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LTC: Models for Change

Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change

Travel Stipends for Rural Libraries Guidelines

Date Posted: Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Deadline for Submission: Friday, March 9, 2018 by 11:59 pm (CST)

Award Notification Date: Monday, March 26, 2018

Questions?

Before starting, read the travel stipend FAQ and carefully review the requirements in each category for the travel stipend before applying.

Contact the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office staff at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org.

Table of Contents

I. Program Description

Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Models for Change is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) and National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD).

The initiative seeks to introduce libraries to various dialogue and deliberation approaches, enabling libraries to foster conversation and lead change in their communities. LTC: Models for Change offers a series of web-based and in-person workshops, free of charge, specially designed for public and academic libraries.

Through a partnership with the ALA Center for the Future of Libraries, all participants will receive digital badges in recognition of their participation.

LTC: Models for Change is the second phase of ALA's Libraries Transforming Communities initiative. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant RE-40-16-0137-16. Learn more about the first phase of the project, offered in 2014-15 in partnership with The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation.

II. Award Information

Twenty-five public libraries serving small and/or rural communities will be selected to receive an $800 travel stipend to send one employee to a one-day pre-conference workshop for LTC: Models for Change Series 3 at ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans on June 22, 2018.

III. Eligibility

  • This opportunity is open to public libraries serving small and/or rural communities.
  • Late, incomplete and ineligible applications will not be reviewed.

IV. Requirements

Librarians receiving the travel stipend agree to:

  • Participate in the three 90-minute webinars for LTC: Models for Change Series 3 in advance of the pre-conference.
  • Participate in the one-day, in-person pre-conference for LTC: Models for Change Series 3 on Friday, June 22, 2018, at the 2018 ALA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Below are the dates, times and registration information for the webinars and in-person workshop.

Introduction to Dialogue & Deliberation for Public Libraries Serving Small, Mid-Sized and/or Rural Communities February 28, 2018
1:00 – 2:30 pm (Central)
Future Search April 25, 2018
1:00 – 2:30 pm (Central)
Conversation Café May 23, 2018
1:00 – 2:30 pm (Central)
In-person Workshop (2018 ALA Annual Conference) June 22, 2018
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

V. Application and Submission Information

ALA will accept applications for the LTC: Models for Change travel stipend between August 15, 2017, and March 9, 2018.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before applying.

Getting Started

To begin the application process, go to http://apply.ala.org/ltc2018/home

To apply for the LTC: Models for Change travel stipend, you must complete the following steps:

  • REGISTER on apply.ala.org (if you have not previously registered when applying for a different ALA project)
  • LOG IN (if you have already registered when applying for a different ALA project)
  • COMPLETE APPLICANT AND INSTITUTION INFORMATION
  • WRITE THE TRAVEL STIPEND NARRATIVE
  • UPLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  • SIGN APPLICATION
  • REVIEW AND EDIT YOUR APPLICATION
  • SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
  1. Register

    2. Before you access the application, you must register to create an application account.

    OR

  2. Log In

    3. If you have already registered when applying for another ALA Public Programs Office grant project, you may log in using your e-mail address and password.

  3. Complete Applicant Information

    4. Note: The applicant is the library applying to send a staff member to attend and participate in the LTC: Models for Change Series 3 webinars and in-person workshop.

    To complete Step 3, provide all the information that is requested on the Applicant Information screen. You must then save the information.

    After clicking the "SAVE" button, you will be able to return to the application at any time and log in using your e-mail address and password. This will allow you to edit, save, and return to your application as needed prior to the March 9, 2018 submission deadline.

  4. Complete Institution Information

    5. Note: To qualify for this travel stipend, the designated participant must be employed by a library serving a small and/or rural community.

    To complete Step 4, provide all the information that is requested on the Institution Information screen. You must then save the information.

  5. Write Travel Stipend Narrative

    6. Before you compose the narrative part of this application, we strongly recommend that you read these guidelines carefully. If you do not, your application is unlikely to be competitive. Please note that each narrative may not exceed 500 words.

    1. Describe your library's plans for community engagement and how you hope this training will enhance your library's services. Please include information about the community your library serves, including demographics. Be sure to discuss the benefits your community may receive from your library's participation in this training, as well as how you feel the opportunity fits into your professional vision for your work.
    2. Has your library participated in community dialogue or facilitation training in the past? Yes/ No
      1. If yes, please list the training or models learned and how they have been applied at your library. Please include information about how the Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change workshop will complement your prior training, or the additional skills you hope this training will provide.
    3. Describe some of the key issues or challenges that people in your library's community are facing. How do you think your library could contribute or show leadership in response to these issues or challenges?
  6. Upload Letter of Recommendation
    1. Upload Letter of Support from Library
      2.

      Upload a letter of support from the library director. If the applicant is a library director, letter of support may be from direct supervisor, board chair, or trustee.

    2. Upload Letter of Recommendations
      3.

      Upload one letter of recommendation for the staff member whom you wish to send to the training. Letter of recommendation should be from a profession reference (e.g. supervisor, library director, board member, trustee, community partner).

    3. Upload Resume/Biography
      4.

      Upload the resume or biography of the staff member whom you wish to send to the training.

  7. Sign Application

    8. An application for a Libraries Transforming Communities: Models for Change travel stipend is an application for an award from ALA, using funding provided by an award from IMLS. ALA is required by law to ask applicants to identify for each application a certifying official who is authorized to submit applications for funding on behalf of the organization.

    To complete this section, you must enter all the information that is requested.

  8. Review and Edit Your Application

    9. The Review and Edit page summarizes all the information that you have entered. From this page you can:

    • review and edit each section;
    • save the entire application and log out of the system; or
    • move ahead to certify and submit your application.

  9. Submit Your Application

    10. Once you have completed all parts of your application, you may submit it at any time by selecting the Submit button. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CST on March 9, 2018. Applications submitted after that time will be ineligible.

    Note that once you have submitted your application, you can no longer alter it. The application will then be submitted for review.

    You will receive an e-mail confirming submission of your application. At the confirmation page you will be able to print out a copy of your application. Print and keep this copy for your records.

VI. Application Review

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Clarity and completeness of the application. Has the applicant supplied all required information, including all sections of the statement of intent and supporting materials?
  • Size and type of community the applicant's library serves.
  • Demonstration of library leadership that will support implementation.

Applicants are encouraged to address questions about the selection guidelines, process, and requirements to the ALA Public Programs Office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org.

Review and Selection Process

Each application will be assessed by a panel of librarians and project staff of ALA. ALA's Public Programs Office will make the final decisions.

VII. Award Administration Information

Application deadline: Friday, March 9, 2018 11:59 pm (CST)

Award notification: Monday, March 26, 2018

Cash grant distributed by: Monday, April 2, 2018

VIII. Points of Contact

If you have questions, contact:

Public Programs Office

American Library Association

1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045

publicprograms@ala.org

Sign In

To access the application system, sign in with your apply.ala.org profile.