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GuidelinesReceipt Deadline: January 30, 2009 Date posted: August 11, 2008 CFDA No. 45.168. Beginning September 2, 2008, NEH will accept applications for the We the People Bookshelf on “Picturing America” here. These guidelines explain the program and how to prepare an online application. Questions?Contact the American Library Association staff at 1–800–545–2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org. You can also contact the NEH at 202–606–8337 or wethepeople@neh.gov. Hearing–impaired applicants can contact NEH via TDD at 1–866–372–2930. Type of AwardSuccessful applicants will receive a set of classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the “Picturing America” theme. The set includes seventeen books in English and Spanish translations of three of these works. These books are appropriate for reading levels from Kindergarten to twelfth grade. Two additional selections will appeal to audiences of all ages: 1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough and Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. Libraries will also receive supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters. Program DescriptionAs part of its We the People program, NEH is collaborating with the American Library Association (ALA) to present the We the People Bookshelf, a program that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas. School libraries (K–12) and public libraries are invited to apply for a full set of books that embody in one way or another the theme “Picturing America.” The ThemeThe “Picturing America” Bookshelf is based on the premise that literature, as well as art, can be a window on a nation’s character, ideals, and aspirations. This premise has been the foundation of all previous We the People Bookshelves, which have offered writings, primarily by American authors, that express the ideals of courage and freedom, the meaning of being or becoming American, the right to pursue happiness, and the belief in universal human equality. The “Picturing America” Bookshelf offers young readers the opportunity to experience vividly some of the iconic times, places, people, and stories in American history and culture. The selected books, written by some of America’s best authors, tell enduring stories and bring to light the distinctive qualities of the nation’s varied regions and diverse people. The We the People Bookshelf on “Picturing America” is intended to be a literary complement to the Picturing America SM collection of American art reproductions. You do not need to have applied for or received the Picturing America art collection in order to apply for the “Picturing America” Bookshelf. However, if your school or library has not been awarded the Picturing America art collection under a previous deadline, you may apply for one now through November 14, 2008. Click here to apply for the Picturing America art collection. The BookshelfBooks selected for the “Picturing America” Bookshelf are:
NEH selected these books in consultation with members of the ALA and members of the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), a division of the ALA. Library and community programsIn return for receiving a Bookshelf, libraries are required to organize programs that introduce the books and the “Picturing America” theme to the library’s students, young patrons, or intergenerational audiences. Programs should take place between May 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010. In addition to the books, libraries will receive supplemental materials to help with publicity and administration of public programs. Programs should take place within the recipient school or library, although programs may also extend beyond the library walls through collaboration with other school or public libraries. NEH encourages collaboration among libraries within school districts or library systems to encourage young people to reflect on the theme “Picturing America.” The online application process makes it possible for the central office of a school district or library system to apply on behalf of all of its member libraries, up to a total of 100. If you submit an application on behalf of multiple schools or libraries, you as project director will be responsible for communicating with each participating library about the project: sharing with them the narrative statement, notifying them of the award, and checking program status with each of them during the grant term. Libraries may also collaborate with other (non–library) organizations to develop local history displays, intergenerational story hours, living history presentations, or public events focused on specific historical or cultural “pictures of America” illuminated by one or more of the books. Activities might include, but are not limited to:
For additional programmatic and publicity ideas, consult the following sources:
Award InformationThe We the People Bookshelf will be awarded to 4,000 libraries. Each of the libraries selected will receive a set of classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the “Picturing America” theme. These include seventeen titles in English, three selections in Spanish translation, and the two special volumes, 1776: The Illustrated Edition by David McCullough and Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out by the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance. Each selected library will also receive supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters. EligibilityAll public libraries and school libraries (K–12) in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. School libraries (K–12) include public, private, parochial, charter schools, and home school consortia. Libraries with collections that circulate to the general public and offer reading–based programs for the general public are eligible to apply. Libraries may also collaborate with other (non–library) organizations to develop and deliver programs; however, the Bookshelves must be housed in the libraries to which they are awarded. Individuals, organizations other than libraries, and schools and libraries operated by Federal entities, such as the Department of Defense, are not eligible to apply. Applications may be submitted by:
Ineligible applications will not be reviewed. How to Prepare and Submit an ApplicationNEH will accept applications for the Bookshelf at http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/application/2008 between September 2, 2008, and January 30, 2009. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before filling out an application. Getting StartedTo begin the application process, go to http://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/application/2008. There are seven main steps you need to complete in order to apply for the Bookshelf:
1. LOG IN OR REGISTERBefore you access the application, you must register to create an application account.
2. COMPLETE PROJECT DIRECTOR INFORMATIONTo register, you must complete the Project Director Information. You must register to create a new account even if you have created an account for a previous We the People Bookshelf competition. Note: The Project Director is the person completing the online form.
Note: If you submit an application on behalf of multiple schools or libraries, you as project director will be responsible for communicating with each participating library about the project: i.e., sharing the narrative statement, notifying them of the award, and checking program status during the grant term. On the Project Director Information screen, all information is required:
After clicking the “SAVE” button, you will be able to return to the application at any time and log in using your e-mail address and password. This will allow you to edit, save, and return to your application as needed prior to the January 30, 2009, submission deadline. 3. COMPLETE RECIPIENT LIBRARY INFORMATIONEnter the shipping information for the Recipient Library. If this library is selected to receive the “Picturing America” Bookshelf, books and other materials will be shipped by UPS directly to this address. All information is required:
Select
4. WRITE THE PROJECT NARRATIVEWrite a narrative explaining how the Bookshelf would be used in your library or libraries. This is the most important part of your application. The narrative must not exceed 3,200 characters (approximately 425 words) in length. We recommend that you prepare the text using a word processing program. You can then “copy” and “paste” your essay into the online form. Note that the application system counts the number of characters you have used. If you exceed the character limit, you will not be able to submit your application until you revise your narrative to fit the space provided. Sample proposals and ideas for programming can be found at https://publicprograms.ala.org/bookshelf/programming/ and at http://edsitement.neh.gov/wtpbookshelf/.
Note that as project director for an application submitted on behalf of multiple libraries, you must be prepared to communicate with all participating libraries in the following ways: share your narrative statement, provide award notification to each library, and check in on programming status during the grant term. The narrative should address the following questions:
5. REVIEW AND EDIT YOUR APPLICATIONThe Review and Edit page summarizes all the information you have entered, including your Project Director Information, Recipient Library Information, and your Narrative. From this page you can:
6. CERTIFY AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONAn application for the We the People Bookshelf is an application for an award from the National Endowment for the Humanities, an agency of the Federal Government. ALA is required by law to ask applicants to identify for each application a Certifying Official, who is authorized to apply on behalf of the organization.
To complete this section, you must enter all of the following information:
If your application is selected, the “Picturing America” Bookshelf books and materials will be shipped to each individual library included in your application. If, instead, you wish to have all “Picturing America” Bookshelf sets shipped to the Project Director’s address, check the “Shipping Preference” box. Note that if this option is selected, the Project Director’s address may not be listed as a P.O. Box.
Check the “Certification” box to indicate acceptance by the Certifying Official of the following language: By checking this box and submitting this application, the authorized representative for the applicant organization certifies that all statements contained herein are true and correct to the best of their knowledge and belief; and that the applicant organization is neither presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency. 7. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATIONOnce you have completed all parts of your application, you may submit it at any time by selecting the “Submit Application” button. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. C.S.T. on January 30, 2009. Applications submitted after that time will be considered ineligible. Note that once you have submitted your application:
Application ReviewSelection CriteriaApplications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Review ProcessEach application will be assessed by a review panel of librarians and teachers in collaboration with the staff of ALA and NEH. Evaluators may take geographical and demographic distribution into consideration when selecting schools. The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities will make the final decision. Award Administration Information
Award noticesApplicants will be notified via e–mail by April 3, 2009, of the outcome of their applications. Reporting requirementsAward recipients will be required to submit a one–page final performance report to the American Library Association by May 31, 2010. Points of ContactIf you have questions about the program, contact: American Library Association or We the People Other InformationPrivacy PolicyInformation in these guidelines is solicited under the authority of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act of 1965, as amended, 20 U.S.C. 956. The principal purpose for which the information will be used is to process the grant application. The information may also be used for statistical research, analysis of trends, and Congressional oversight. Failure to provide the information may result in the delay or rejection of the application. Application Completion TimeThe Office of Management and Budget requires federal agencies to supply information on the time needed to complete forms and also to invite comments on the paperwork burden. NEH estimates the average time to complete this application is one hour per response. This estimate includes time for reviewing instructions, researching, gathering, and maintaining the information needed, and completing and reviewing the application. Please send any comments regarding the estimated completion time or any other aspect of this application, including suggestions for reducing the completion time, to the Director of the Office of Publications, National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington, DC 20506; and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (3136–0134), Washington, DC 20503. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB number. |