Illinois Secretary of State – Project Next Generation Library Grants

Illinois Secretary of State – Project Next Generation Library Grants is sponsored by Illinois Secretary of State (State Librarian). Support after‑school/educational programs and technology access for middle and high school students in public libraries.

## [](https://www. ilsos. gov/departments/library/grants/png.

html)Purpose Project Next Generation (PNG) bridges the digital divide in communities with need by engaging students in educational programs and offering access to technology and mentors that might otherwise not be available.

Through PNG, public libraries immerse students in learning while providing access to computers, software, and technologies, but also hire mentors who are crucial to helping students develop self-confidence and pride in their newly acquired skills. PNG strives to provide positive role models and offers a safe and friendly environment that encourages discovery and learning.

The mentors involved with the program foster learning and life skills development through library-based projects as students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for personal, educational, and future success. ## [](https://www. ilsos.

gov/departments/library/grants/png. html)Expected Outcomes * Students increase confidence and personal growth through project-based learning. * Students who might not otherwise have access increase knowledge, skills and learning through technology-based experiences.

* Students enhance their abilities to deal with life experiences, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for the future. ## [](https://www. ilsos.

gov/departments/library/grants/png. html)Eligibility * Public library agencies are eligible to apply. * The applicant agency must be recognized by the Illinois State Library as a full member in good standing of an Illinois library system.

## Range of Awards and Funding Source * Requests up to $40,000 will be considered. * Projects are funded using Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds (CFDA 45. 310), provided to the State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

* LSTA awards are paid as reimbursement. An agency is required to pay for project expenses then submit documentation to receive reimbursement. Release of award funds will be authorized after the submission of the quarterly or interim Financial and Narrative Report documenting proof of expenditure/disbursement of funds.

* The PNG grant application is being offered in advance of the provision of the state budget. The Illinois State Library makes grant applications available so that award notification may be released when legislative and gubernatorial approval of the appropriation is made.

Obligations to fund this grant program will cease immediately without penalty or further payment being required if the Illinois General Assembly or the federal funding source fails to appropriate or otherwise make available sufficient funds. ## [](https://www. ilsos.

gov/departments/library/grants/png. html)Program Requirements Public libraries must clearly identify the need this project will address, demonstrate the capacity to recruit mentors, and engage tweens and/or teens in educational activities that have potential to change skills, knowledge, attitudes, or behaviors. 1.

Students: The target audience must be within the range of 5th through 12th grade students with an identified need addressed by the activities proposed. Libraries are encouraged to recruit at-risk students. Need may be justified by recruiting participants from schools or school districts that operate under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs opens in a new tab.

Local poverty or unemployment levels may create barriers resulting in students without home or school access to the technologies or programs the library proposes to offer. Need may also be reflected through data and stories of area teens affected by educational, cultural or language differences, social gaps, food insecurities, or economic hardship. 2.

Mentors: Mentors are required PNG component, as they work directly with the students and guide them through activities. Mentors may be hired on contract specifically to plan and implement activities, or responsibility for the PNG program may be assigned to existing staff. Subject specialists may also be engaged to share expertise.

3. Educational Programs: Activities should engage participants in active learning through virtual or hands on experiences as well as using technology to enrich the learning process. From robotics to photography, programming may increase knowledge and foster interest in science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics (STEAM) concepts.

Programming must be justified by the target audience’s needs. ## [](https://www. ilsos.

gov/departments/library/grants/png. html)Application Guidelines * The application must be submitted through the agency's administrative headquarters with only one application per agency. * Applications must be submitted as a readable PDF.

Please refer to the Instructions for Completing Fillable PDF Grant Forms below. Paper or scanned copies of the application will not be accepted. Applications that are not submitted on the required form will be eliminated from consideration for funding.

* Applicants that propose to use grant funds to purchase computers or pay for access to the Internet must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as required by LSTA. CIPA requires that libraries must 1) make a good faith effort to block visual depictions that are obscene, that are child pornography or that are harmful to minors and 2) implement an Internet Safety Policy.

If LSTA funds are budgeted to purchase computers or access the Internet, confirm compliance with CIPA in the Administrative Capacity section. CIPA applies to all computers in the library, not just those purchased with grant funds. ## [](https://www.

ilsos. gov/departments/library/grants/png. html)Application and Reporting Forms * Grant Application opens in a new tab * Email the application as an attachment to islgrants@ilsos.

gov * Instructions for Completing Fillable PDF Grant Forms * Library Data Entry Guidelines ## [](https://www. ilsos. gov/departments/library/grants/png.

html)Review Process Grants are awarded by the Secretary of State based on recommendations received from a Grant Review Committee following its review process. The Project Next Generation grant program is competitive. Only complete applications from eligible public library agencies will be considered for funding.

Priority will be given to applications describing the need of the identified audience as justification for the activities proposed. Each application must stand on its own merit. Additional factors taken into consideration include: * Availability of grant funds.

* Geographic distribution of the proposed grant awards. Applications are funded that best meet the purpose of the grant offering and address Goal 2 of Illinois' Long Range Plan for the use of Library Services and Technology Act Funds: Position the Illinois library community as an educational anchor by providing opportunities to support education, information fluency and lifelong learning.