Librarian’s Handbook for Seeking, Writing, and Managing Grants

Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis, Stacey L. Bowers, Christopher Hudson, Claire Williamson, Joanne Patrick

Learn the dynamics of the grant-seeking process, including proposal writing and grant management, for public, school, and academic librarians.A comprehensive book that covers the full spectrum of the grant process, Librarian's Handbook for Seeking, Writing, and Managing Grants is designed to provide all the information necessary for librarians and educators to become effective members of grant-development and management teams. Written in an easy-to-understand, succinct format, it will be invaluable even for those with little or no background knowledge and regardless of the size or type of library or information center.Recognizing that grants are developed through a sequential process, the volume focuses on the fundamental components of grant planning, grant writing, and grant management. Readers will learn to identify potential federal and state funding sources, organize and manage the proposal development process, do research, and establish and encourage participation on local development teams. They will also learn about specific aspects of grant management, such as budget and finance monitoring; hiring; research compliance and policies; sub-agreements and partnership forms; and reporting requirements.

A glossary

PrefaceIntroductionPart 1: Grant Development1 Planning: The Core of Proposal DevelopmentPlanning DefinedThe Rationale for PlanningReadiness for PlanningHistorical Commitment to PlanningThe Reward System for Staff ContributionsCulture and Complexity of the OrganizationRate of GrowthFinancial ResourcesReady Reference Handbooks and ToolsAccess and Availability of InformationWillingness to Take RisksGeneral Guidelines for the Predevelopment Planning ProcessCalculating the Funding PotentialManaging Proposal DevelopmentSelecting Partner OrganizationsCalendar DevelopmentPlanning MeetingsInitial Planning MeetingConceptual Design MeetingWorking MeetingsDecisions Relating to Proposal PreparationWriting and Editing IssuesDocument Formatting Issues2 Project DesignNeeds StatementContext of the ProblemJustification for the ProjectAspect to be AddressedThe Importance of a Lucid Mission StatementProject Goal DevelopmentThe Relationship of the Goal and ObjectivesConceptual Design of the ProjectPreliminary ChecklistsMethodologiesThe Dynamic Process Underlying Project DesignLaying the Groundwork for a Collaborative EffortSteps to Prepare the Project DesignProject ManagementEstablishing an Advisory GroupOrientation for the Advisory GroupParental Involvement with the Project3 Project NarrativeProposal FunctionsComponents of the ProposalCover Sheet (Face Sheet)AbstractTable of ContentsIntroductionNeeds AssessmentGoals, Objectives, and ActivitiesService ProgramsEvaluation Design and Research ImplicationsDissemination of Findings, Results, and ProductsPlan for Continued Support (Sustainability)BudgetAppendicesLetter of TransmittalProposal Writing, Design, and Organizational Guidelines4 Project PersonnelProject Staffing RequirementsRequirements from the Funding AgencyRequirements from the ApplicantCapabilities Statements for Key Project PersonnelPrincipal Investigator (or Project Director)Support StaffLocal Personnel Available to the ProjectLibrary AdministratorsLibrarians in Public Library and Academic Library SettingsSchool LibrariansInstructional PersonnelParents5 Project EvaluationOverview of the Evaluation ProcessEvaluation MethodsFormative EvaluationSummative EvaluationThe Basics of EvaluationSelecting an EvaluatorInternal Evaluation TeamsExternal Evaluation TeamsPlanning the EvaluationAnalyzing Evaluation DataWriting the Evaluation ReportExecutive SummaryFormative EvaluationSummative Evaluation6 Budget DevelopmentThe Role of the BudgetBudget PreparationGround Rules for Budget PreparationIdentify the CostsDrafting the BudgetReviewing the BudgetAdditional Budgeting ConsiderationsThe Influence of Funding Agencies on Budget FormattingBudget Adjustments and AmendmentsSubcontracts7 AppendicesThe Roles of AppendicesGrant Compliances and AssurancesDemographic Data and Community DescriptionsProfiles of Participating InstitutionsCurriculum Vitae and Job DescriptionsStandards, Benchmarks, and Academic AchievementLiterature Review, "Best Practices," and ModelsLetters of Commitment and Letters of SupportBibliography of Resources ConsultedPart 2: Implementation and Management8 After the ProposalActivities Between the Submission and DecisionStrategies for Successful Grant RecipientsStrategies for Organizations Failing to Obtain Grant FundingPoor Grantmanship PracticesThe NarrativeThe BudgetThe DetailsResubmitting the Proposal9 Implementing the ProjectGetting Started: Celebrate, Praise, and CommunicateNotifying PartnersAccepting the AwardReview Project Award Information and Documents Provided by the GrantorThe Project HandoffAcceptance PaperworkInternal Accounts and Fiscal PaperworkStaffing and TrainingHiring Project PersonnelEmployees, Consultants, and VolunteersDeveloping Position DescriptionsAdvertising the PositionThe Interview ProcessDeveloping Interview QuestionsAfter the Hiring Decision Is MadeSetting Up the Project OfficeAnnouncing the Grant AwardInternal Promotion of the Grant AwardTraditional Ways of Promoting the Grant ProjectWeb Sites and Other Electronic PublicationsOnline SurveysPromoting the Grant Project Using Social MediaBuilding an Online Community to Support the Grant ProjectOverlooked Opportunities to Promote the Grant Project10 Managing the Project Day-to-DayOrganizational Structure: The Big PictureRoles and Responsibilities: The DetailsOperationsManaging PeopleManagement StylesLeadership and Team BuildingDeadlines, Calendars, and TimelinesPlanning for the Unexpected11 Project AccountabilityFiscal ManagementAccounting and Financial ManagementBudget ModificationsCost ShareLegal Overview and IssuesComponents of a ContractContract Terms and Their ImportanceGeneral Contract TipsGrants versus ContractsSpecific Types of Agreements in the Grant ContextProject EvaluationConducting EvaluationsWriting Project ReportsDeliverables12 Project CloseoutGlossary of Grant TermsBibliographyIndex