Jessica accepted an award given to the Wyoming State Library the previous years efforts on spending and reporting of funds.
Wyoming State Library staff members, Jessica Otto, Research and Statistics Consultant, and Christi Weinzierl, Communications and Grants Specialist, attended the IMLS Grants to States Annual All States Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, September 18 and 19.
The event covered important information about the federal funding state libraries receive for library programming and resources in each state. Topics included monitoring best practices; allowable costs; maintenance of effort, match, and administrative costs; and scenarios to help clarify and solidify the information. The conference also addressed upcoming changes. Towards the end of the conference, several representatives from state libraries across the U.S. shared projects libraries in their state were administering using federal funding from the Grants to State program.
“The information was so helpful, and it was great to get to network with library professionals from other state libraries,” said Christi. “I’m so thankful for this opportunity to learn more about the IMLS Grants to States process.”
Christi took selfie in the marble entryway of the Milwaukee Public Library. The building itself is a work of art on the inside and the outside.
Jessica and Christi also toured the beautiful Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) and had the opportunity to visit with some of the librarians who work there and discuss the similarities and differences between the Wisconsin and Wyoming’s libraries and how they are structured within their local and state governments. (Stay tuned for more information and photos of the MPL in an upcoming blog post!) Despite about a thousand miles separating our two states, the libraries in both share the goal of providing the best possible resources and services to our patrons.
Jessica found the “odd” baluster in the balustrade of the library’s beautiful staircase!
“I’m so grateful to IMLS for providing this in-person training every year, and especially appreciate their efforts to make this crucial information as consumable as possible by going over new regulations, breaking down complicated terminology, and providing examples of funding dos and don’ts through creative scenarios,” said Jessica. “The ability to connect with our Grants to States peers is priceless, too.”
All in all, the conference was both enjoyable and informative. The information gained will help the Wyoming State Library staff continue to effectively and efficiently manage the IMLS’s Grants to States program for Wyoming’s libraries.