Great Stories Club “Deeper Than Our Skins” and “Finding Your Voice” Series FAQ
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NEH Great Stories Club Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not listed below, please email 91ý's Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.
Are non-library organizations eligible to apply for a Great Stories Club grant?
No. However, institutions without a library that provide support to under-resourced, underserved, or at-risk populations are encouraged to contact their local library and create a partnering relationship with the library as the applicant.
If my library previously received a Great Stories Club grant for this, or a prior theme, may we apply again for one of the current GSC series?
Yes! Applications from previous Great Stories Club grantees are welcome.
Is attendance at the orientation workshop required?
Yes. The library's project director must be available to attend the virtual project orientation workshop. Orientation for "Deeper Than Our Skins" will take place in July 2023; the "Finding Your Voice" workshop will take place in July 2023. Exact dates for both themes will be determined soon.
Must libraries give the GSC books away to teens?
Yes. The library may keep up to one copy of each title for the library collection, and provide up to one copy for the discussion leader. All other books received through the grant must be gifted to program participants to keep as their own. If you cannot fulfill this program requirement, please contact Em Gallaugher (egallaugher@ala.org) to explore options for meeting the grant terms.
What ages are eligible to participate in a grant-funded GSC book club?
Teens and young adults ages 13-22 are eligible to participate in a grant funded GSC book club. Grant funds and provided books may not be used for a book club including participants outside of that age range.
How were the books chosen?
The books featured in both GSC series were selected and the supporting resources developed during a previous process supported by a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. This process involved collaboration between humanities scholars, programming librarian advisors, and 91ý staff. Learn more about the individuals on the . The essays and materials have been updated by project scholars with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Will 91ý substitute other books that are not on the list at our request?
No. The GSC program will provide supporting resources and training specific to the titles on the reading list only. 91ý cannot accommodate substitutions, though applicants are invited to select 3-4 titles to work with from the six-title reading list.
Will only successful applicants receive notification about the outcome of the application?
No. All applicants will be notified by 91ý, regardless of the outcome of their applications. Libraries will be notified via e-mail by May 17, 2023. If your library has not received notification by the stated date, please contact 91ý at 312-280-5045 or publicprograms@ala.org.
May I preview the grant application before completing it?
Yes. You can preview the grant application here (PDF).
May applications be submitted in hard copy?
No. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (CT) on March 15, 2023. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be reviewed. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call 312.280.5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.
This is my first time applying for a grant through 91ý's grants management platform. How do I use the system?
For more information about using our grants management system, please visit our How to Apply webpage.
I am an 91ý Member, but my login credentials do not work when I try to login to apply. Why is this happening?
This application process is conducted through our grant system which requires a separate login account from your 91ý member login. When you are taken to the application page, click “Create Account” under the login information prompts, and you will be taken to the Account Creation page. For more information about using our grants management system, please visit our How to Apply webpage.
Who should my letters of support be addressed to?
You can address any letters of support to the 91ý Public Programs Office.
Are letters of support required?
No - letters of support are optional. You may choose to include letters of support from your community to provide reviewers with more information about your project and community partnerships; however, they are not required and will not impact your eligibility.
What do you mean by certifying official?
The certifying official who signs off on your application should be anyone with your library who is able to submit applications for funding on behalf of the institution. This may vary depending on the institution but is typically the library director.
Can the certifying official be the same person as the project director and/or the person submitting the application?
Yes. The certifying official can be the same person listed as the project director and/or the person submitting the proposal as long as they are able to submit applications for funding on behalf of their institution.
What is the CFDA number for the Great Stories Club: "Deeper Than Our Skins" and "Finding Your Voice" grant?
The CFDA number is 45.164.
What if I have questions about my application?
The 91ý Public Programs Office staff is here to help. Please direct questions to Em Gallaugher (egallaugher@ala.org. We strongly advise interested applicants to get in touch early to allow enough time for staff to assist you before the March 15 application deadline. Technical questions are welcome any time.
