Grants

ALLOCATION GRANTS

The regional library systems began as organizations of public libraries only, and have remained part of the funding pattern for the support of public library service in the state.
SEKLS provides extended service grants, or allocations, to public libraries. To receive a System allocation or grant, a library must:

• Be eligible for the full amount of State Aid
• Comply with all applicable state laws and regulations regarding public libraries; including composition of library board, provision of free library service to all residents of territory comprising the SEKLS, etc. Where cities have used home rule authority to exempt themselves from provisions of state law regarding libraries, the library will be held to remain in compliance with the 2nd requirement, as long as such exemption does not alter the powers and duties of the library board.
• For more information, click on the Allocation Grant Guideline Download link.
• Questions regarding Allocation grants may be directed to the Sharon, System Director

Budget for 2024: $543,00 | Grants awarded in 2023: $561,319 (with extra) | Grants awarded in 2022: $535,946 | Grants awarded in 2021: $536,252 (with extra)

COMPETITIVE GRANTS

SEKLS offers a competitive grant of some type annually. All SEKLS members are eligible to apply for a limited amount of funding. Public libraries must qualify for the full system allocation in order to be eligible for competitive grants. The 2024 SEKLS competitive grant will be for Equipment and Technology and will open in mid-August, with a deadline in October. Questions regarding Competitive grants may be directed to Sharon, System Director.

Budget for 2024 for Technology: $35,000 | Grants funded in 2023 for Facility Improvement/Furnishings: $40,030 | Grants funded in 2022 for Technology: $21,189 | Grants funded in 2021 for Collection Development: $49,992

2024-2025 Equipment/Technology Grant

CONTINUING EDUCATION GRANTS

Recognizing the importance of continuing education to library service, the Southeast Kansas Library System urges all member libraries to provide time and financial support for staff members and trustees to attend appropriate continuing education activities. To supplement what libraries are able to provide, SEKLS offers three types of continuing education grants. Questions regarding these grants may be directed to Amy, System Consultant. The three types of Continuing Education grants are:

• State library association conference grants ($250 maximum)
• General Continuing Education grants ($250 maximum, with exception for national conferences)
• Small Library Attendance Support grants ($100 maximum)

Budget for 2024: increased to $6,000 from $4,000 |  Grants awarded in 2023: $4,057 | Grants awarded in 2022: $875 | Grants awarded in 2021: $4,750

General CE & State Conference

Small Library Grant

DREAM GRANTS

The Dream Grant is available to help SEKLS members implement their dreams for their libraries. Dream Grant projects must be projects the library wishes to implement, with expenses connected with the project falling largely outside funding eligibility for single SEKLS competitive grants. Special consideration will be given to projects which are innovative new services in that library. Dream Grants may be applied for at any time of year. Questions and consulting support available from SEKLS staff.

Budget for 2024: $8,000 | Grants awarded in 2023: $0 | Grants awarded in 2022: $13,946 | Grants awarded in 2021: $898

MATERIALS DELIVERY GRANTS

There are two parts to the Materials Delivery Grant. Part A is a reimbursement for money already spent on postage or other (non-courier) shipping costs for interlibrary loan materials during the prior year. Part B is reimbursement or pre-imbursement of a portion of courier costs. Questions regarding this grant may be directed to Sharon, System Director.

Budget for 2024: $122,040 | Grants awarded in 2023: $108,984 | Grants awarded in 2022: $64,290 | Grants awarded in 2021: $37,185
Materials Delivery Grant Costs and Grants for 2024: 3-day service $1,855 (with a grant of $1,555) | 5-day service $4,120 (with a grant of $3,520)

PROGRAMMING GRANTS

All SEKLS members (school, academic, public, and special libraries) are eligible. Programs designed primarily for staff members of the library or institution are not eligible (for instance, in-service speakers), but must be designed for the population the library serves. No more than one grant will be funded for any member during a calendar year. A school district is one member, regardless of the number of libraries in the district. Questions regarding programming grants may be directed to Tammie for youth programs or Amy for adult programs. Grant amounts are determined by Library Service Level: $450 for libraries for Linking and Gateway libraries (fewer than 1,000) | $300 for libraries for Service Center I and above (greater than 1,000)

Budget for 2024: Increased to $5,000 from $3,000, with $3,335 awarded as of June | Grants awarded in 2023: $2,100 | Grants awarded in 2022: $1,500 | Grants awarded in 2021: $500

ACADEMIC-SCHOOL EXTENDED SERVICE GRANTS

Grants are provided in compensation for service to the general public. To be eligible for the Academic/School Extended Service Grant, a library must:

• Be open to the public during most hours it is open to students of the institution
• Have a collection of materials
• Have a full-time librarian

The amount of each grant is determined by two factors: the FTE enrollment of the institution and the percent of circulation to persons who are not students or employees of the parent institution, called extended service circulation. Interlibrary loans made to other libraries may be included in calculating extended service circulation. Questions regarding these grants may be directed to Sharon, System Director.

Budget for 2024: $15,500 | Grants awarded in 2023: $13,500 | Grants awarded in 2022: $12,000 | Grants awarded in 2021: $12,000