FOR LIBRARIANS: Grants - Gates Library Foundation

The Staying Connected Grant Program

The South Dakota State Library filed the South Dakota Staying Connected grant with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation requesting funding for:
  1. Upgrading computer equipment granted to public libraries previously
  2. Training Support
  3. Technical Support
The Foundation has notified the State Library that a total of $186,720 has been awarded to assist libraries in these three critical areas.

The Staying Connected Grant Program is a follow-up to the Gates Foundation's 2004 Training Grant program. The Staying Connected Grant is designed to assist state library agencies in developing long-term sustainability programs for public access in the state's public libraries.

Only state library agencies were eligible to apply for these grant funds. South Dakota was eligible for $186,720 and in addition, the state library had to guarantee that matching funds would be available from either state or local funding sources.

Grant Requests are considered at each State Library Board Meeting. Requests received by October 5, 2007 will be considered at the October 17, 2007 meeting.

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