Grants

This grant encourages and supports academic and school libraries in the System to provide free and open access to the public. The application and grant funds are distributed in the fall, at the start of the institution’s academic year. 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 use of the library by the public, as accounted for with Extended Service Use. For the purposes of this grant, extended service uses is a combination of circulation and computer use by persons who are not students ore employees of the parent institution. Questions regarding these grants may be directed to Sharon, System Director. This criteria was expanded on March 24, 2025.

Budget Information:

• Budget for 2025: increased to $20,000
• Grants awarded in 2024: $14,500
• Grants awarded in 2023: $13,500
• Grants awarded in 2022: $12,000 

Allocation provides a base grant, plus per capita funding to public libraries in the System. By meeting additional criteria meant to expand and improve services, a library may increase their Allocation up to 95% beyond-base.
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.
• Full details are available in the Allocation Grant Guidelines
• Questions regarding Allocation may be directed to the System Director

Budget Information:

• Base Grant for 2026: $4,200 and $.95 per capita and $3,100, without per capita for District Libraries
• Budget for 2025: $561,906
• Grants awarded in 2024: $540,264
• Grants awarded in 2023: $561,319
• Grants awarded in 2022: $535,946

Annually, a competitive grant for technology, furniture, or collection development is offered. A review committee of System staff and Executive Board members review, rank, and award full or partial grants. All SEKLS members, except Iola Public Library, 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 2024-2025 SEKLS competitive grant was for Equipment and Technology. The grant focus for 2025 is Collection Development and opens in mid-August. Questions regarding Competitive grants may be directed to Sharon, System Director.

Budget Information:

• 2025 Collection Development Grant: $30,000
• Grants funded in 2024/2025 for Technology: $41,618
• Grants funded in 2023 for Facility Improvement/Furnishings: $40,030
• Grants funded in 2022 for Technology: $21,189 

Grant Cycle: 

• 2024-2025 Equipment/Technology Grant
• 2025-2026 Collection Development Grant – August 2025 launch
• 2026-2027 Equipment/Technology Grant
• 2027-2028 Facilities and Furnishings

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 to staff from all types of member libraries and public library board members. Questions regarding these grants may be directed to Amy, System Consultant. Funds are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, as explained in the guidelines. Grantees must submit a voucher with receipts and/or a mileage voucher for reimbursement after the event.
The three types of Continuing Education grants are:

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

Budget Information:

• Budget for 2025: $3,500
• Grants awarded in 2024: $2,844
• Grants awarded in 2023: $4,057
• Grants awarded in 2022: $875

General CE & State Conference Grant

Small Library Grant

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. Projects are reviewed and funded on a first come, first served basis as the budget allows. Library staff must actively work with SEKLS consulting staff to develop the project idea. Dream grant require a 25% funding match. Iola Public Library is ineligible for this grant. Questions and consulting support available from SEKLS staff.

Budget Information:

• Budget for 2025: $8,000
• Grants awarded in 2024: $8,678
• Grants awarded in 2023: $0
• Grants awarded in 2022: $13,946 

All types of SEKLS member libraries eligible to apply for this grant that subsidizes the cost of both postage and statewide courier fees.  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 Information:

• 2026 Materials Delivery Costs and Grant Amounts: 3-day service $2,205 (with a grant of $1,850) | 5-day service $4,900 (with a grant of $4,100) – Approved 3/24/25
• Budget for 2025: $126,576 | Materials Delivery Grant Costs and Grants for 2025: 3-day service $1,910 (with a grant of $1,580) | 5-day service $4,245 (with a grant of $3,600)
• Grants awarded in 2024: $114,377
• Grants awarded in 2023: $108,984
• Grants awarded in 2022: $64,290

All SEKLS members (school, academic, public, and special libraries) are eligible for this grant, which supports a single program. 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 Information:

• Budget for 2025: $4,000
• Grants awarded in 2024: $3,785
• Grants awarded in 2023: $2,100
• Grants awarded in 2022: $1,500