[Nmtriblibs] Microgrant Opportunity from the NM State Library Foundation!

[Guinnee, Eli, DCA]

Hi Librarians!

A spot has opened up in the final cohort of the "Social Wellbeing Tools in Action" microgrant program.

Please let me know if you are interested in receiving a grant.  Given the short notice it will be on a first come first served basis as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

See details below and let me know if any questions.

Best,
Eli

From: Guinnee, Eli, DCA
Sent: Friday, November 5, 2021 9:34 AM
To: nmlibs at lists.zianet.com; NM Tribal LibraryDirectors <nmtriblibs at lists.zianet.com>; 'nmpublib at lists.zianet. com' <nmpublib at lists.zianet.com>
Subject: Microgrant Opportunity from the NM State Library Foundation!

Good Morning Librarians,

The New Mexico State Library Foundation received funding from the IMLS for 15 libraries/librarians to take part in a five week mentorship/microgrant program.

Please see details below, and note that review of Applications for the first cohort begins November 15, so don't delay!  Angela Watkins (Aztec), Breezy Gutierrez (Anton Chico), and Nadine Jiron (Grants) were all part of the pilot for this, which was so successful that I wanted to make sure more NM libraries could take part.  Here's the info:

Applications are now open for the a new "Social Wellbeing Tools in Action Microgrant" program.

Deadline
Review of applications will begin November 15.  The application will remain open until all 15 microgrants are filled.

What is it?
New Mexico State Library will work with 15 New Mexico librarians to develop community-based social wellbeing projects. Over the course of five weeks, the librarians will receive mentoring and guidance from Hope Decker using an established set of social wellbeing tools from www.rurallibraries.org<http://www.rurallibraries.org>.  This will happen in five cohorts of three libraries each over the next 11 months, with microgrants provided to the participants to help seed their project.

When are the cohorts?
The cohorts are scheduled to be (subject to change if mutually agreed upon):

  *   Nov 22 - Dec 17, 2021
  *   Jan 3 - Feb 5, 2022
  *   Mar 14 - April 16, 2022
  *   May 30 - July 2, 2022
  *   August 29- September 30

Why is this important?
Coming out of a pandemic, rural libraries and the community members they serve face the challenge of reestablishing mutual support, rebuilding social connection, and strengthening resiliency. The tools prioritize community engagement and dialogue, with a focus on reaching the isolated and marginalized, as a foundation for taking action to improve wellbeing in the community.

The Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing<https://rurallibraries.org/toolkits/> Research and the recently released IMLS report Understanding the Social Wellbeing Impacts of the Nation's Libraries and Museums<https://www.imls.gov/news/new-research-underscores-role-museums-libraries-play-create-healthier-more-equitable-america>, have highlighted the deep impacts libraries make.

If I'm selected what will happen?
If selected you will meet once a week for five weeks with Hope Decker<https://rurallibraries.org/team/hope-decker/>, an experienced Tools in Action mentor, researcher on the Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing project, and herself a small library director.  With Hope you will learn about the social wellbeing tools, identify which may fit you and your library, and then work through them as you develop an idea for a community project.

How much of my time will this take?
The meeting with Hope will be one hour a week for five weeks (at a time that works for both of you), and it is estimated you will spend an additional 3 hours each week over the course of 5 weeks.  So an estimated 20 hours altogether.

How much are the micro-grants?
Selected applicants will get $1000 dollars:  $500 for you/$500 for your library  (or, all $1000 for the library as some prefer).

Objectives:

  *   Provide high quality professional development to library workers seeking to make positive impacts in their community
  *   Provide seed money for a library to take on a new project that will help the community recover from pandemic and/or build resiliency for the future
  *   The Tools in Action process:
     *   encourages an intentional community-centered approach to librarianship
     *   give librarians space and time to reflect on underserved community members
     *   re-centers measurements of success around social wellbeing
     *   bases actions on extensive research and evidenced-based practices but is unique to each community

Eligibility:

  *   The tools in this project were developed with a small rural public library focus, but applications will be considered by libraries of all sizes and types
  *   We use the term "librarian" here to mean any staff members who works for a recognized library in New Mexico
  *   It is not part of this application but be aware that if you are selected will need to certify, with an authorized signature, that your library has approval to take part from whichever entity oversees its operations and finances

Reporting:

  *   Participant librarians are required to take a brief pre-survey and a brief post-survey to provide feedback on their learning and improve the Tools in Action program.
  *   A brief report on the development of the project will be required
  *   Eli Guinnee will work with you to schedule a time to do an in-person site visit

What happens after the grant is over?

  *   An ongoing national network of Tools in Action "graduates" provides ongoing peer-to-peer support, including a monthly meeting open to all past participants
  *   Past participants have reported that they return to the tools regularly, and that they share them with other organizations in the community

Questions?
Contact Project Director:  Eli Guinnee  eli.guinnee at state.nm.us<mailto:eli.guinnee at state.nm.us>

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Eli Guinnee
New Mexico State Librarian
1209 Camino Carlos Rey, Santa Fe, NM 87507
Cell (505) 629-9153
eli.guinnee at state.nm.us<mailto:eli.guinnee at state.nm.us>
www.nmstatelibrary.org<http://www.nmstatelibrary.org/>
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