Continuing Education Grant categories

Conditions

• All funds are distributed to the grantee, not directly to the participant, as reimbursements after the project is complete.
• The grant applicant/grantee is the publicly funded library; library staff is a participate/attendee.
• Participants/attendees must be employed by the publicly funded library during the entire duration of the project or funds will not be reimbursed.
• Director or supervisor approval must be secured prior to submitting the application.
• Participants must agree to participate in evaluation of their experience immediate after the project and six months following.
• Failure to comply with post-project evaluation and documentation will impact approval for future grant applications.

Important Documents

Process

• Step 1 – Read & Understand Grant Requirements

  • Read the CE Grants Guide, making note of the purpose and requirements of the grant category under consideration and the steps required for application, reimbursement, evaluation, and follow up activities.

• Step 2 – Review Eligibility Requirements

  • Applying libraries must comply with the LSTA Eligibility Requirements listed on this page.

• Step 3 – Preapplication Consult

  • Everyone considering applying for CE grant funds are required to contact the CE Consultant for a consult and an invitation to apply.
  • Email / 208.639.4151

• Step 4 – Create an Account in Amplifund

  • All CE Grant applications are submitted in a grant management system called Amplifund.
  • Before the participant can start the application, their library director or grant manager must first create an account in Amplifund and add the applicant as a user.
  • The CE Consultant will provide guidance on how to complete this step in the preapplication consult.

• Step 5 – Apply 

  • The link to apply for any of the four categories of CE grant will be provided by the CE Consultant after the preapplication consult.
  • The application will be completed in Amplifund.
  • Once the application is submitted, ICfL staff will review it and make a recommendation regarding potential award within 20 business days.
  • If an award is made, a grant award packet will be sent to the library director and participant along with information for proceeding.
  • If an award is not made, the applicant will be notified of the decision.

• Step 6 – Attend/Participate in the Event

  • Save all receipts for qualifying expenses.
  • Document important takeaways and lessons learned during the experience.

• Step 7 – Complete Post-Event Forms

  • Participant will complete an evaluation and request for reimbursement in Amplifund within 30 days after completing the event.
  • Additionally, the participant will complete a final report in Amplifund after six months.

Grant Types

First Time Conference Attendance

The First Time Conference Attendance award is designed to provide the opportunity for library workers and trustees to attend regional or national library conferences for the first time, fulfilling an identified professional development need for the participant and their role in the library.

Qualifications/Conditions

• Participants are limited to one First Time Conference Grant during each State Fiscal Year (July-June).
• It must be the participant’s first time attending the conference.
• The conference must be at least 50 miles away from the participant’s library.
• Applications are due 30 calendar days prior to the start of the conference.
• Grant awards are for a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,125.
• Grant funds may be used for registration, pre-conference registration, lodging, airfare or mileage, airport shuttle/parking, airline baggage fees (1 bag each way), and public transportation.
• Grant funds may not be used for special speaker/event fees, award lunches or dinners, meals/per diem for the participant, and tips.

Library Science Course Enrollment

The Library Science Course enrollment award supports the achievement of an MLS or other library certification which requires formal training. It cannot be used for non-library related courses or degrees. This award supports a library employee to attend university or college-level library science courses or other professional development opportunities such as an ALA-Accredited Masters Degree in Library Science, State of Idaho Education Media Generalist Endorsement, the ALA’s Associate Library Support Staff Certification program, the College of Southern Idaho’s library science courses, or other credit-bearing LIS courses.

Qualifications/Conditions

• Participants are limited to one grant per academic semester/term up to a lifetime of of $7,500.
• Grant awards per semester are for a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,250.
• Grant funds may be used for course tuition, registration, books/materials, and fees.
• The applicant or applicant’s library must match the award with 25% of the total course costs.
• Applications are due 30 calendar days prior to the start of the course.

Leadership Development Activity

The Leadership Development Activity award supports a library employee to attend leadership development courses or activities provided by Idaho institutions or organizations to build leadership capacity of library staff so they can better serve their communities.

Example leadership development activities:

• Boise State University’s BA in Multidisciplinary Studies Leadership Program
• University of Idaho’s Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership Program
• College of Western Idaho’s Leadership Courses
• Lewis Clark State College’s Leadership Course
• Local Chamber of Commerce Leadership training

Qualifications/Conditions

• Grant awards are for a a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,250.
• Participants are limited to 1 Leadership Development Activity award per semester and a maximum of $3,750 over their lifetime.
• Grant funds may be used for tuition, registration and course materials.
• Grant funds may be used if travel is required. Allowable travel costs include lodging, airfare or mileage, airport shuttle/parking, airline baggage fees (one bag each way), and public transportation.
• The applicant must match the award with 25% of the total activity costs.
• Applications are due 30 calendar days prior to the start of the event.

Group Training Activity

Group Training awards are designed to provide the opportunity for library staff to receive group training on a specific topic. Training may include bringing a trainer to the library or sending several participants to a training event or conference.

Qualifications/Conditions

• Applicants may be a single library or a consortium.
• Participants may include staff or trustees from multiple libraries.
• Applicants are limited to one grant per state Fiscal Year.
• Grant awards are a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $5,000.
• The applicant or library must match the award with 25% of the total training costs.
• Costs for food may be allowable when bringing a training onsite to the library.
• When sending a group to a training event, grant funds may be used for registration, lodging, airfare or mileage, airport shuttle/parking, airline baggage fees (1 bag each way per person), and public transportation.
• Applications are due 30 calendar days prior to the start of the training event.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this program or your application please contact Continuing Education Consultant Annie Gaines at annie.gaines@libraries.idaho.gov, (208) 639-4151 or Grants/Contracts Officer Jamie Thill at jamie.thill@libraries.gov, (208) 639-4153.

This program is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries and was made possible, in part, by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.