New Jersey State Library

LSTA National Leadership Grants
The Institute of Museums and Library Services annually funds grants in the following categories: 1) education and training; 2) research and demonstration; 3) preservation or digitization of library materials; and 4) library-museum collaboration. All types of libraries, except federal and for-profit libraries, may apply.

Millennium Project for Public Libraries
This national program seeks to help public libraries enrich their core collections of American literature and history and to offer programs to enhance the public's appreciation of great American writing. The website provides online guidelines and application forms.

National Book Scholarship Fund (NBSF)
The Laubach Literacy program, currently merging with Literacy Volunteers of America, offers this grant in support of family literacy. Priority is given to projects that focus on family literacy, although ESL and adult basic educational projects are also eligible.

Applications are considered as they are received, although the grant program remains open until December 5, 2002. Grants are made in the form of New Readers Press materials selected by the applicant from an extensive list (http://www.newreaderspress.com/). Grants have ranged from $500 to $8000, although greater or lesser amounts are considered.

Applicants must agree to provide a cash contribution to Laubach Literacy equal to 20% of the grant award to defray the costs of the NBSF program.

Grant guidelines and applications are available from the NBSF website.

National Endowment for the Humanities
Libraries are eligible to apply for: Challenge grants; Consultation grants; Public Program grants; and Preservation Assistance grants.

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities
NJCH actively supports the public's use of the humanities to enrich personal and community life in New Jersey. It awards grants of up to $7,500 ($15,000 for Media projects) to New Jersey nonprofit groups. In addition mini grants of up to $3,000 are awarded three times a year. NJCH looks favorably upon projects that promote literacy skills and reading and understanding of literature, cross cultural understanding and participation in civic discussion. A number of N.J. public libraries have been awarded mini grants and Annual Book Award Collections written by NJ authors.

N.J. Dept. of Education Technology Literacy Challenge Fund
School Districts are eligible applicants for grants to accelerate the full benefits of educational technology to all schools in the state. One way that this intent is accomplished is by "extending to families and other community members access to educational technology through public libraries and/or other community sites. Public Libraries should contact their local schools to explore the possibility of participating in this 5 year grant program (1997-2002).

Over fifty-five public libraries have received computers and other services as part of this grant program. The following is a partial list: Atlantic County, Belleville, Belmar, Camden County, Camden (City), Cumberland County, East Brunswick, Ocean County, Orange, Parsipanny-Troy Hills, Pennsuaken, Rahway, Salem, Vineland, and Warren County.

Technology Opportunities Program
The Department of Commerce's Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) promotes the widespread availability and use of advanced telecommunications technologies in the public and nonprofit sectors. TOP makes matching grants to state and local governments, libraries, schools, health care providers, community-based nonprofit organizations, etc. TOP projects demonstrate how networks support lifelong learning for all Americans, foster communication, resource-sharing and economic development within rural and urban communities.