Tuesday, August 23, 2011

ADA Program, Reasonable Accommodations & Your Library

What: “What’s Reasonable? ADA Accommodations & Your Library" presented by Marc Anthony Gallucci Esq., Executive Director, Center for Disability Rights, West Haven.

When: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 10:30 to 1:00OM including a question and answer period.

Where: Wallingford Public Library, 200 North Main Street, Wallingford Center, CT 06492-3791, (203) 265-6754

There will be coffee, tea, and pastries served. Oooh!

CLA members: $15.00; non-members: $25.00.





The Center for Disability Rights, based in West Haven, CT advocates for people with disabilities and their issues on a local, statewide, and national level. They also provide services to individuals and their families, as well as technical assistance and community education to businesses, government, and members of the community.










Monday, August 22, 2011

Connecticut's "Museums for America" Grant Awards Announcement

Among the 160 national awards announced by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) were over $800,000 in grants for Connecticut museums.

“Congratulations to the Museums for America grantees. We are pleased to support museums through investments in high-priority, high value activities that benefit communities throughout the US,” said Susan Hildreth, IMLS Director. “These museums, small and large, will help to educate and inspire the public for years to come.”

IMLS awarded $18,777,552 in federal funding nationwide, with applicants providing at least a 100% local match.

Basic details are provided below, and you can read more here.

Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport. Award Amount: $78,000; Matching Amount: $81,000
Grant Category: Engaging Communities
Contact: Ms. Margaret Sackrider, Zoo Educator. (203) 394-6563; msackrider@beardsleyzoo.org

The Beardsley Zoo will continue its "Conservation Discovery Corps" teen program, a year-round informal science education program designed to provide diverse and economically challenged but environmentally aware students, aged 14 to 17, with applied wildlife conservation training in the zoo and through field research. Students are trained in conservation and education concepts that are applied through field expeditions and collaborations with scientists in research and habitat restoration activities to prepare them as zoo exhibit interpreters and teenaged Conservation Discovery Corps ambassadors. Through their interactions, participants develop increased self-confidence and gain valuable work skills in leadership, teamwork, and public speaking.

Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington. Award Amount: $145,410; Matching Amount: $191,120
Grant Category: Building Institutional Capacity
Contact: Dr. Sue Sturtevant, Executive Director and CEO. (860) 677-4787; sturtevants@hillstead.org

Hill-Stead Museum will begin a "Capacity Building Project for Outdoor Programs." This project will support programs and events that utilize the museum's designed cultural landscape as the context for learning, exploration, refreshment, and community connection. The culmination of several years of institution-wide efforts to more fully utilize the museum's exceptional natural resources, the project will contribute to the process of expanding the exhibition and programmatic platform from a focus on the historic Pope-Riddle house and its collections to one that includes the entire historic cultural landscape and builds on the full artistic, literary, and humanitarian legacy of Theodate Pope Riddle. Specific programs will include "Excursions into the Natural World," an intergenerational nature education program, a new farmer's market, and the nationally acclaimed Sunken Garden Poetry and Music Festival.

Antiquarian and Landmarks Society, Hartford. Award Amount: $150,000; Matching Amount: $189,736
Grant Category: Engaging Communities
Contact: Ms. Beverly Lucas, Curator. (860) 247-8996x14; beverly.lucas@ctlandmarks.org

The Connecticut Antiquarian and Landmarks Society will hire a community educator who will be responsible for audience engagement, community partnership, and community-based programming at the society's five core properties. Building on previous research, the community educator will focus on projects that address specific audiences and audience needs for each core property. This work is integral to fulfilling the society's strategic plan and to strengthening its ability to serve the public by identifying and delineating the highest-priority community- and audience-focused programs for each its core communities.

Litchfield Historical Society, Litchfield. Award Amount: $128,835; Matching Amount: $180,121
Grant Category: Collections Stewardship
Contact: Ms. Catherine Fields, Director. (860) 567-4501; cfields@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

The Litchfield Historical Society will develop online archival finding aids, as well as launch the online component of the artifact database for the society's collections from the Age of Jackson through the Colonial Revival (1835-1935). This project fulfills the society's mission to preserve and interpret Litchfield history through the organization, description, documentation, and dissemination of specific archival and artifact collections. This project will enable the society's collections on this important era in American history to reach a wider audience than now possible. The society has designated these collections as its highest priority for increased access based on frequency of research and photographic service requests; upcoming exhibitions on the Civil War and Colonial Revival; demonstrated interest by scholars; and usefulness of the material for teachers and in educational programs.

Sea Research Foundation, Mystic. Award Amount: $122,037; Matching Amount: $122,787
Grant Category: Engaging Communities
Contact: Mr. Pat Shea, Director of Digital Media Group. (860) 572-5955; pshea@searesearch.org

Sea Research Foundation, comprising Mystic Aquarium and the Institute for Exploration and Immersion Learning, will implement its distance learning curricula to further inspire youth in science, math, and technology through exploration and discovery. Sea Research Foundation's project, "Nautilus Live Experience," will build on an innovative deep ocean exploration exhibit at Mystic Aquarium; it will incorporate a dynamic, live, and interactive theater experience and supporting Web site. The project promotes marine science literacy, ocean conservation, environmental awareness, and education and research while engaging audiences in long-term expeditions via live-boat communication.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University, New Haven. Award Amount: $148,015; Matching Amount: $148,143
Grant Category: Engaging Communities
Contact: Ms. Jane Pickering, Deputy Director. (203) 432-0798; jane.pickering@yale.edu

The Peabody Museum of Natural History will use funds for "EVOLUTIONS," an after-school program for 60 New Haven public school students in grades 9 to 12, from groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, in an academically rigorous, for-credit program focused on science literacy, college preparation, and career awareness. Students will spend one afternoon a week at the museum during the academic year, where they will produce a museum exhibition, attend seminars, explore museum collections, participate in college field trips, and intern in a variety of Yale laboratories. Older students will participate in a "career ladder" where they will learn to interpret the museum's exhibits for the public. Students will be trained by a professional museum evaluator to implement tracking studies and other evaluative methods to assess the impact of their activities on museum visitors.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk. Award Amount: $46,294; Matching Amount: $46,294
Grant Category: Building Institutional Capacity
Contact: Ms. Rhonda Kiest, Executive Director. (203) 899-0606; rhonda@steppingstonesmuseum.org

Stepping Stones Museum for Children will implement the use of a comprehensive survey tool to enhance the museum evaluation processes. This tool will be capable of linking a front of house kiosk, PDAs, and other touch screen/tablet interfaces and online delivery tools with a back office database application. By doing so, the museum will acquire valuable data to inform strategic decisions, optimize programs and customer service, and steward the museum's mission to "broaden and enrich the educational opportunities for children ten and under and enhance their understanding of the world." Implementing the survey tool will result in real time, actionable, and reliable data to help develop programming for both exhibitions and education, support business decision making, and provide a better understanding of the needs and interests of current and prospective audiences.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Brinker International Foundation Grants


Brinker International, Inc., founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, owns over 1,500 locations of casual dining restaurants: Chili’s Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy and Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

The Foundation's objective is to support programs and projects that are affiliated with children/family, arts, civic, and university-related educational programs. The guidelines are simple and include:
  • The exact amount requested and the specific purpose for the donation briefly summarized on 1-2 typewritten pages. The request should detail how the donations will be used.
  • Information about your organization, including proof of 501(c)(3) status and sources of funding.
  • Information, if any, concerning past or current involvement of Brinker International employees with the organization.
  • We may also come back and ask for the organization's current Board of Directors, including their business and civic affiliations, as well as the organization's recent financial statements.
"Giving back to the communities where we live and work is one of Brinker International's core values. With a diverse variety of local fundraising activities and corporate giving programs, Brinker and its restaurants contribute more than $3 million annually to a number of worthwhile charities."





Saturday, August 20, 2011

Community Facility Grants & Telecommunications Loans and Grants

The U.S. Deaprtment of Agriculture has a couple of programs that - maybe - are worth looking into for CT libraries.

Community Programs provides grants to assist in the development of essential community facilities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grants are available to public entities such as municipalities, counties, and special-purpose districts, as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments.

Telecommunications Loans and Grants have similar population requirements and are designed to meet the goal of increasing economic opportunity in rural America. The USDA uses these grants to finance new construction and upgrades to telecommunications infrastructure. "Access to high-speed Internet services and other quality telecommunications services increases educational opportunities, improved availability of healthcare, job creation, retention and growth of businesses, and other economic growth."

For more information about this program, or to file an application, contact one of Connecticut's two Rural Development offices - Windsor and Norwich.


Friday, August 19, 2011

DeafMD: Health Information in American Sign Language

DeafMD’s website provides health information in American Sign Language (ASL) to the Deaf & Hard of Hearing population. Using health information created by two trustworthy and unbiased government sources (CDC and NIH), DeafMD’s team of healthcare providers, linguists, and educators translates this complex information into ASL.

DeafMD contains 4 distinct, informative sections: Diseases & Illnesses, Understanding Tests, News, & Find a Deaf Friendly Doctor.

While each section is different, each one is specifically designed to promote a better understanding and knowledge of health. Videos on how to use the resource are embedded in the site.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

IMLS Call for Applications: Conservation Project Support Grants


The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for the Conservation Project Support grant program.

Check the program site for information including guidelines and contacts; IMLS is offering two webinars conference with program staff;

Thursday, August 18, 2011, at 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Thursday, September 1, 2011, at 3:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Deadline: October 3, 2011
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $150,000
Grant Period: Generally up to two years; three years with strong justification
Matching Requirement: 1:1 for total project request

The purpose of the Conservation Project Support grants program is to help safeguard collections housed in the nation’s museums so that current and future generations can gain access to and learn from the rich artistic, cultural, and scientific heritage they represent. To achieve this purpose, IMLS awards grants to help agencies identify conservation needs and priorities and ensure the safekeeping of collections by implementing sound conservation practices.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Connecting to Collections: Statewide Implementation Grants


Deadline: 2/1/2012

Statewide Implementation Grants, an important component of the Connecting to Collections initiative, will fund a limited number of grants to implement the plans or models created with the Statewide Planning grants, addressing issues identified in the Heritage Health Index, to:
• provide safe conditions for their collections;
• develop an emergency plan;
• assign responsibility for collections care; and work together to increase public and private support for, and raise public awareness about, collections care.

These grants are designed to encourage people and institutions in each state to collaborate on the implementation of a plan that addresses the specific and most pressing needs of its collections-holding institutions.

Applicants are expected to report what has already been done, name the organizations and people to be involved in the implementation process, and outline their plan's specific steps to improve collections care.



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

American Honda Foundation

The American Honda Foundation supports youth education, specifically in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, the environment, job training and literacy.

Deadlines are four times a year, the next on is November. Grants range from $20,000 to $60,000 over a one-year period. The informational page is pretty robust with lists of grants from 2005 through 2009.

Proposals are submitted online in a process that begins with applicants taking an Eligibility Quiz to ensure the program meets certain qualifications.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Hartford Public Library YA Success Story

The Hartford Public Library's Community Needs Assessment project of the 2010-2011 LSTA cycle devoted the kind of time and attention to young adults that is rarely seen in libraries today.

The project founded a Teen Space Advisory Council composed of young adults from different schools in Hartford. They spent countless hours identifying and quantifying their vision of what the library could do to best serve youth with technology, study space, comfortable yet functional furnishings -- and after-school snacks!!

Read the Success Story on the Webjunction grants page.

NEH Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants









The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is accepting applications to their Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants program.

This program is designed to encourage innovations in the digital humanities. By awarding relatively small grants to support the planning stages, NEH aims to encourage the development of innovative projects that promise to benefit the humanities.

Due date is September 27, 2011.

Friday, August 12, 2011

National Depression Screening Day = October 6, 2011

Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, NDSD raises awareness and screens people for depression and related mood and anxiety disorders.

NDSD is the nation’s oldest voluntary, community-based screening program that provides referral information for treatment. More than half a million people each year have been screened for depression since 1991.

Components of NDSD include:


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

8/23 U.S. Senate Committee on Aging Field Hearing on Elder Abuse - Hartford

The United States Senate Committee on Aging will be conducting a field hearing on elderly abuse in Connecticut on Tuesday August 23, 2011 at 10:00AM.

The hearing will occur at the Legislative Office Building on 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford CT.

Senator Richard Blumenthal invites individuals who have been victims of abuse to share their stories at this field hearing.

If you are aware of anyone, please forward the information to Joe Rodriguez, Research Aide and Outreach Organizer; Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office; 30 Lewis Street, Suite 101; Hartford 860-258-6940 and mention the Field Hearing on Elder Abuse.

Questions can also be directed to Mr. Rodriguez.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit

Just in case anyone missed it on the Welcome listserv.

USCIS is working to notify all immigrant-serving organizations of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, a free resource with materials for ESL, civics, and citizenship classes and programs. We are proud to announce that we have distributed almost 9,000 Toolkits since launching the new version in May. Please distribute the below message, or the attached flier, to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
USCIS offers a free Civics and Citizenship Toolkit to community organizations that assist immigrants aspiring to become U.S. citizens. The toolkit provides educational materials that focus on both naturalization and civics. Here is the list of eligible organizations and link to register for a Toolkit. Interested individuals or organizations that do not qualify to receive a free toolkit may purchase a copy from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) Online Bookstore. For additional citizenship information and educational materials, be sure to visit the Citizenship Resource Center.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Computers for Learning Program

The Computers for Learning Program (CFL) permits Federal agencies to transfer excess computers and related peripheral equipment directly to schools and some educational nonprofits. The CFL program specifically matches the computer needs of schools and educational nonprofit organization with excess equipment in Federal agencies. http://computersforlearning.gov/

Schools and educational nonprofit organizations do not pay for the equipment they receive but are responsible for the shipping, handling costs, and any refurbishing costs.

8/18 TechSoup webinar: Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training at Your Library or Nonprofit

Free Windows 7 Curriculum: Basic Computer Training at Your Library or Nonprofit
When: Thursday, August 18, 2011 - 11:00 - 12:00PM (Pacific time)
Online Registration

Struggling to provide jargon-free, basic computer training for an adult audience? The My PC Series offers free online curriculum. This TechSoup webinar features My PC program manager Todd Watts, and includes background on using Windows 7 and Windows Live Essentials to teach basic computer and photo-editing skills.

Friday, August 5, 2011

LEF (the Literacy Empowerment Foundation) Books’ Matching Book Grant Program recently increased the size of the matching grants available to schools. Any amount purchased from $100.00 to $20,000.00 will be matched.

Guided Reading Collections consist of 6 copies each of 24 titles (144 books total). Independent Reading Collections consist of one copy each of 144 titles. With each set of Guided Reading and/or Independent Reading Collections purchased at the regular price, an additional set of your choice will be included free of charge.

Offer expires September 30th, 2011.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

8/11 TechSoup Webinar: Microsoft Donation Program: Get Your Questions Answered

Microsoft Donation Program: Get Your Questions Answered
When: Thurs
day, August 11, 2011 - 10:00 - 11:00AM (Pacific time)
Online Registration


This TechSoup webina
r will give a broad overview of the donation program, explain who is eligible, the procurement process, and the benefits that are included. There will be additional open question time as this webinar will focus on you and your questions.