Public Library and Library Systems Directors–
The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries are partnering together to offer grants to public libraries to increase opportunities for high school completion in their communities.
What will this grant fund?
Grants will be used by libraries to purchase licenses to an accredited online high school completion program for the benefit of adults ages 24 and older in the library's community. Grant funds can also be used to support the program, including laptop purchases and travel expenses for students.
This is not a grant for a program to help members of your community obtain a GED. The grant should be used to provide an accredited online high school that will award diplomas to those completing the course of study. Adults with high school diplomas have an advantage over those with only GEDs in the job market and when seeking college admission.
Public libraries that are new to offering an online high school diploma program may request funding to purchase a license that will serve 3 to 5 students at a time. Sites that participated in the pilot program or that have experience offering an online high school diploma program may request to purchase more than 5 student seats.
Successful grantees will select their online high school vendor. Here are two we are aware of, with links to additional information about them:
Excel Adult High School [Website]
Information Document on Excel High School [PDF]
Excel High School Flyer: The Power of a High School Diploma [PDF]
Smart Horizons Career Online High School [Website]
Smart Horizons High School General FAQ Document [PDF]
More about Smart Horizons High School Diploma [Website]
Partner with Workforce Development
In preparation for completing this application, libraries should meet with their local Workforce Development Boards. Libraries receiving this grant opportunity are required to work with their local Workforce Development Board and must obtain a letter of support from their local Board to include in this application. Your local Workforce office should be aware of this and have a letter ready to provide to you. Find your local Oklahoma Workforce Development Board. ODL has also compiled a spreadsheet of contacts at local boards.
What is required for the application?
To complete the application, libraries will need to include:
- a letter of support from your local Workforce Development Office;
- a needs assessment;
- a budget; and,
- an outreach plan.
See Sample Budget [Spreadsheet file] based on two known vendors.
Grantee libraries should expect to devote at least five hours per week to this project. It is important to remember that the number of student seats purchased with the license must be filled within one fiscal year. Do not ask for more seats than you can fill. Remember—you will need to select your vendor and spend all funds in the same fiscal year.
Application Deadline: November 21, 2022
If you have not used ODL's new grant management portal, you will need to create an account. For additional information on this grant opportunity, contact ODLinfo.
 Up to $275,000 in grant funds for this project are courtesy of Title I of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is the state entity designated by the Governor of Oklahoma to receive and administer federal funding awarded in accordance with WIOA. The Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development provides direct administration and oversight of all Title I WIOA formula funds and discretionary grants authorized and awarded by the law. The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) is the official state library of Oklahoma. ODL assists with public library development and coordinates library and information technology projects for the state.
Comments? Questions? Contact ODLinfo.
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