Features
Access and Funding For All
Funding like LSTA has the ability to help schools and libraries meet their needs and achieve their goals.
Celebración Latina
LSTA grant money was the impetus for beginning outreach to the Hispanic community in Clark County.
Tips On Running A Successful Levy Campaign
The Dayton Metro Library placed a 1.25 mil replacement levy on the ballot.
Establishing an Endowment Fund
The right choice for Worthington Libraries.
Grant Seeking for Individuals
Finding which programs are providing the needed resources.
Grants Or Loans For Business Start Up
There are several state and federal loan programs to start a business.
Funding / LSTA / Grants
In these trying economic times, funding is on everyone's mind. The number of patrons is growing, their service needs are expanding, and technological solutions to meet those needs are becoming available. At the same time, traditional funding sources are being cut and operating costs are increasing.
If libraries are to continue to offer the services our patrons have come to expect, much less expand those services to meet our patrons' needs, we must look for alternative methods of funding.
In this issue, we highlight various alternative funding methods that libraries have employed to ensure continuing service to their patrons. These methods include LSTA grants, tax levies, and endowment funds, among others. We have also included listings of various federal and state agencies that administer grant and loan programs.
State Librarian’s Report
Money may be the root of all evil, but librarians also recognize that funding is the root of all opportunities. Librarians constantly strive to improve their customer services, but new services mean start up costs, new materials and new equipment. We all know that with adequate funding, anything is possible.
Ohio libraries have made a science of cooperation.
But as traditional funding sources are cut and operating costs increase, improving services becomes a dream and simply maintaining basic services becomes a question. So what do we do? The choices are either cut one vital service to add another or cut back to basic services and wait for a better economic climate.
But there are other possibilities. Ohio libraries have made a science of cooperation. Resource sharing projects such as MORE, OhioLINK, Clevenet and various library consortia mean that Ohio's libraries can provide the materials their customers request, even if the materials come from across the state.
Combining available funds means Ohio's public, school and academic libraries can access reference databases that would be too expensive for any single library to afford. Libraries Connect Ohio has proven that when we combine our buying power we can make a core set of electronic resources available to all Ohio residents regardless of where they live or when they want them.
Librarians must also add another skill to their already vast repertoire: fundraising. Libraries are fundamentally good, after all libraries provide equity where it does not otherwise exist. Doesn't everyone know that by now? Of course they do. But in these difficult economic times, when available dollars are not all that available, libraries have to keep proving that the contribution that they make to each and every one of our communities is a substantial one. And finding additional funding when dollars are scarce is not only a good skill but an essential skill.
This newsletter lists several funding opportunities. We realize that there are many more. As you find them, please consider sharing them. Send your information to Jane Byrnes at jbyrnes@sloma.state.oh.us so we can place additional funding opportunities on the State Library homepage. Let the collaboration spread!
