From the State Library

Grant Opportunity
The State Library of Ohio launched the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Outreach Grant initiative on June 1 and the deadline to submit proposals is rapidly approaching. Utilizing Federal ARPA funds received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the State Library of Ohio encourages Ohio libraries of all types to apply for this competitive grant program which revolves around the concept of Outreach as well as response to and prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications are being accepted in three categories:
Outreach and Education Proposals may request between $5,000 and $24,999 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate the need for a program or educational initiative to enhance the development of library staff and/or library users.

Community Connections Proposals may request between $25,000 and $49,999 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate a willingness for libraries to meet users where they are in the communities they serve.

Outreach Initiatives Proposals may request between $50,000 and $100,000 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate a large-scale, well-coordinated outreach endeavor on the part of the library.
In support of the ARPA Outreach Grant, State Library staff have created an informational webinar. The video may be viewed by selecting the webinar recording tab at library.ohio.gov/arpa. In addition, a recording of the ARPA Outreach Grant Q&A Office Hours webinar can be found here.

All types of Ohio libraries are eligible to apply for ARPA funds. Applicants may request up to $100,000 in federal funds; due to the nature of ARPA funds, NO local cash match of the total project cost is required. A complete application proposal package must be submitted digitally to the State Library by 11:59 p.m. August 1, 2021 at this link: library.ohio.gov/arpa/#OutreachGrantApplication.

Information about the ARPA Outreach Grant, including FAQs, Request for Proposals, and the Application, may be found at library.ohio.gov/arpa. Recommended applications will be presented to the State Library Board for funding in September 2021. Grant contract periods run from November 1, 2021– July 31, 2022.

Join the ARPA-OH announcement list to receive news and information about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) library initiatives and programs in Ohio supported through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the State Library of Ohio.
Questions may be addressed to Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development, via estruble@library.ohio.gov or 614-752-9178, and Cindy Boyden, LSTA Coordinator, via LSTA@library.ohio.gov or 614-644-6863.

New Live Webinar
To access the training, go to the State Library of Ohio’s Training and Professional Development page and click the homelessness training link. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account. Certificates will be issued within Niche Academy after the completion of the core training or webinar.

Title: HELP!: The correct way for staff to provide backup in crisis
Some of the issues covered:

The four problems with the way most people do backup.
Exactly how to provide backup correctly.
How to use backup to train new staff.

When: Thursday, August 12 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Length: 1 Hour

Pre-Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_1I_I4mP7QZaSyM_uBFdFLg

Anyone who misses a live event can watch it (with close captioning) on Niche Academy a few days later.

If you have trouble accessing the training or upcoming webinar, email Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio at: ekelsey@library.ohio.gov.

Don’t have an account? If you work in a public or academic library, click here to create a Niche Academy account. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account.

Just a reminder that the 2021 Ohio Summer Library Program Evaluation survey is open:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/slpeval2021

Each year, the State Library asks all Ohio public libraries to report on their SLP. Your participation helps the State Library, Regional Library Systems, other partners, and the Collaborative Summer Library Program to provide helpful resources and support for future SLPs. It also provides needed information we to communicate the value and impact of summer programs and activities provided by Ohio public libraries.

This evaluation survey asks you to submit these numbers:

Children, teens, and adults who participated in your SLP
Attendance at SLP-related programming for children, teens, adults, and all-ages. Online live, online recorded, and in-person programs are counted together for this survey.
Statewide incentives distributed (State Parks, Armstrong Museum, Ohio Renaissance Festival) (if applicable)
Number of Summer Food Service Program sites operated/visited (if applicable)

You may also provide feedback on SLP resources provided by CSLP, the State Library, Regional Library Systems, and other partners, and make suggestions for improved or new services.

The survey can take as little as ~5 minutes if you have your numbers ready at hand, longer if you have narrative feedback to share. In 2020, the average time spent on the survey was just under 15 minutes.

This survey also invites you to share anecdotes and photos from your SLP. These photos and stories may be used in the annual Ohio SLP Evaluation Report, and in presentations, print, and/or online publications that communicate the importance of libraries for summer enrichment and literacy support.

Please complete the evaluation at the end of your library’s SLP and no later than September 10. I will send additional reminders.
Contact Janet Ingram Dwyer if your systemwide statistics will not be compiled until end of September.

The evaluation survey link is www.surveymonkey.com/r/slpeval2021

Thank you in advance for collecting your data and completing the survey. Summer reading and learning have a big positive impact on student success and community well-being. Your survey response lets us demonstrate the range and benefits of summer programming in Ohio’s libraries, particularly during this transitional year, and helps us continue to improve our services.


From the State Library Grant Opportunity The State Library of Ohio launched the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Outreach Grant initiative on June 1 and the deadline to submit proposals is rapidly approaching. Utilizing Federal ARPA funds received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the State Library of Ohio encourages Ohio libraries of all types to apply for this competitive grant program which revolves around the concept of Outreach as well as response to and prevention of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications are being accepted in three categories: Outreach and Education Proposals may request between $5,000 and $24,999 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate the need for a program or educational initiative to enhance the development of library staff and/or library users. Community Connections Proposals may request between $25,000 and $49,999 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate a willingness for libraries to meet users where they are in the communities they serve. Outreach Initiatives Proposals may request between $50,000 and $100,000 in federal funds. Proposals must demonstrate a large-scale, well-coordinated outreach endeavor on the part of the library. In support of the ARPA Outreach Grant, State Library staff have created an informational webinar. The video may be viewed by selecting the webinar recording tab at library.ohio.gov/arpa. In addition, a recording of the ARPA Outreach Grant Q&A Office Hours webinar can be found here. All types of Ohio libraries are eligible to apply for ARPA funds. Applicants may request up to $100,000 in federal funds; due to the nature of ARPA funds, NO local cash match of the total project cost is required. A complete application proposal package must be submitted digitally to the State Library by 11:59 p.m. August 1, 2021 at this link: library.ohio.gov/arpa/#OutreachGrantApplication. Information about the ARPA Outreach Grant, including FAQs, Request for Proposals, and the Application, may be found at library.ohio.gov/arpa. Recommended applications will be presented to the State Library Board for funding in September 2021. Grant contract periods run from November 1, 2021– July 31, 2022. Join the ARPA-OH announcement list to receive news and information about American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) library initiatives and programs in Ohio supported through the Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the State Library of Ohio. Questions may be addressed to Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development, via estruble@library.ohio.gov or 614-752-9178, and Cindy Boyden, LSTA Coordinator, via LSTA@library.ohio.gov or 614-644-6863. New Live Webinar To access the training, go to the State Library of Ohio’s Training and Professional Development page and click the homelessness training link. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account. Certificates will be issued within Niche Academy after the completion of the core training or webinar. Title: HELP!: The correct way for staff to provide backup in crisis Some of the issues covered: The four problems with the way most people do backup. Exactly how to provide backup correctly. How to use backup to train new staff. When: Thursday, August 12 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time Length: 1 Hour Pre-Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_1I_I4mP7QZaSyM_uBFdFLg Anyone who misses a live event can watch it (with close captioning) on Niche Academy a few days later. If you have trouble accessing the training or upcoming webinar, email Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio at: ekelsey@library.ohio.gov. Don’t have an account? If you work in a public or academic library, click here to create a Niche Academy account. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to create an account. Just a reminder that the 2021 Ohio Summer Library Program Evaluation survey is open: www.surveymonkey.com/r/slpeval2021 Each year, the State Library asks all Ohio public libraries to report on their SLP. Your participation helps the State Library, Regional Library Systems, other partners, and the Collaborative Summer Library Program to provide helpful resources and support for future SLPs. It also provides needed information we to communicate the value and impact of summer programs and activities provided by Ohio public libraries. This evaluation survey asks you to submit these numbers: Children, teens, and adults who participated in your SLP Attendance at SLP-related programming for children, teens, adults, and all-ages. Online live, online recorded, and in-person programs are counted together for this survey. Statewide incentives distributed (State Parks, Armstrong Museum, Ohio Renaissance Festival) (if applicable) Number of Summer Food Service Program sites operated/visited (if applicable) You may also provide feedback on SLP resources provided by CSLP, the State Library, Regional Library Systems, and other partners, and make suggestions for improved or new services. The survey can take as little as ~5 minutes if you have your numbers ready at hand, longer if you have narrative feedback to share. In 2020, the average time spent on the survey was just under 15 minutes. This survey also invites you to share anecdotes and photos from your SLP. These photos and stories may be used in the annual Ohio SLP Evaluation Report, and in presentations, print, and/or online publications that communicate the importance of libraries for summer enrichment and literacy support. Please complete the evaluation at the end of your library’s SLP and no later than September 10. I will send additional reminders. Contact Janet Ingram Dwyer if your systemwide statistics will not be compiled until end of September. The evaluation survey link is www.surveymonkey.com/r/slpeval2021 Thank you in advance for collecting your data and completing the survey. Summer reading and learning have a big positive impact on student success and community well-being. Your survey response lets us demonstrate the range and benefits of summer programming in Ohio’s libraries, particularly during this transitional year, and helps us continue to improve our services.
Template 11 - NEO-RLS News-August 2, 2021