General Grant Instructions

Getting Started
Deadlines and Timetable
LSTA Statewide Five-Year Plan
Partnerships
New and Continuing Projects
Outcomes, Activities and Evaluation
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Budget Considerations
Grant Recipient Workshop
Completing the Application Form

Getting Started Back

Review this project manual. Determine the best grant category for your project.
Call the appropriate Arizona State Library program contact and discuss your project. Call your county librarian to explain your project, checking to see if it overlaps with other county projects and how it fits into the library's plan.
Although a paper copy of the application is included with this booklet, you are encouraged to submit your application online. The online application is available at www.lib.az.us/lsta/GrantApp/.

Deadlines and Timetable Back

The online application must be submitted by midnight March 17, 2008 (after that the forms will not be available), and the Certification of Application with original signature, and any paper attachments, must be mailed and postmarked by March 17, 2008; or the complete paper application must be postmarked by
March 17, 2008.

	March 17, 2008	2008 LSTA application electronically submitted and/or postmarked
	May 21, 2008	Grant awards announced
	June 12, 2008	Grant funds available
	June 12, 2008	Grant recipient workshop
	August 3, 2009	2008 LSTA funds must be spent
	September 4, 2009	2008 LSTA final reports due

LSTA Statewide Five-Year Plan Back

The State Library staff, with the assistance of outside consultants, focus groups and librarian input, developed the 2008-2012 LSTA Five Year Plan.

Grant proposals must address the goals and needs outlined in the plan. For a complete copy of the LSTA Five-Year Plan, check the State Library’s Web site at www.lib.az.us/lsta/fiveyrplan.cfm or call the Library Development Division.

Partnerships Back

Libraries are encouraged to partner with other organizations when applying for LSTA funds. Libraries should consider partnering with museums, archives, cultural organizations, schools, tribal and governmental entities, social service agencies, local businesses or organizations.

All partners must benefit from the project, and those benefits should be clear in the application. The library must serve as the applicant, and assume fiscal responsibility, if the grant is awarded. Be sure that all potential partners have been contacted before including them in the grant proposal. Include a letter of support from each partner.

New and Continuing Projects Back

LSTA funds are primarily targeted for new projects that serve as models or pilots. Libraries may apply for subsequent phases of a project that is underway. Libraries may also apply for funding of an ongoing project if it reaches new audiences, incorporates new methodologies or significantly expands the reach of the project.

Outcomes, Activities and Evaluation Back

You will note that these items have been grouped together in the Project Narrative. Begin by writing clear, concise, and measurable outcomes. Use the outcomes listed in your grant category either directly or as a model. Outcomes should be a change (preferably an improvement) in the target audiences’ skills, attitudes, knowledge, behaviors, and status or life conditions. Activities should be designed to bring about the change. The evaluation methods should measure the success of the activities to bring about the desired change. Incorporate the evaluation throughout the project, not just as an add-on at the end. You may present this information as a narrative, as a chart, or as both.

IMLS has information on outcomes at www.imls.gov/grants/applicats/obe.shtm. You may find the IMLS Web site, www.imls.gov/project_planning/, helpful as you determine outcomes and evaluation methods. This planning tutorial was designed for IMLS National Leadership Grants, but is valuable to any library program planner.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Back

Public and school libraries must certify that they are CIPA compliant to receive 2007 LSTA funds to purchase computers to access the Internet or to pay for the direct cost associated with accessing the Internet. For more information about CIPA, go to www.imls.gov/about/cipa.shtm or visit www.cosla.org/cipa/.

Budget Considerations Back

LSTA funds may be used for many project costs. However, funds may not be used for existing staff salaries and benefits, administrative fees, indirect costs, food or entertainment or for projects that are primarily marketing. Travel and per diem expenses may be included only for project personnel at the rate authorized by the State, which is generally $60 per night for lodging; $34.00 per day for meals and incidentals; and 44.5 cents per mile.

The total budget should reflect the costs for the project outlined in the application. Local funds, whether in-kind or cash, are encouraged but not required. LSTA leveraging of local funds is important to IMLS in justifying the program with Congress. For more information on the LSTA budget, refer to the Grant Administration Requirements on page 12.

Grant Recipient Workshop Back

The project contact person for each 2008 LSTA funded project must attend a grant recipient workshop on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at the Carnegie Center, 1101 W. Washington, Phoenix. During the workshop, Arizona State Library staff will review grant procedures. Project directors will also have the opportunity to meet Library Development Division staff, and to hear about other funded projects. Include travel costs to this meeting in your budget, if needed

Completing the Application Form Back

A complete application consists of:

Cover sheet
Project narrative
Budget form
Certification of Application form (signed)
Support letters from project partners
Brief resume from paid project consultants
No more than two, brief additional attachments

If you submit your application electronically, complete the cover sheet, project narrative and budget form online. Mail the Certification of Application and any support letters and resumes to the address below. If you complete a paper application, mail the entire application.

Send the materials to:

Grants Administrator
Library Development Division
1100 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007-2935

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Updated: 12/27/2008