Learn the dynamics of the grant-seeking process, including proposal writing and grant management, for public, school, and academic librarians.
A comprehensive book that covers the full spectrum of the grant process, Librarian's Handbook for Seeking, Writing, and Managing Grants is designed to provide all the information necessary for librarians and educators to become effective members of grant-development and management teams. Written in an easy-to-understand, succinct format, it will be invaluable even for those with little or no background knowledge and regardless of the size or type of library or information center.
Recognizing that grants are developed through a sequential process, the volume focuses on the fundamental components of grant planning, grant writing, and grant management. Readers will learn to identify potential federal and state funding sources, organize and manage the proposal development process, do research, and establish and encourage participation on local development teams. They will also learn about specific aspects of grant management, such as budget and finance monitoring; hiring; research compliance and policies; sub-agreements and partnership forms; and reporting requirements.
Table of Contents:
Preface
Introduction
Part 1: Grant Development
1 Planning: The Core of Proposal Development
Planning Defined
The Rationale for Planning
Readiness for Planning
Historical Commitment to Planning
The Reward System for Staff Contributions
Culture and Complexity of the Organization
Rate of Growth
Financial Resources
Ready Reference Handbooks and Tools
Access and Availability of Information
Willingness to Take Risks
General Guidelines for the Predevelopment Planning Process
Calculating the Funding Potential
Managing Proposal Development
Selecting Partner Organizations
Calendar Development
Planning Meetings
Initial Planning Meeting
Conceptual Design Meeting
Working Meetings
Decisions Relating to Proposal Preparation
Writing and Editing Issues
Document Formatting Issues
2 Project Design
Needs Statement
Context of the Problem
Justification for the Project
Aspect to be Addressed
The Importance of a Lucid Mission Statement
Project Goal Development
The Relationship of the Goal and Objectives
Conceptual Design of the Project
Preliminary Checklists
Methodologies
The Dynamic Process Underlying Project Design
Laying the Groundwork for a Collaborative Effort
Steps to Prepare the Project Design
Project Management
Establishing an Advisory Group
Orientation for the Advisory Group
Parental Involvement with the Project
3 Project Narrative
Proposal Functions
Components of the Proposal
Cover Sheet (Face Sheet)
Abstract
Table of Contents
Introduction
Needs Assessment
Goals, Objectives, and Activities
Service Programs
Evaluation Design and Research Implications
Dissemination of Findings, Results, and Products
Plan for Continued Support (Sustainability)
Budget
Appendices
Letter of Transmittal
Proposal Writing, Design, and Organizational Guidelines
4 Project Personnel
Project Staffing Requirements
Requirements from the Funding Agency
Requirements from the Applicant
Capabilities Statements for Key Project Personnel
Principal Investigator (or Project Director)
Support Staff
Local Personnel Available to the Project
Library Administrators
Librarians in Public Library and Academic Library Settings
School Librarians
Instructional Personnel
Parents
5 Project Evaluation
Overview of the Evaluation Process
Evaluation Methods
Formative Evaluation
Summative Evaluation
The Basics of Evaluation
Selecting an Evaluator
Internal Evaluation Teams
External Evaluation Teams
Planning the Evaluation
Analyzing Evaluation Data
Writing the Evaluation Report
Executive Summary
Formative Evaluation
Summative Evaluation
6 Budget Development
The Role of the Budget
Budget Preparation
Ground Rules for Budget Preparation
Identify the Costs
Drafting the Budget
Reviewing the Budget
Additional Budgeting Considerations
The Influence of Funding Agencies on Budget Formatting
Budget Adjustments and Amendments
Subcontracts
7 Appendices
The Roles of Appendices
Grant Compliances and Assurances
Demographic Data and Community Descriptions
Profiles of Participating Institutions
Curriculum Vitae and Job Descriptions
Standards, Benchmarks, and Academic Achievement
Literature Review, "Best Practices," and Models
Letters of Commitment and Letters of Support
Bibliography of Resources Consulted
Part 2: Implementation and Management
8 After the Proposal
Activities Between the Submission and Decision
Strategies for Successful Grant Recipients
Strategies for Organizations Failing to Obtain Grant Funding
Poor Grantmanship Practices
The Narrative
The Budget
The Details
Resubmitting the Proposal
9 Implementing the Project
Getting Started: Celebrate, Praise, and Communicate
Notifying Partners
Accepting the Award
Review Project Award Information and Documents Provided by the Grantor
The Project Handoff
Acceptance Paperwork
Internal Accounts and Fiscal Paperwork
Staffing and Training
Hiring Project Personnel
Employees, Consultants, and Volunteers
Developing Position Descriptions
Advertising the Position
The Interview Process
Developing Interview Questions
After the Hiring Decision Is Made
Setting Up the Project Office
Announcing the Grant Award
Internal Promotion of the Grant Award
Traditional Ways of Promoting the Grant Project
Web Sites and Other Electronic Publications
Online Surveys
Promoting the Grant Project Using Social Media
Building an Online Community to Support the Grant Project
Overlooked Opportunities to Promote the Grant Project
10 Managing the Project Day-to-Day
Organizational Structure: The Big Picture
Roles and Responsibilities: The Details
Operations
Managing People
Management Styles
Leadership and Team Building
Deadlines, Calendars, and Timelines
Planning for the Unexpected
11 Project Accountability
Fiscal Management
Accounting and Financial Management
Budget Modifications
Cost Share
Legal Overview and Issues
Components of a Contract
Contract Terms and Their Importance
General Contract Tips
Grants versus Contracts
Specific Types of Agreements in the Grant Context
Project Evaluation
Conducting Evaluations
Writing Project Reports
Deliverables
12 Project Closeout
Glossary of Grant Terms
Bibliography
Index
About the Author :
Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis is an associate professor of library and information science in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver.
Stacey L. Bowers is the Outreach and Access Services librarian for the Westminster Law Library in the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.
Christopher Hudson is the project coordinator for the Law Librarianship Fellows Program at the University of Denver that is funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Claire Williamson is the Outreach Center coordinator for the Law Librarianship Fellows Program at the University of Denver that is funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Joanne Patrick is the administrator for the Westminster Law Library in the Sturm College of Law at the University of Denver.
