Grant Details

Libraries are invited to apply for funding that supports a new or improved program or service that will solve a specific problem or meet an identified need of the library's current or potential users. This competitive grant program allows libraries to focus on meeting their users' needs by developing a project that has a user-focused need statement, defined outcomes, a timeline with a series of actions spread out over the funding period, and an evaluation that measures how well the outcomes were met.

Projects need to support one of the goals from North Carolina's LSTA Five Year Plan. Each goal is based on identified needs, strives toward excellence and equity in North Carolina's libraries, and is related to one or more of the eight LSTA priorities.

• Goal 1: Community Engagement. North Carolina libraries will provide inclusive, user-focused services that enable community-wide growth and transformation. 
• Goal 2: Equitable Access. North Carolinians will have equitable access to information and technology needed to learn, live, govern, and work. 
• Goal 3: Responsive Organizations. North Carolina libraries will be places that all people find welcoming and accessible through sustainable organizational practices focused on inclusion, development, and community responsiveness. 

Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Consulting or contractual services - applicants must select the consultant before the application is submitted and demonstrate in the application that the proposed consultant is qualified to perform the needed work or service; the selected consultant is subject to State Library approval;
• Evaluation to show the extent to which the project has met its goals;
• Furnishing that are necessary to support the project;
• Hardware, software, and/or technology necessary to support the project;
• Indirect costs;
• Library materials that are necessary to support the project;
• Outsourcing for digitization of specialized items may be allowable when provided with the rationale for doing so and showing that this approach is appropriate and cost effective;
• Postage and printing costs for project materials;
• Salaries and benefits for temporary staff to be employed for the project OR temporary staff to be employed to cover duties of full-time personnel while the full-time person works on the project. Temporary staff means part-time or fulltime personnel hired specifically to help carry out the project, or additional hours for existing part-time staff. The project description should clearly explain the need for added staff.
• Supplies necessary to support the project;
• Travel and/or training expenses related to the project for library or project staff;
• Vehicles for bookmobiles, library outreach, mobile libraries etc.; and
• Other expenses that are reasonable and necessary to support the project.