Grants Summary

Collections Grant (formerly known as the ESG)

  • Amount is based on library service levels for service population as defined in the SKPL
  • Purpose – to improve local collections and extend resource sharing in the region with physical and digital circulating materials
  • Schedule – funds are available on account and available to spend beginning January 1, 2023, contingent on receipt of the annual agreement. Funds must be spent or encumbered by the date specified by the NCKLS Business Manager in early December.
  • Complete the annual agreement in December by the designated deadline with appropriate signatures and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the annual agreement.
  • Reporting requirements– report total number of items purchased with grant funds on the NCKLS annual report.

Per Capita

  • Amount – a combination of a base amount and per capita formula approved by the System board and the population reported in the annual Kansas Public Library Survey.
  • Purpose – to help libraries meet standards in the SKPL that are identified locally and to level funding for the wide population differences in the service level ranges defined in the SKPL. The library may use their discretion when it comes to spending these funds.
  • Schedule – Checks will be mailed to the library by mid-May, contingent on receipt of the annual agreement and meeting all eligibility requirements.
  • Complete the annual agreement in December by the designated deadline with appropriate signatures and meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the annual agreement.
  • Reporting requirements – report how the library used the funds on the NCKLS annual report. Estimates for work and/or receipts for purchases are not required.

Postage Grant

  • Amount – NCKLS will reimburse libraries that are not on the courier for loaning a minimum number of 20 items annually.
  • Reimbursement rate will be the USPS media mail rate up to 2 pounds per item up to a total of $500. More on the rate can be found here: https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c059
  • Annual number of loans is self-reported by the library on the State Library of Kansas’ annual report.
  • Purpose – to facilitate interlibrary loan and resource sharing from libraries that do not participate in the courier service.
  • Schedule – Checks will be mailed to the library by mid-April 2023.
  • Application process –as outlined in the annual agreement.
  • Reporting requirements – report the number of items that were loaned to other libraries on the SLK’s annual public library survey.

Technology Grant

  • Amount – up to $1,000 per application with a limit of one application per library per year.
  • Purpose – to help libraries meet SKPL standards for automation and technology.
  • Schedule – libraries may apply anytime during the year up until November 15th. Applications will be reviewed, and awards made within 30 days. Funds must be spent or encumbered by the date specified by the NCKLS Business Manager in early December.
  • Application process – as outlined in the annual agreement. In addition, complete a technology grant application here: http://lib.nckls.org/grants/tech-grant/. NCKLS staff will review and approve or consult with the library if not approved.
  • Reporting is not required if estimates are approved of or provided by the NCKLS Technology Consultant as part of the application process. Receipts for purchases are not required.

Programming Grant

  • Amount – $300 per year
  • Purpose – To help libraries provide engaging and enriching programs to their communities
  • Schedule – libraries may apply anytime during the year up until November 15th. Applications will be reviewed and awarded in 30 days.  Funds must be spent or encumbered by the date specified by the NCKLS Business Manager in early December.
  • Application process – as outlined in the annual agreement. In addition, complete a program grant application here: http://lib.nckls.org/grants/good-idea-grant. NCKLS staff will review and approve or consult with the library if not approved.
  • Reporting requirements – report how the library used the funds on the NCKLS annual report. Receipts for purchases are not required.

Continuing Education Grant

  • Amount –a maximum of $500 will be allowed per library to cover the cost of attendance at a conference, workshop or webinar.
  • Purpose – to help libraries meet SKPL for the development and training of library staff and board members.
  • Schedule – libraries may apply anytime during the year up until November 15th. Applications will be reviewed and awarded in 30 days.
  • Application process – complete a continuing education grant application here: http://lib.nckls.org/grants/ce-grant/. NCKLS staff will review and approve or consult with the library if not approved.
  • Reporting requirements – report how the library used the funds on the CE Report.
  • Receipts for event registrations are not required.

Courier Grant

  • Amount – NCKLS will match 80% of the total annual courier fees for libraries participating in the Kansas Library Express in 2023.
  • Purpose – to facilitate interlibrary loan and resource sharing in the region and across the state
  • Schedule – NCKLS directly pays a share of the courier to the service provider. The service provider will bill the library for the remaining amount in January or when participation begins.
  • Application process – as outlined in the annual agreement. In addition, the library signs an annual agreement with the service provider in January or when participation begins. The courier service notifies NCKLS.
  • Reporting requirements – report and agree to all terms as instructed on the KLE website and submit monthly statistics at https://kslibexpress.mykansaslibrary.org/.
  • Libraries with unreported statistics will not receive a 80% match for this grant.

Digital Resources Grant

  • Amount – the amount of the grant equals the fee based on the size of the library to join the Sunflower eLibrary. The following are the fees:
    • Gateway Library with populations under 500 = $600
    • Linking Library with populations between 500 – 1,000 = $900
    • Service Center 1 Library with population between 1,000 – 2,500 = $1500
    • Service Center 2 Library with population between 2,500 – 10,000 = $3000
    • Major Service Center 2 with population between 25,000 – 100,000 = $6000

OR

  • The equivalent dollar amount listed above to purchase digital materials in the format or on the platform of the library’s choice. If this option is chosen in lieu of the Sunflower eLibrary, the library must submit a specific plan for a platform or purchases and will be asked to provide invoices unless a local Baker & Taylor account is used to purchase the digital items.  This option is only available in 2023, so will not be ongoing in order to encourage more of our libraries to join the Sunflower eLibrary, which will be ongoing.
  • Purpose – Ensure all taxing libraries have access to lend popular digital materials and to increase adoption of digital materials in rural areas of the region.
  • Schedule – libraries will need to renew in December annually by signing this agreement. There is also a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that must be in place to be in the NCKLS group within Sunflower eLibrary annually.
  • Reporting requirements – report your library’s annual usage statistics on digital items in the NCKLS annual report.

Competitive Grant

  • Amount – varies annually based on our budget and focus for the year.
  • The process is competitive amongst any taxing library that applies. Contract libraries are not eligible to apply.
  • A review committee of Library Directors and system consultants from the region will score applications and make decisions for funding.
  • Purpose – to provide larger amounts of funding in order to do substantive projects within the region in high need areas. Areas of possible funding are facilities, professional services, furniture/fixtures, marketing, digital collections, partnerships, automation/digitization or other areas. The executive committee bases the decision on regional needs and current library trends.
  • Schedule – guidelines will be issued by late summer and the area of funding for that year will be outlined. Applications are due by September 15th, libraries will be notified of an award by November 1st.
  • All libraries will be notified how they scored and which areas they need to improve, regardless if a grant is awarded.
  • Reporting requirements – reports will be due May 15th as the projects run from December through April of the following year. Receipts for work, materials, services, etc. must be submitted that align with the original grant budget submitted.  All funds must be expended within a 5-month timeframe, the project must be completed within that timeline. 

    Updated: 6/15/2023

Service Improvement Grant

  • Amount – up to $1,000 per application. Limit of one application per library per year.
  • Purpose – to help libraries meet SKPL standards for facilities, staffing or planning and community engagement.
  • Schedule – libraries may apply anytime during the year up until November 15th. Applications will be reviewed and awarded in 30 days.  Funds must be spent or encumbered by the date specified by the NCKLS Business Manager in early December.
  • Application process – as outlined in the annual agreement. In addition, complete a service improvement grant application here: http://lib.nckls.org/grants/service-improvement-grant/. NCKLS staff will review and approve or consult with the library if not approved.
  • Reporting requirements – report how the library used the funds on the NCKLS annual report. Receipts for purchases are not required.
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