<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Hello! I’m writing to share another grant opportunity that may be of interest to public libraries in your area.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Three traveling exhibitions are available – <i>Explore Earth: Our Changing Planet, Explore Space: Our Solar System and Beyon</i>d, and <i>Explore Tech: Engineers Make a World of Difference</i>. Each requires only 200 square feet of display space, making them a good choice for small libraries or those without much extra space.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please let me know if you have questions or visit <a target="_blank" href="http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Explore" style="color:purple">http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Explore</a>. Thanks!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">**************</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b>Apply to host a space, earth science or technology exhibition at your public library</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in collaboration with the Space Science Institute’s <i>National Center for Interactive Learning</i>, the Lunar and Planetary Institute and the Afterschool Alliance, invites public libraries to apply to host one of three science- and technology-focused traveling exhibitions.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The exhibitions — which are ideal for small libraries, requiring only 200 square feet of display space — are designed to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning opportunities for all ages.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Applicants may apply for one of the following exhibitions:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-style:normal"> </span></em></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Explore Earth</span></em><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">:</span></i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <i>Our Changing Planet</i><span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"> will focus on local earth science topics — such as weather, the water cycle and ecosystem changes — as well as a global view of our changing planet. The primary message of the exhibition is that the global environment changes — and is changed by — the local environment of all host communities.</span></span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-style:normal">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span></em><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Explore Space:</span></i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <i>Our Solar System and Beyond</i> helps visitors answer the age-old questions: Where did we come from, and are we alone? The exhibition will teach audiences about our universe, including how stars and planetary systems form and the role that gravity plays in our universe.</span><em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-style:normal"></span></em></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial">Explore Tech</span></em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">:<i> Engineers Make a World of Difference</i> <span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial">shows how engineering provides solutions to better meet human needs and develops sustainable innovations for the future. It features hands-on and multimedia components that allow exhibit visitors to interact with content in a dynamic way, encouraging new perspectives about engineers and their vital work. </span><span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"></span></span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Full guidelines and an online application are available at <a target="_blank" href="http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Explore" style="color:purple"><b></b></a><b><a href="http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Explore" target="_blank" style="color:purple">http://apply.ala.org/STARNet-Explore</a></b>. The application deadline is Sept. 18, 2015. Each exhibition will travel to 13 or 14 public libraries from 2016 to 2018.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">All grantees will receive:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">one exhibition for an eight-week display period; shipping is free for grantees;</span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a cash grant of $1,000 to cover the cost of public programming related to the exhibition;</span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">a publicity kit and media resources for a STEM @ My Library public engagement campaign;</span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">an orientation webinar that will include information about content and science themes, a presentation and demonstration of hands-on science activities by the Lunar and Planetary Institute, and presentations and interactive discussions about programming resources;</span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">periodic webinars on timely STEM topics to support programming in libraries;</span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">an <i>Explore</i> teacher guide, family guide and hands-on activities for different age groups to help libraries develop programs and support classroom visits; </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">and</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></span></p><p class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:13.3333330154419px"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">-<span style="font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;font-family:'Times New Roman'"> </span></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">access to the STAR_Net Online Community and a national network of STEM-oriented organizations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Grantees will be required to plan public programs related to the exhibition and to participate in the STAR_Net Online Community throughout the exhibition period.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><em><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial">The Explore</span></em><span class=""> exhibitions </span><span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial">are made possible through the support of the National Science Foundation. The exhibition and its educational support materials and outreach opportunities are part of the STAR (Science-Technology Activities and Resources) Library Education Network (STAR_Net), a hands-on learning program for libraries and their communities developed by the <i>National Center for Interactive Learning</i> at the Space Science Institute. For more information, </span>visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.starnetlibraries.org/" style="color:purple">www.STARnetLibraries.org</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">_______________</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Sarah Ostman</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Communications Manager</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Public Programs Office</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">American Library Association</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;font-size:11pt;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Arial,sans-serif">312-280-5061</p><div><br></div><br>
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