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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello and Happy Groundhog Day!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Banks Public started off 2021 with fantastic news. We are one of 200 libraries selected to receive a grant through
<a href="http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/focusgrants">
Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small & Rural Libraries</a>, an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA).<u><span style="color:#0563C1"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m reaching out because ALA just opened a second round of LTC applications, and I highly encourage you to apply! The application is simple and relatively quick to fill out.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/focusgrants">LTC: Focus on Small & Rural Libraries</a> is a grant for those of us in small and rural communities to get funding to help us address issues
of concern in our communities. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background:#FEFEFE">Participating libraries receive training in how to lead conversations through a </span><a href="http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/online-learning" target="_blank"><span style="color:#337AB7;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:#FEFEFE">free
ALA e-course</span></a><span style="color:#494949;background:#FEFEFE"> </span><span style="background:#FEFEFE">on basic facilitation skills; host at least one conversation (in-person or virtual) with community members on a chosen topic; and receive $3,000
to support community engagement efforts. Grant funds may cover a range of expenses, including staff time and collections and technology purchases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For our grant, our library will be starting a Young Families in Conversation project which aims to connect families with children 0-5 years old with each other. Grant funds are being used for staff time, to provide some early literacy
materials, and to provide technology assistance for participating families. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">ALA has 450 more grants to give out in this second round! You can read more about the project in this
<a href="http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/01/ala-awards-community-engagement-grants-200-smallrural-libraries-invites">
press release</a> or in the <a href="http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/focusgrants/guidelines">
project guidelines</a>. Applications close on March 4.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Let me know if you have any questions about the application process and I’ll happily lend you some insight. You can also email
<a href="mailto:publicprograms@ala.org">publicprograms@ala.org</a> with any questions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Susan Cackler <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Banks Public Library<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Bradley Hand ITC"">Susan Cackler<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Library Supervisor/Programs Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Banks Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">(she/hers)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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