More About ARPA and Grants For Libraries
The State Library is pleased to announce grants of up to $5,000--per library--to help Iowa public libraries respond to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. The grants come from funding appropriated to the State Library from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
Libraries meeting standards at Tier levels 1,2, or 3 are eligible to apply for the ARPA Grants beginning next week. Please note that the actual application form has not been released yet, but will be available by next week. These are non-competitive grants and will be handled as a reimbursement, meaning that library-city budgets will need to pay for any of the allowable purchases and the ARPA grant will then provide reimbursement.
These grants may be used for materials or technology to support digital inclusion efforts, enabling libraries to support education, community health and wellness projects, or workforce development needs. Grants can also be used as a continued response to the pandemic and to implement public health protocols.
Allowable Purchases
The State Library has prepared a list of allowable purchases which are based on national priorities set by IMLS for the ARPA funding. Note that some items that access the Internet may fall under CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act) and require Internet filtering. Among the allowable purchases: laptops, tablets, hotspots, routers, meeting room equipment such as PA systems, digital TVs, projectors, and much more. Refer to this page on our website for all the possibilities.
Timeline
This grant project has a quick turnaround time due to the requirement that all ARPA funding must be expended by the State Library by September 30, 2022. This timeline will allow room for other potential projects or additional grants if any funds remain following the initial round of grants.
- Grant Applications Available = May 17, 2021
- Grant Applications Due = July 2, 2021
- Signed Agreements Due = July 30, 2021
- Grant Amount Expended By = January 31, 2022
- Reimbursement Requests Due = April 29, 2022
- Final Report Due = April 29, 2022
Action Steps
Again, the actual grant application will be available by next week. In the meantime, there are things that directors, staff, and boards can do to be ready to participate:
- Begin thinking about the library and community needs related to digital inclusion and/or the pandemic and what your library could do in response
- Read the ARPA Grant FAQ on the State Library website
- Review the List of Allowable Expenses on the State Library website
- Attend upcoming District Office Hours to discuss these grants and the possibilities for collaboration with your colleagues
Thanks to State Library Communications Specialist Emily Bainter for writing this ARPA Project update. If you have any further questions—or if you’re curious whether other items might be allowable expenses that are not included on the shopping list—please contact State Library Program Director Nancy Medema.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services supports this program under the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa
In Sparks, Nevada: October 20-23, 2021
Library directors and staff are encouraged to apply for one of four scholarships to attend this fall’s conference sponsored by the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Applicants have until May 28th to submit applications for any of these four:
- ARSL Angels Scholarship
- Dr. Vavrek Scholarship
- Founders Scholarship
- Ken Davenport Scholarship
Scholarship winners will all receive a complimentary registration to the entire conference, in addition to three paid nights at the conference hotel. Winners of the Dr. Vavrek and the Founders scholarships will also receive a fixed travel stipend.
None of the ARSL conference scholarships require applicants to have an MLIS or other degree to be eligible. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application before the opening of Early Bird Registration set for July 6th. Visit the ARSL website at the button below for all details.
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For nearly 60 years, May has been recognized as Older Americans’ Month. In 1963,
this celebration was originally titled “Senior Citizens Month” by President Kennedy; President Carter’s administration re-named it Older Americans Month in 1980.
The 2021 theme is “Communities of Strength,” a theme selected to celebrate the strong contributions of older citizens in building resilient communities. Their time, experience, and skills benefit families, young people, and neighbors every day. From the OAM website “There are many things we can do to nurture ourselves, reinforce our strength, and continue to thrive. Connecting with others is one of the most important: it plays a vital role in our health and well-being and in that of our communities. From finding joy in small things and sharing our stories, to looking at the big picture and giving to others, join us in promoting the ways we are connected and strong...”
Activities
The OAM website suggests group activities to celebrate Older Americans’ Month like community quilt making, painting public murals, or planting community gardens. Plus these outdoor ideas for library sponsorship:
Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation in May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Making Older Americans Month a perfect occasion for library book displays, bulletin boards, social media posts. Find more at the button below, including posters to help with your local promotions, along with activities and resources to use in local planning. Read more about Older Americans Month and share your plans with each other on LIBRARY TALK!
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