From the National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Learning about health in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado. Photo credit: NNLM.
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) is offering a new set of funding opportunities for library staff interested in partnering with their communities to spur learning and activities focused on health issues, or in developing their professional skills around health information. Some 17 award types are available starting in May in sizes large and small for programming, community engagement, and staff professional development. A second round of grants will be announced in the summer.
Collaborate with another organization on a library program or a project
Three awards provide support for libraries that team with other organizations. The Community-Based Organization Engagement Subaward offers up to $2,500 for work with local organizations. The K-12 School Partnership General Subaward connects libraries to partners in K-12 schools like the school media center, school nurse or a health/science teacher for projects up to $2,500. NNLM MCR also offers a specialized K-12 subaward focusing on substance misuse, also for a project up to $2,500. In addition, many awards — such as the All of Us large and small programming awards — recognize the importance of partnerships in their funding decisions.
Conduct a public library program or series of programs
NNLM also offers two types of programming subawards for public libraries. The Public Library Programming Subaward offers up to $2,500 for library projects that increase the awareness of and education on health topics within a community. The project should incorporate relevant NLM and/or NNLM health information resources like MedlinePlus. The All of Us Community Engagement Network offers an award up to $5,000 for similar projects, with an emphasis on projects geared toward underserved communities.
Examples of projects that could qualify for these awards include programs for chronic illness management, a health fair, healthy lifestyles, a cooking class, or mind/body programming such as yoga or meditation.
Secure an opportunity for professional development
NNLM MCR offers six subawards for various professional development projects. They include the following:
- Funding of up to $1,500 for professional development for librarians at Network member institutions.
- Up to $1,500 in support to attend the Library Marketing & Communications Conference in November 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Up to $1,500 in travel money to support a Library and Information Science student’s trip to the annual conference of the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association in Omaha, Nebraska, on October 13-15.
- As much as $1,500 in travel reimbursements for members of the Health Occupations Students of America to attend the annual conference of the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association.
- A maximum $1,000 in funding to meet professional development needs at K-12 member institutions by supporting staff in attending professional seminars, conferences, training sessions and other continuing education activities on health information or related disciplines.
- A $75 mini-award to cover the certification fee for library staff who complete coursework for the Consumer Health Information Specialization from the Medical Library Association.
Create citizen science programs at your library
Citizen science aims to get the everyday citizen, including your public library patron, involved in real-world scientific research through techniques such as crowdsourcing. The Librarian’s Guide to Citizen Science outlines in detail how you can get your library in on this trend.
The Citizen Scientist Support Subaward funds projects such as one monitoring water quality in the community. The K-12 Partnership Project: Citizen Science and NLM Resources Subaward does much the same, only in a school setting and with National Library of Medicine resources included as part of the project. The award is for up to $1,000.
Upgrade technology
Maybe you are looking for a way to upgrade a piece of technology to ensure access to high-quality health information or to apply specialized tools to your community-engagement efforts. Funds of up to $2,000 are available through four Technology Improvement Subaward and up to $5,000 is available through one Library Engagement Technology Subaward.
Promote diversity
Want to be a catalyst for change? Two Diverse Populations and Program Inclusion Subawards will fund up to $2,500 to support partnerships with community-based organizations that are addressing diversity and inclusion.
Execute a large-scale strategy for public library programs or projects
If you are based in one of six geographical areas on which the All of Us Community Engagement Network is focusing, you may be able to apply for an All of Us Outreach Library Programming Large Subaward of up to $80,000 this summer. These subawards can be used to fund creative ways of addressing community needs surrounding health information, such as hiring a part-time health education worker to support library staff.
The large subawards are currently open only to libraries in the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, Omaha, Wichita and Denver, and in the states of Utah and Wyoming. We suggest you contact MCR All of Us Coordinator George Strawley at george.strawley@utah.edu or your state NNLM coordinator to discuss your idea well before applying. Among other things, the application should demonstrate that the project includes the community and is responsive to community needs.