Grant
Guidelines
and Application
Forms

Final
Report

Funded
Projects

Five-Year
Plan

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

2007 LSTA Grant Guidelines

Amount of Grant: $200,000 (total amount available in category)

Program Contact:
Joan Clark , Library Development Division
(602) 926-3604 or 1-800-255-5841 or jclark@lib.az.us

Select an Outcome, or Use as a Model:

• The partnership leverages additional funding or popular support for the library.
• The library and partnering organization(s) develop a strategy to share and promote resources.
• A partnership creates access to materials or programs that make a difference in patrons’ lives.
• The community or local governmental officials value the library in new ways.
• Passive library users become active library advocates.
• Underserved community members use the resources of the library or partners.
• The community recognizes the library as a resource for economic development, local business, non-profit organizations and/or an active partner in the local economy.

Project Requirements:

• The applicant library must collaborate with at least one local business, non-profit, educational or community organization.
• The applicant library must promote itself as an active partner in the project.

Model Project Products:

• The library’s governing authority increases the library’s budget or protects it during times of retrenchment.
• Members of the general public/previously underserved residents speak out on a regular basis in favor of the library or partnership with the library.
• Sharing of resources allows partners to invest resources in new materials or projects.
• A community needs survey defines the needs of previously unserved citizens.
• The library is an integral player in a local economic development plan.
• Training events for local businesses or organizations result in benefits to participants.
• A positive relationship between the library and partner(s) leads to long-term collaboration.

Sample Evaluation Models:

• Documentation of a change in the library’s status, such as an increase in funding or support.
• Pre- and post-customer feedback surveys measure if the partnership has increased the visibility of/support of/value of/customer satisfaction of the partners in the community.
• Customer satisfaction surveys document the differences that partnership has made in individual lives.
• Surveys or interviews are compiled to demonstrate that the public policy makers and the community have an increased understanding of libraries as community economic engines.

Sample Activities:

• A specialist in the field of grant writing is brought to the library to facilitate a full-day workshop for non-profit organizations.
• A new computer Web site is developed that promotes all local cultural heritage attractions using digitized information and images.
• A series of new small business seminars are developed at the library.
• An economic development summit is convened leading to a local, small business economic development plan.
• Public policy makers and local business and community leaders meet to address economic issues and the role of local libraries as community convener and information source.
• The library and an educational institution host joint lectures and workshops, and create publicity about current world, national or local events.
• A library and local museum create a Web site allowing easy public access to materials and programs of the two organizations.
• In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, local libraries and museums develop a new traveling display or kiosk that can be used outside the area to help promote cultural heritage tourism.

top of page

Updated:  11/22/2006