News From Other Sources

James Cook Book Award
Are you passionate about diversity in teen books? Applications are now being accepted for the James Cook Book Award Selection Committee click here to access the application. Committee members serve as judges for the prestigious James Cook Book Award, which recognizes a book that promotes and celebrates cultural, ethnic, or social diversity. Committee members must commit to reading all of the nominated books (usually less than 30) and to meet once during the summer of 2021 to select the award winner and honorable books. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1. More information about the James Cook Book Award is available on the OLC website.

State Library CARES ACT Mini-Grant Application is now available for all types of libraries.The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce its new CARES Act Mini-Grant Program to help all types of libraries in Ohio respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The process by which these funds can be obtained has been streamlined to help libraries get the funds they need as soon as possible. Stimulus funding for this grant comes to the State Library via LSTA funds from the federal appropriation made to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

“Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, libraries have prioritized the health and safety of their communities while still providing vital services and resources for every Ohioan’s informational, educational, or recreational needs,” expressed Wendy J. Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. “Across our state and the country, library staff are sharing best practices with each other, from the most effective ways to provide virtual services, to starting curbside pickups, to carefully reopening their buildings. The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the opportunity for any library in Ohio to apply for a mini-grant to support the work of these libraries as they adjust to a new normal.”

The State Library’s CARES Act Mini-Grant Program provides Ohio’s libraries the opportunity to receive $3,000 in stimulus funds for use in three different ways:

1. Purchase of technology and/or equipment that expands the library’s Internet connectivity and community outreach

2. Purchase of support materials for specific changes in service models due to COVID-19, such as new curbside services

3. Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for library staff and library fixtures, such as plexiglass shields, barriers, and signage, to maintain safety of patrons and staff

A non-exhaustive list of examples of items that may be purchased in each category is provided in the grant application. In addition, many traditional grant application barriers have been waived as a part of this stimulus grant program.

“The staff at the State Library of Ohio worked tirelessly with staff from IMLS to ensure the application process for these grants is as simple and straightforward as possible,” acknowledged Knapp. “I am thrilled with the streamlined process for these grants in order to get the assistance to libraries and the communities they serve in the quickest, most efficient manner possible.”

A brief tutorial on how to apply for the CARES Act Mini-Grant and how the grant funds may be spent is available at https://youtu.be/x9vVRN2flnY

Applications will be received through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 31^st, or until the allotted stimulus funds are expended. Grantees will have until June 30, 2021 to expend the $3,000 mini-grant.

For questions related to this LSTA grant initiative, please contact: LSTA@library.ohio.gov.

REALM Project update: Third round of testing begins July 10

Test Set 3 Announced:

Five plastic-based items were selected for the third round of Battelle lab testing to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on materials commonly used in archives, libraries, and museums. The study will begin July 10 on items provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The results of test set 3 are expected to be released within four weeks. The second round of testing—examining paper-based materials—is still in progress; results will be shared later in July.  

  For more information on these and other project activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project. 

You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.


News From Other Sources James Cook Book Award Are you passionate about diversity in teen books? Applications are now being accepted for the James Cook Book Award Selection Committee click here to access the application. Committee members serve as judges for the prestigious James Cook Book Award, which recognizes a book that promotes and celebrates cultural, ethnic, or social diversity. Committee members must commit to reading all of the nominated books (usually less than 30) and to meet once during the summer of 2021 to select the award winner and honorable books. The deadline for applications is Oct. 1. More information about the James Cook Book Award is available on the OLC website. State Library CARES ACT Mini-Grant Application is now available for all types of libraries.The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce its new CARES Act Mini-Grant Program to help all types of libraries in Ohio respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The process by which these funds can be obtained has been streamlined to help libraries get the funds they need as soon as possible. Stimulus funding for this grant comes to the State Library via LSTA funds from the federal appropriation made to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, libraries have prioritized the health and safety of their communities while still providing vital services and resources for every Ohioan’s informational, educational, or recreational needs,” expressed Wendy J. Knapp, State Librarian of Ohio. “Across our state and the country, library staff are sharing best practices with each other, from the most effective ways to provide virtual services, to starting curbside pickups, to carefully reopening their buildings. The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce the opportunity for any library in Ohio to apply for a mini-grant to support the work of these libraries as they adjust to a new normal.” The State Library’s CARES Act Mini-Grant Program provides Ohio’s libraries the opportunity to receive $3,000 in stimulus funds for use in three different ways: 1. Purchase of technology and/or equipment that expands the library’s Internet connectivity and community outreach 2. Purchase of support materials for specific changes in service models due to COVID-19, such as new curbside services 3. Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for library staff and library fixtures, such as plexiglass shields, barriers, and signage, to maintain safety of patrons and staff A non-exhaustive list of examples of items that may be purchased in each category is provided in the grant application. In addition, many traditional grant application barriers have been waived as a part of this stimulus grant program. “The staff at the State Library of Ohio worked tirelessly with staff from IMLS to ensure the application process for these grants is as simple and straightforward as possible,” acknowledged Knapp. “I am thrilled with the streamlined process for these grants in order to get the assistance to libraries and the communities they serve in the quickest, most efficient manner possible.” A brief tutorial on how to apply for the CARES Act Mini-Grant and how the grant funds may be spent is available at https://youtu.be/x9vVRN2flnY Applications will be received through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 31^st, or until the allotted stimulus funds are expended. Grantees will have until June 30, 2021 to expend the $3,000 mini-grant. For questions related to this LSTA grant initiative, please contact: LSTA@library.ohio.gov. REALM Project update: Third round of testing begins July 10 Test Set 3 Announced: Five plastic-based items were selected for the third round of Battelle lab testing to examine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on materials commonly used in archives, libraries, and museums. The study will begin July 10 on items provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library; the National Archives and Records Administration; and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress. The results of test set 3 are expected to be released within four weeks. The second round of testing—examining paper-based materials—is still in progress; results will be shared later in July.     For more information on these and other project activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with #REALMproject, visit oc.lc/realm-project.  Sign up for the REALM Project email list to receive timely REALM Project updates. You can also follow OCLC on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn for the latest project updates and join the conversation using #REALMproject.
Template 11 - NEO-RLS News-July 13, 2020