COVID-19 Response Grant
COVID-19 response mini-grants are meant to support Oregon libraries responding to immediate needs in their local communities. Funds (up to $3,000 per library system) may be used to meet a wide variety of needs as long as grant-funded activities and expenditures conform to allowable costs as determined by our LSTA program. For ideas, please see a list of examples at the bottom of this page.
The State Library Board has redirected approximately $240,000 of Oregon's FFY2019 LSTA allotment from other LSTA projects and programs for this purpose. Libraries in Oregon may choose which amount best suits their needs from the following amounts: $500, $1,500 or $3,000.
Applicants will be notified of their funding status within 14 days of submitting an application.
Grant awards will be distributed to libraries through reimbursements. Reimbursable funds must be spent by August 31, 2020, claims submitted by September 1, and a simple final report must be completed September 30, 2020 (a final report form will be emailed to all grantees the week of August 10).
The State Library of Oregon has set a goal that at least 40% of total funds awarded will go towards efforts supporting children, K-12 students, and youth services. Grants will otherwise be awarded on a rolling basis, limited to one grant per public library system, school, or tribe. The application window will remain open until all funds have been awarded.
All applicants must apply through the State Library of Oregon’s online grants portal. A preview of the application form can be viewed here. All public libraries in Oregon should already have an organizational profile in the portal and at least one associated user account, as well as organizations that have recently applied for a LSTA Competitive Grant or LSTA+ODNP Grant. If you have already created an account but don’t have your login information, please click the ‘Forgot your password?’ link on the login screen.
For additional assistance, email mini.grants@state.or.us.
Grant funds must be spent by August 31, 2020, and a simple final report must be completed by September 30, 2020 (a link to a simple report form will be emailed to all grantees on August 10).
Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. Your institution must be able to accept e-signatures.
Any public-facing information or resources purchases with these grants should include an acknowledgement of funding source similar to the following statement:
Please note that these mini-grants are provided through Oregon’s FFY2019 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) allotment from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and are not CARES Act funds. More information about CARES Act funds for Oregon libraries will be available by Summer 2020.
Please contact the State Library of Oregon at mini.grants@state.or.us for more information.
These are just a handful of examples -- please let us know if you have other ideas but have questions how it would fit this opportunity.
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Continuing Education for Library Staff |
Example |
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Virtual Conference Registration |
Registration for Virtual ALA 2020 conference for two staff members. Registration for ARCL Online course for three staff members. |
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Online Learning |
Registration for online courses from Infopeople, ALA divisions, Amigos, or PCI Webinars. |
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Digital Services |
Example |
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e-Books |
Add materials to Overdrive Collection. |
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Online Resources |
Add an online resource: a tutoring and career development service like Brainfuse, or a learning platform like Linked in Learning. Add a mobile app for non-contact printing services. |
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Website development |
Expand web presence by developing certain pages more effectively, i.e. Virtual Programming Calendar |
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Programming |
Example |
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Bookmarks, Posters, other promotional materials |
Flyers or postcards promoting NEW online library services and/or programming. Summer Reading Bookmarks as Reading Trackers. |
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Printing and Postage |
Summer Reading program materials (not including prizes or incentives) |
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Promotion of general library services to people with diverse cultural and/or socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or information skills. |
Targeted digital programs to specific populations in your community, such as translating websites or plugins for language translation. Targeted non-digital programs to specific populations in your community, such as Spanish language materials promoting library services offered at essential service points. |
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Promotion of general library services to persons having difficulty using a library, underserved urban and rural communities including children from families with incomes below the poverty line. |
Bring grade-level appropriate books and resources to school breakfast/lunch sites serving families who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Create family activity kits for families to pick up at essential service points like the grocery store. |
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Virtual and or/remote services and programs that follow Oregon’s social distancing guidelines |
Local radio or television programming, such as a summer reading performance or Spanish-language radio programming. |
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Virtual or “at-home” Summer Reading programs |
Online reading program tracking, summer reading by mail. |
If you have an idea but are unsure if it will fit this funding opportunity, please contact Ross Fuqua or Greta Bergquist at mini.grants@state.or.us.
This is not an exhaustive list of costs that are not allowed - please see more examples here.
Again, if you have questions, please contact us at mini.grants@state.or.us.
All LSTA funds are distributed to grantees (i.e., subrecipients) by the State Library of Oregon as reimbursements. For COVID-19 Response grants, please submit one claim for reimbursement for project-related costs, along with all supporting documentation (timesheets, invoices, receipts, etc.).
To submit a claim, complete the Claim for Payment form below, and email it to us along with supporting documentation to mini.grants@state.or.us. Please use COVID-19 as your project code on the claim form.
This is completely optional for your library and/or fiscal agent, but if you wish to enroll your organization for Automated Clearing House (ACH)/direct deposit payments, please complete this form (fillable PDF) from the State of Oregon's Department of Administrative Services. More information about ACH is here.
