACCESS PA &

POWER Library databases Goals must be student-centered;

project must show student benefit

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