Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program
Examples of Funded Projects
The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program helps increase the number of students enrolled in schools of library science at the master's and doctoral levels as well as fund continuing education opportunities.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of Federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute serves as a leader in providing services to enhance learning, sustain cultural heritage and increase civic participation.
Program Accomplishments
For FY 07, the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program funded 43 projects.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Categories of funding are: (1) doctoral programs, (2) master's programs, (3) research, (4) preprofessional programs, (5) programs to build institutional capacity, and (6) continuing education.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
All types of libraries, except federal and for-profit libraries, may apply.
Eligible libraries include public, school, academic, special, private (not-for-profit), archives, library agencies, library consortia, and library associations.
In addition, research libraries that give the public access to services and materials suitable for scholarly research not otherwise available to the public and that are not part of a university or college are eligible.
Institutions of higher education, including public and not-for-profit universities and colleges, also are eligible.
Graduate schools of library and information science may apply as part of an institution of higher education.
See program guidelines for specific eligibility criteria.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Libraries and institutions of higher education will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations also applies.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The standard application forms as furnished by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and required by OMB Circular No.
A-102 must be used for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
As part of the president's E-government initiative, the federal government developed Grants.gov, a single website for organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all 26 of the federal grant-making agencies. Beginning with the 2008 grant cycle, the Institute required all applicants to apply online through Grants.gov. Applicants who are unable to use Grants.gov should contact an IMLS program officer. The Institute no longer accepts mailed paper applications. For more information on the process of applying through Grants.gov, visit www.grants.gov/GetStarted.
Award Procedures
Proposals are reviewed by field and/or panel reviewers, staff, and the director.
Deadlines
December 15.
Authorization
Museum and Library Services Act, codified at 20 U.S.C. Section 9101 et seq.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Seven months.
Appeals
Appeals may be made in writing to the director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Renewals
The Institute of Museum and Library Services may extend particular grants at the discretion of the director.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Projects are required to match one half of the project costs minus funds for student support. The matching requirement is waived for research projects only.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Projects may be carried out for a period of up to 36 months from the project start date. Doctoral program projects may be carried out for a period of up to 48 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
The Institute of Museum and Library Services requires interim and final financial and narrative reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in federal awards are exempt from federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipients will be required to maintain standard financial statements.
Financial Information
Account Identification
59-0300-0-1-503.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $23,760,000; FY 08 $23,345,000; FY 09 est $26,500,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$50,000 to $1,000,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
See the IMLS website at www.imls.gov for the latest program data.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, N.W., Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20036-5802. Contact: Kevin Cherry, Telephone: (202) 653-4662, E-mail: kcherry@imls.gov.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
See program guidelines.
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