Using Grant-Funded Projects to Attract New Partners and Funders

The Public Library Association (PLA) and ALA’s Public Programs Office regularly offer competitive grant opportunities to libraries. This work supports seeding and sharing innovations while building capacity in local libraries. But grant funds are time- and project-limited. In this conversation, hear from past grantees about how they leveraged an ALA award to increase or improve service to their communities, grow partnerships, attract new funding, and sustain key work. ALA and PLA staff will also share their approach to granting and where to look for future opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand PLA and ALA's approach to granting, and know where to look for opportunities;
• Understand how awarded grants can be used to attract new partners and funding; and
• Understand best practices for sustaining grant-funded programs and services.

Additional Resources

• "Together with AT&T, PLA launches new DigitalLearn courses; announces new incentive program for library digital literacy workshops" (May 10, 2022)
• DigitalLearn.org
• DigitalLearn Tools and Resources for Trainers
• Digital Literacy Impact Report
• Outcome Measurement for Public Libraries
• Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities
• ALA Public Programs Office
• Swansea (MA) Free Public Library:
  • Digital Equity Plan (PDF)
• Berkeley (CA) Public Library:
  • Data Charts (PDF; created with Flourish)
• Chat Transcript (PDF)

Who Should Attend

This free on-demand webinar is intended for all public library staff.

Panelists

Wyatt Packard (he/him) is a library manager at Lincoln City Libraries in Nebraska, where he leads the Walt Branch Library team. With thirteen years of experience in public libraries, Wyatt brings a collaborative approach to leadership, focused on enhancing access, preserving intellectual freedom, and supporting the professional development of library staff. He currently serves on the boards of both the Nebraska Library Association and the Southeast Library System, and is the president of the Academic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska.

Sonya Harsha (she/her) has worked as the young adult librarian for Algona Public Library in Algona, IA since 2007. She enjoys sharing practical life skills with young people and hopes to challenge them to try new things. One of her greatest rewards is seeing a young person develop confidence in themselves and what they can accomplish. Her position was recently expanded to include programming for adults, including basic computer instruction that has been supported by DigitalLearn.org and a grant program through PLA and AT&T.

Jocelyn Tavares (she/her) is currently the director of the Swansea Free Public Library in Swansea, MA. She has worked in libraries for over twenty years in various roles as a director, in program planning and publicity, and "other duties as assigned." She currently serves as secretary with the Southeastern Massachusetts Library Advocates, a member of the Public Relations Advisory Committee with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and a former chair of the PR Committee of the Massachusetts Library Association.

Kasey Breien (she/her) is an adult service librarian at Berkeley Public Library in California. She works with Kelsey Ockert to create tech programing as well as co-running the drop in tech classes. In addition to tech programs she works closely with the Berkeley READS literacy program running groups such as English Conversation Club and Intro to Citizenship.

Kelsey Ockert (she/her) is an adult reference librarian. She works alongside Kasey Breien to create tech programming at the Berkeley (CA) Public Library along with co-running the drop in tech help classes. Kelsey also runs a monthly science event, two annual comic book events and other nerdy programs. She previously worked at Princeton Public Library as their technology librarian. Empowering people to connect with technology is her favorite part of library work.

Accommodations

This on-demand webinar is captioned in English (United States).

If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your access to this on-demand webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) prior to registering so we can attempt to provide appropriate accommodations.

Tech Requirements

To play this on-demand webinar you should use a browser with native HTML5 support. Please use the most up-to-date version available of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, or Edge. A fast Internet connection and computer is recommended.