The economy of the last few years has made many aware of the need for more financial literacy.  The American Library Association partnered with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to create  http://smartinvesting.ala.org/, a program that addresses the growing need for unbiased financial and investor education at the

Idaho Power is offering Powering Tomorrow Grants to recognize organizations that work to further educational excellence in unique ways. Libraries and other educators can tell their education story at www.facebook.com/idahopower by Jan.31, 2012 and their organization could be the recipient of a grant.

Has your library completed a successful marketing campaign? Then here is your chance to share your story for the chance to win $10,000. 

Districting projects demonstrate to the community what a well funded library might look like. Projects are specific to the library and focus on patron benefit, improving such things as the library's collection, public access computing, increased hours of operation, increased staffing as well as other things more specific to the community.

On February 19th, the Board of Library Commissioners awarded all five of the 2010 LSTA Competitive Grant applications submitted.

Responses to the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey at www.plinternetsurvey.org increased significantly in the last week. A big thank you to those who have completed it!

Now that you have decided which road to take on your continuing education journey, you may have also discovered you need some financial assistance. Here are some resources to consider:

The FY 2010 Library Services and Technology Act.(LSTA) Allocation Plan is posted on this website under Funding. This document is a brief overview of Idaho's LSTA grant programs and the Eligibility Checklist provides information for potential applicant libraries to verify their eligibility to apply.

The American Library Association's Office for Literacy and Outreach Services with support from Verizon Communications, is offering grants to public, school, or academic librarians who have found a creative way to connect literacy and gaming. Grants are designed to help librarians expand and further develop innovative literacy gaming services for children and youth between the ages of 10 and 18.

As a result of a collaborative effort among the Idaho Library Association, First Lady Lori Otter, the Idaho Community Foundation and the ICFL, the Wal-Mart Foundation has provided $98,000 in one-time funds to support "Strengthening Library Services for Youth in Idaho."