1. Basic Grants: These non-competitive grants are distributed in equal amounts among eligible applicants. These awards support existing library operations and ensure maintenance of a minimum level of core public library service. A supplemental Education/Assessment Option is available to provide funding for library staff to present and/or attend continuing education/training and to support on-site professional assessments of library operations by a consultant.

Estimated 2005 grant amount: $5,000 plus $1,000 for optional Education/Assessment Option (one-year grant period)

2. Enhancement Grants: These competitive grants support projects to enhance existing library services or implement new library services, particularly projects that:

• establish or enhance electronic linkages among or between libraries;
• link libraries electronically with educational, social or information services;
• help libraries access information through electronic networks;
• encourage libraries in different areas and different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources;
• pay costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies; or
• target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities.

Estimated 2005 grant amount: up to $150,000 (one- or two-year grant period)

Tribes applying for these funds must provide proof of existing library operations; at a minimum, the library must have regularly scheduled hours, staff, and materials available for library users.  In order to be eligible to receive an Enhancement Grant, a tribe must also apply for a Basic Grant in the same fiscal year.

While tribal child care programs are not eligible to apply for these funds directly, they may partner with their tribal library to use the IMLS grant funds.  For example, a tribal CCDF grantee might collaborate with a library to:

• hire new library staff or train existing staff to provide targeted services geared toward promoting early learning and literacy;
• develop or expand general library services to children;
• expand the availability of professional development materials (books, videos, etc.) for child care providers; or
• create a mobile library to visit remote family child care homes in rural communities.

These examples are provided solely for the purpose of promoting discussion between tribal CCDF grantees and their tribal library staff.  They are not intended to limit collaboration possibilities.  Inquiries to IMLS concerning these grants should be directed through tribal library staff.

Applications for Basic Grants (with or without the Education/Assessment Option) must be postmarked by March 1, 2005; awards will be announced in late June. Applications for Enhancement Grants must be postmarked by May 1, 2005; awards will be announced in mid-September. For further information on the 2005 IMLS Native American Library Services Grants, please visit http://www.imls.gov/grants/library/lib_nat.asp.