During the last week notices were sent concerning grant money that is available for libraries and other community facilities through the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant Program. After meeting with local USDA Business and Community Programs Directors, the Colorado State Library would like to share some information with you concerning this opportunity.
Download a PDF of this information
- This money is being offered through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).
- The funds will help rural communities up to 20,000 in population to improve their community facilities (including libraries), enhance educational opportunities, and improve economic conditions. Specifically, eligible purposes include:
- Construct, enlarge, extend, or improve essential community facilities
- Obtain necessary equipment for the operation of these facilities
- Reasonable fees such as engineering, legal, administrative environmental analysis, surveys, and planning
- Cost of acquiring interest in land; rights, such as water rights, leases, permits, and rights-of-way Continue reading ‘ARRA Grant Money Available for Rural Libraries’
Published by
Sharon on
October 30, 2009 in
Butterfly Project.
Tags: ARRA, broadband funding, Butterfly Project, CE Forum, CLiC, Colorado State Library, Continuing Education, CSL Update, Gates Foundation, I'm an online learner, Public Library Standards.
Gene Hainer has compiled an update of Colorado State Library initiatives and activities.
Current CSL Funding Initiatives
- Broadband – Round 2 of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) should be available by December. The CSL will work with libraries on a proposal to create regionally-based mobile computer labs for library and community use. Continue reading ‘Colorado State Library Update’
Last week I visited Carol Lee Dugan, Library Director, at the Monte Vista Carnegie library. We were talking about the broadband initiative. Here is what is happening in her town.
Carol was approached by her local telecom company to see if the library would be interested in loaning out video cameras. The company wanted to insert this collaborative piece into their grant proposal.
Carol is also in discussion with a renewable energy company who wants to install a thermal pump heating system at their new branch in South Fork. Tax credits may be available for investing in renewable energy. Can anyone else add to this discussion about the advantages of using tax credits? Of course the library will have to pick up part of the funds to install, but in the long run it could prove a good long term solution to rising energy prices. Finally…
Continue reading ‘ARRA talk in rural Colorado’
The Colorado State Library continues to update Colorado libraries about ARRA via http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/LibraryDevelopment/PublicLibraries/ARRA.htm
Below is a message State Library Executive Director Gene Hainer sent to public library directors this week:
Three updates to the ARRA page on www.ColoradoStateLibrary.org:
1. Several months ago a firm related to the B&M Gates’ Foundation contacted you or your IT staff to gather data about broadband access, speed, funding, oversight and other elements in Colorado libraries. The results of that effort are posted on the ARRA site, http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/LibraryDevelopment/PublicLibraries/ARRA.htm.
2. Besides the full excel sheet with 98% of the state’s libraries included, there is a one-page overview that may be helpful for your Boards, civic leaders, or vendors.
Continue reading ‘Colorado Libraries and ARRA’
It’s been strangely difficult for library leaders in Colorado and the U.S. to stay abreast of opportunities for securing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding, particularly tied to investment in computer networking (broadband) for libraries. Why? There has been little detail provided to libraries about application criteria and procedures.
Happily, several librarians in Colorado and at the State Library have been tracking this topic!
A “broadband update” memo [pdf] has been released by the State Library, summarizing activities and progress to date. The State library also is maintaining a general ARRA Resources page for libraries.
The Trinidad newspaper The Times Independent printed “Libary, Workforce Center unite to aid job seekers” By Nancy Ellis. Continue reading ‘Library Trend – Library and Work Force Partnerships’
Is the economic crisis effecting your library? Do you need some assistance?
We need your input!
From Gene Hainer:
As the state explores the various funding streams associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) we are seeking your input to determine needs and possible uses of ARRA funds in Colorado libraries.“You can help by answering the questions at http://surveys.lrs.org/respond.php?sid=53. Please try to respond by *March 30*. It should take 5-10 minutes.
Continue reading ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)’
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