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Quarterly Sign-Up Deadline Is
December 29
If you are not aware of the Foundation Directory, there’s no time like the present to learn more about this resource and how gain access for your library.
The Foundation Directory (FD) is a research tool designed to help libraries and nonprofits find the grant-makers most likely to fund their projects. This tool includes grant-maker profiles, offering a summary of their work, along with all the pertinent details that fundraisers need to find and approach prospective grant agencies.
FD is provided to all Iowa public libraries from the State Library at no cost. If your library has not yet signed up, please know that FD now allows new libraries access on a quarterly basis. You can submit your library’s IP information to a form linked on our webpage at the button below. FD staff will process all new submissions following a deadline each quarter.
The current deadline is December 29, 2023 for new library access; if you submit your library’s IP information after any deadline, access will not be granted until the next time. Here are the upcoming quarterly deadlines ending this month and into the new year: December 29, 2023 // March 29, 2024 // June 28, 2024
Once you've submit IP information to a form linked on our website, FD staff will contact you to provide further instructions on setting up access. Because FD authenticates through the library’s IP address, this is available for in-library use only.
Webinars On The Subject
Continuing Education Consultant Samantha Bouwers compiled these links to webinars focusing on the Foundation Directory that we’ve sponsored recently sponsored. These recordings are all available on the State Library’s Continuing Education YouTube Channel, as well as accessible inside IALearns.
What’s Included in the Foundation Directory
The Foundation Directory can be used by library boards and staff in search of grants, but also offered as a resource to patrons and local nonprofits. Iowa’s public libraries have access to the “Essential Plan” which includes
- 100,000+ grant-maker profiles
- 500,000+ key decision makers and leaders
- Keyword search IRS 990-PF Forms
- Online workspace
Access to the Foundation Directory is supported by the Institute of Museum and
Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act
as administered by the State Library of Iowa. The Foundation Directory
is provided by the State Library to Iowa public libraries at no cost.
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November issues of the Eye-Opener included a couple of notices to “Save The Date” for the 2024 ILOC conference—it’s scheduled for January 25th. Today’s news: registration for ILOC is now open in IALearns.
The ILOC acronym stands for Innovative Libraries Online Conference, a popular kickoff to a new year of continuing education for now 17 years. We’ve always encouraged ILOC day to be a staff development day, allowing as many staff as possible to login all together and make it a day of collaborative learning and planning. Some libraries are even able to close to make the most of the ILOC Conference and staff development.
Throughout November, we were seeking conference proposals; the ILOC Team is excited to review the proposals and coordinate sessions to include topics such as
- Sustainability in building operations (i.e. “green” improvements)
- Library collaborations within a county or region
- Positive interactions with other city services or departments
- Programs that are making a noticeable impact in communities
- Sustainable and alternative funding options
- Innovative practices in strategic planning
This is an all-day online conference, take part from the comfort of home! And this reminder to all library board members: each year ILOC includes an evening program for trustees. Watch this space for more announcements and details regarding keynote speakers and breakouts sessions planned for ILOC 2024. In the meantime, avoid the Christmas rush and register today!
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For Small, Rural Libraries
This grant has a short turn-around, but it’s worth exploring. From Penguin Random House, in partnership with the Association For Small Rural Libraries, comes this grant package for small, rural libraries nationwide.
This grant is available to libraries that meet both the IMLS definition for “small” (libraries in a service population of 25,000 or fewer) and the definition for “rural” (libraries located 5 or more miles from the nearest town of 25k or more)
Applicants may request one (1) monetary grant in support of a community-oriented project for up to $1,000.00 OR an in-kind donation of up to $1,000.00 in equivalent value to support a circulating collection in your library.
Applications are expected to open today December 4 and close on December 15. Funding notifications will be sent by March 8, 2024, funded projects must be completed by December 31, 2024, and final project reports will be due by February 1, 2025.
The program will award grants to libraries that demonstrate a true need; first-time recipients will receive priority. Monetary grants are not limited to literacy, they may be used for everything from library programming and books to resources like hotspots. Libraries seeking support for digital collections should request a monetary grant rather than the in-kind option.
NOTE: As of this writing, the application form was not yet open for filing.
But do check back because the website says "Applications Open December 4..."
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A new month, a new slate of continuing education options. This week, register for these classes:
Security for Rural Librarians:
Staying Safe at Work When Help Is Far. Online December 6th. 1:00-2:00PM
Staff who work in larger libraries have the benefit of many support systems to call on for immediate help, especially when it comes to dealing with alarming patron behaviors. There is safety in numbers in larger libraries, where you can change the ratio of confrontation and get help right away. But working in rural libraries—defined as having police or sheriff response from 20 minutes to two hours away—presents different challenges. Rural library staff often work alone, occasionally with only one or two other colleagues in the building. Rural libraries are sometimes one-room facilities, with only one entrance / exit. So it's imperative that rural library staff and boards consider every available safety and security measure. This webinar is presented by Dr. Steve Albrecht: Library Service, Safety and Security Consultant and author of Library Security (ALA c2015) and The Safe Library (Rowman Publishing c2023)
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Lunch with the State Library:
This Month The State Data Center.
Online December 7th. 12:15-12:45PM
Are you ready to take your community research and strategic planning to the next level? The State Data Center is here to help! The mission of the State Data Center is to increase the availability of census data in Iowa and to help people use it. Coordinator Gary Krob will review resources available to you and walk you through some Census data basics.
Lunch with the State Library is a series of short sessions designed to give library workers a high-level overview of a featured product or service available to them through the State Library so they can most effectively introduce and use these products and services in their community.
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