Instructions for Great Stories CLUB Online Application

( Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books)

1. Welcome to Great Stories CLUB!

Thank you for your interest in Great Stories CLUB. Here you will find instructions for using the online application form, available at http://ppo.ala.org/gscwebapp/. The home page for Great Stories CLUB is http://www.ala.org/greatstories. A few notes about this application:

• You must have JavaScript enabled to complete the application at this time. Functionality for non-JavaScript capable browsers will be added on or before October 1st, 2009. If you need this functionality, feel free to wait until then to complete your application.
• All applications must be submitted to ALA no later than 11:59 PM CST, November 2, 2009. Late applications will not be considered.

2. Getting Started

The first thing you will need to do is create a profile. From the welcome screen of the application form, click the link to create a new profile. You will be prompted to enter your email address and to pick a password. (Note: the email address you enter here will be used for communications from our system, including password resets and confirmation of a completed application. You will have a chance to enter another email address, e.g., for your library, within the application itself.) Your password must be at least four characters long. If you forget your password at any time, you may visit this page to reset it. An email will be sent to you with instructions on how to reset your password.

Once you've successfully created a profile, you will be logged in and may begin entering information for your application. If you already have a profile, you may log in here.

3. Completing the Application

The application consists of three sections, followed by a review page. The sections are accessible via the navigation links on the left hand side of the page. You may fill the sections out in any order you choose. You may also save your work at any point and come back to complete your application later.

3.1 Contact Information

In the first section, you will enter your name and information for the library for which you are applying. (There is a field to include your ALA membership number---please note that you do not have to be an ALA member in order to apply. This field is optional. ALA membership in no way affects your chances of receiving an award.) We will need your first and last name, the name and address of your library, an email address and telephone number, and the type of library for which you are applying. If any of those fields are left blank, the application will stop and let you know.

Libraries which do not directly serve troubled teens are required to partner with an organization which does. (If you have questions as to whether or not you will be required to work with a partner, please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.) Possible partner organizations include juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children, shelters serving homeless and runaway youth, and other agencies. If you will be working with a partner, you can enter information for that organization here.

3.2 Program Description

The second part of the application consists of a short description of your program, to be entered in the field labeled "Program Description." This description is formatted in plain text and must not exceed 3200 characters, or roughly 425 words. In this section, please be sure to address the following topics:

• Describe the population from which the book club will be drawn (include information such as participant age, gender, background, etc.)
• If you are partnering with another organization, what is the nature of the partnership? (include history, plans for future programs, etc.)
• How will participation be achieved?
• When do you plan to host the book discussions?
• If you are applying for grants on behalf of more than one library or partnership, please be sure that your narrative addresses plans for each GSC program that will be implemented.

In addition to the Program Description, this page includes a field labeled "Budget Narrative." ALA will select up to 50 libraries to receive small cash grants of $100, $150 and $200 to support program related expenses. Cash grants will be awarded based on need, as well as the overall contribution that the proposed activities will make to the program. If you wish to apply for such a grant, you may include an additional essay in this field. Please note that this field is optional---you may include it or not, with no effect on your chances of receiving the award. Like the Program Description, the Budget Narrative is formatted in plain text, and limited to 3200 characters.

3.3 Additional Programs (Optional)

In this optional section, you may include additional libraries for which you would like to apply. For example, an application may be submitted for multiple libraries within a state or regional correctional system, several branch libraries within a public library system (each working with a community partner), or for different programs run by the same library (each program with its own community partner). With questions about eligibility, please contact publicprograms@ala.org.

Applicants who are applying on behalf of a single location should skip this step and proceed to the Review/Submit page.

4. Reviewing and Submitting Your Application

Once you have completed entering information for your application, review your information and make sure everything is correct. After your application is submitted, it will no longer be possible to edit your information. You may click back through the application using the navigation links, or review your full application using the link provided on this page. This link will remain available after you submit your application, if you wish to review your submitted information or print a copy of your application for your records.

In addition, you will be prompted to review and agree to a statement certifying that you have read and reviewed your application, that you are authorized to apply on behalf of your library, and that you have reviewed the awards material and find it suitable for your teen audience. You may certify the application yourself, providing your name, or you may list the appropriate authorizing official at your library and certify the application with their permission.

Once these steps have been completed, you can click "Submit Application" to send your application to ALA. All applications must be submitted to ALA no later than 11:59 PM CST, November 2, 2009. Late applications will not be considered.

5. Finished!

After your application is submitted, you will receive an email confirming that we have received it. If anything else is required of you, ALA will contact you using the information provided. (As noted, once the application is submitted, information may not be changed through the web form.) Logging into your profile after your application is submitted will take you to a page where you may view or print your application.