[lstac] Easy process for ordering lots of supplies for libraries?!

[Shannan Furlow]

We've had the same issues and complaints from our libraries. We've tried
both direct purchase and subawards for our libraries. The only items we
have successfully purchased for libraries is tech. However, our parent
agency insists we maintain ownership of the devices because we purchased
them, which is a headache. We then tried subawards, but that option
requires a great deal of paperwork. Currently, we operate on a hybrid
model: half the items are purchased by us and directly shipped to
libraries, while the other half are handled through subawards with
associated paperwork. I would love to hear ideas from other state libraries
and join if a meeting takes place. This topic is a big deal from my
leadership team!

On Wed, Oct 15, 2025 at 8:49 AM Reish, Karren (MDE) via lstac <
lstac at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> I am also interested in this and have the same issues/questions. Would
> anyone be willing to meet to discuss whose worked on how to deal with this?
> I’m going to have to restart our summer grant program for next summer and
> would love an easier way to do it for both myself and my libraries.
>
>
>
> Karren Reish
>
> Library Grants Coordinator
>
> Library of Michigan
>
> 517-241-0021 / www.mi.gov/lsta
>
>
>
> *From:* lstac <lstac-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> *On Behalf Of *Baffoni,
> Nicolette (OLIS) via lstac
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 14, 2025 4:49 PM
> *To:* LSTA Coordinators Listserv <lstac at omls.oregon.gov>
> *Subject:* [lstac] Easy process for ordering lots of supplies for
> libraries?!
>
>
>
> *CAUTION: This is an External email. Please send suspicious emails to
> abuse at michigan.gov <abuse at michigan.gov>*
>
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
>
>
> We're considering providing more prescriptive summer reading programming
> to our libraries with our LSTA funds to replace our current non-competitive
> programming grants for hands-on learning experiences. Those grants are only
> for $900 and many of our libraries feel they are too much work for the
> money. We are considering developing something like program kits/programs
> in a box, with a program description/script/lesson designed by us, the
> program supplies and perhaps some supplemental books to support the program
> and ideas for how to use them in the context of the program, etc. etc.
>
>
>
> If we give the libraries the funds to purchase our predetermined supplies
> and books, we still have to do that as grants with the same state-mandated
> process and administrative burden that they have now, minus the creative
> thinking of designing their own programs. That helps some but I worry
> libraries would have their same old issues with using our GMS and reporting
> and requesting funds that we have now. We would love to just purchase it
> all ourselves and ship it out to libraries, but then we're looking at
> difficult procurement processes, going out to bid for supplies, and so on.
> In the past we built circulating kits for ourselves by giving a grant to
> the large public library that operates our statewide databases; they did
> the ordering for us, but we found that process frustrating since we had no
> control over the ordering process, no insight into shipping, and in the end
> we found communication was lacking and that the library just generally
> lacked the capacity to handle this extra project.
>
>
>
> I know procurement and purchasing rules are different in every state, but
> has anyone ever done anything like this and figured out a fairly simple,
> reasonable, perhaps creative way to get supplies to libraries?
>
>
>
> Thanks!
>
> Nicolette
>
>
>
> Nicolette Baffoni
>
> Library Program Manager
>
> Office of Library & Information Services
>
> State of Rhode Island | Department of Administration
>
> One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI  02908
>
> 401-574-9316 | *www.olis.ri.gov <http://www.olis.ri.gov/>*
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


-- 

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<https://georgialibraries.org/>

Shannan R. Furlow, MLIS

Director of LSTA and Sponsored Programs

------------------------------

​Georgia Public Library Service

​2872 Woodcock Blvd, Suite 250 | ​Atlanta, GA 30341

(404) 235-7137 | sfurlow at georgialibraries.org

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