Dear Librarians:
Good day, and please excuse cross-postings.
This is especially for rural/remote libraries as defined by IMLS. Jenny Melvin has pulled a list of eligible libraries based on those definitions from IMLS and it can be accessed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v17z_LT1tED95JwpUkzGHrWkEVG1hyYq/view?usp=sharing
"Call for Applications
Now accepting applications<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/preview> from libraries in select rural counties<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/geographies> to help them to establish mobile hotspot lending programs and to initiate or expand digital skills training programs and patron access to computers. At least 50 libraries will be approved to receive new computers and other hardware, training and more<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/packages>. Libraries nationwide will benefit from the training and tools collated by the project and released for use by PLA members and others.
Before applying:
* Preview the application.<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/preview>
* Review the list of libraries in priority states and counties that will be prioritized for eligibility.<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/geographies>
* Review the award package options that are available.<http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/packages>
Applications will be accepted through August 30, 11:59 PM Central.<https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DigitalLead>"
There are a couple important things to note:
1. There are two packages for which you are eligible to apply. One is for mobile hotspots, but PLEASE NOTE that the carrier currently listed for this project is Sprint. I have a query in with the project coordinator to see if there is room to work with other carriers.
2. The package for computer equipment is dependent on your library working on a plan for providing digital literacy training. A partnership with the Maine Digital Inclusion Initiative, which many of you already have, would be worth mentioning if you have one or looking into if you do not: http://digitalequitycenter.org/our-strategies/
3. All 16 counties in Maine are eligible counties, but not all libraries in each county are eligible.
"Which Libraries are Eligible?
The call for applications is open to rural U.S. public libraries in the states and counties below.
Rural libraries are defined by Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) locale codes as follows:
41 - Rural, Fringe: Census-defined rural territory that is less than or equal to 5 miles from an Urbanized Area, as well as rural territory that is less than or equal to 2.5 miles from an Urban Cluster.
42 - Rural, Distant: Census-defined rural territory that is more than 5 miles but less than or equal to 25 miles from an Urbanized Area, as well as rural territory that is more than 2.5 miles but less than or equal to 10 miles from an Urban Cluster.
43 - Rural, Remote: Census-defined rural territory that is more than 25 miles from an Urbanized Area and more than 10 miles from an Urban Cluster.
Your library must be rural and located in one of the states or counties below for your application to be considered." http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/geographies
"Package Options
As of June 11, 2019; subject to change
Package option #1: Wi-Fi Hotspots
Successful applicants will be connected to TechSoup and will be required to create an account with TechSoup if they do not already have one. Through an online portal created for the DigitalLead project, libraries will request Mobile Beacon hotspot packages of 1, 5, or 10 devices, allowing for a maximum of 11 (10 device package + 1 device package). One year of unlimited data using Sprint's network will also be paid for each device. (PLA is currently determining if additional years of data can be supported through the project and will update this information accordingly.) After one year, libraries will receive emails from Mobile Beacon, to the emails they used upon registering, reminding them that the service is expiring and providing them with basic instructions on how to renew.
Upon ordering, the devices will be shipped to the library. Library staff will be expected to install and activate them. TechSoup staff will provide virtual help desk support to funded libraries as needed. Ordering and installation of the new devices is expected to occur in September-October 2019 over a period of 4-6 weeks. Libraries that cannot adhere to this timeline should not apply. PLA will provide tools and resources such as model policies, user guidelines, sample communications to promote the new services, and more to help the library initiate and promote its Wi-Fi hotspot lending program.
Successful applicants will be expected to work with PLA and other funded libraries for a period of 6 months (October 2019-March 2019). Through participation in a series of online meetings, likely every 4-6 weeks, funded libraries will share experiences with their new programs and services. This will also include providing simple qualitative and quantitative data about their new programs and services using data collection tools to be provided by PLA.
Package option #2: Desktops and Laptops for Training
Successful applicants will be connected to TechSoup and will be required to create an account with TechSoup if they do not already have one. Through an online portal created for the DigitalLead project, libraries will request desktops, all-in-ones, and laptops, in three options for each: basic, intermediate, and advanced. As of June 2019, PLA and TechSoup are preparing to offer the following Lenovo products (subject to change):
* Desktops: ThinkCentre M720 SFF (basic), M720s (Intermediate/Advanced)
* All-in-ones: ThinkCentre M820z
* Laptops: ThinkPad T480
Intermediate and advanced machines generally come with higher processing power, multiple and larger hard drives, and other features. All machines will come with integrated network cards for Wi-Fi connections, 3-year warranties, and keyboards/mice (for non-laptops). Options in the basic category will have ports to enable simple upgrades like RAM to keep them "future-proof." Desktops will be "small form-factor" for size convenience, although they are slightly more expensive that regular size.
Costs of these machines range from roughly $370 to $1,050. Successful applicants will be provided with a budget based on their application and will be able to choose a collection of machines of varying types to meet their individual library's needs. Therefore, the specific number of machines each successful applicant will receive is to be determined, however PLA anticipates the range will be from 1 machine to 16, depending on the options desired.
Upon ordering, the devices will be shipped to the library. Library staff will be expected to install and activate them. TechSoup staff will provide virtual help desk support to funded libraries as needed. Ordering and installation of the new devices is expected to occur in September-October 2019 over a period of 4-6 weeks. Libraries that cannot adhere to this timeline should not apply. PLA will provide tools and resources such as model policies, digital literacy training sites and tools, sample communications to promote the new services, and more to help the library initiate and promote its public access computers and digital literacy training.
Successful applicants will be expected to work with PLA and other funded libraries for a period of 6 months (October 2019-March 2019). Through participation in a series of online meetings, likely every 4-6 weeks, funded libraries will share experiences with their new programs and services. This will also include providing simple qualitative and quantitative data about their new programs and services using data collection tools to be provided by PLA."
Here are additional links into the PLA/Microsoft DigitalLead grant program for rural/remote libraries.
http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead
Packages available: http://www.ala.org/pla/initiatives/digitallead/packages
Good luck, and please do let me, Jared Leadbetter, Jenny Melvin, or your MSL Regional Liaison know if you have any questions at all.
Respectfully,
Lisa
Lisa M. Shaw
Maine State Library
Rural & Small Libraries Specialist
145 Harlow St.
Bangor ME 04401
(207) 947-8336 xt 114
(207) 217-1565 (mobile)
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/index.shtml
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisanealshaw/
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