Finger Lakes Library System

Connecting public libraries in Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins Counties

EarlyLiteracy

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Early Literacy Grants | Ready to Read | Demographic Data | Early Literacy Organizations | Additional Resources

2019-2022 Family Literacy Grant

2020-2021 Mini-Grants

The Finger Lakes Library System is offering mini-grants to member libraries as part of the 2019-2022 New York State Family Literacy Library Program: Ready to Read at New York Libraries through Public Library Systems. For the 2020-2021 grant year, $6,000 is available for mini-grants and each member library may apply for up to $250. The mini-grants may be used to purchase supplies and materials to support the library’s early literacy work. Early literacy is defined as being for children from birth through age 5 and their caregivers. Applications are being accepted from April 23, 2021 through May 7, 2021.

Mini-grant requirements:

  • applicants must be libraries that are members of the Finger Lakes Library System,
  • materials to be purchased must support the early literacy work of the library,
  • applications must clearly indicate what is to be purchased (e.g. “storytime supplies” is not a sufficient description, but “child safety scissors, glue sticks, and storage bins” would be acceptable),
  • purchased materials must be labeled “Purchased with funds from the New York State Library’s Family Literacy Library Services Program” (pre-printed labels will be available from FLLS),
  • the grant will NOT cover food or taxes on purchases,
  • to be reimbursed for grant purchases, recipients must fill out a Reimbursement Form and attach receipts,
  • all purchases for reimbursement must be made by June 1, the reimbursement paperwork completed by June 4, and the final report submitted by June 9.

This mini-grant cycle may be competitive, based on the number of libraries that apply. Applications will be evaluated on clarity of what is to be purchased and how the purchase(s) tie into the library’s early literacy work.

Mini-grant application questions Word Document
Mini-grant application (due May 7, 2021)
Mini-grant final report questions Word Document
Mini-grant final report (due June 9, 2021) – Please wait to complete this report until after you have completed your purchases.
Mini-grant reimbursement form Word Document

For questions, please contact Heidi Eckerson at heckerson@flls.org or 607-273-4074 x 227.
To learn more about the New York State Family Literacy Library Services Program, visit http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/familylit/.

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Ready to Read at New York Libraries

As part of the 2016-2019 New York State Family Literacy Library Services Program, the Finger Lakes Library System participated in the New York State Education Department’s Ready to Read at New York Libraries initiative. All five of the foundation training components were taught to interested FLLS member library staff between 2015 and 2018.

  1. Everyone Serves Families with Young Children, presentation and handbook
  2. Strengthening Young Families through Early Literacy Practices, presentation and handbook
  3. Early Literacy Community Asset Analysis, presentation and handbook
  4. Strategies for Successful Partnerships and Outreach to Families with Young Children, presentation and handbook
  5. Early Learning Spaces, presentation and handbook

Other Applicable Trainings

 

Demographic Data Resources:

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Early Literacy Organizations

 

Additional Resources

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