Beginning September 19, NEH will accept applications for the We the People
Bookshelf on the "Pursuit of Happiness" at http://grants.neh.gov.
These guidelines explain the program and how to prepare an online application.
New for this year: Application on behalf of multiple libraries in a school district or library system has been simplified!
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.
Technical questions regarding the online application should be sent to wethepeople@neh.gov.
Type of Award
Successful applicants will receive fifteen classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme. In addition, libraries will receive four of these books in Spanish translation, a bonus CD with traditional music featured in the Little House series of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters.
As 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 (K-12) and public libraries are invited to apply for fifteen thematically related books that embody the theme of the "Pursuit of Happiness."
The Bookshelf
Books selected for the "Pursuit of Happiness" Bookshelf are:
Kindergarten to Grade 3
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
Mike Mulligan Y Su Máquina Maravillosa by Virginia Lee Burton (translated by Yanitzia Canetti)
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost
Grades 4 to 6
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Tuck para siempre by Natalie Babbitt (translated by Narcis Fradera)
The Great Migration: An American Story by Jacob Lawrence
These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Journal of Wong Ming-Chung by Laurence Yep *
Grades 7 to 8
Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan *
Esperanza Renace by Pam Muñoz Ryan (translated by Nuria Molinero)
Grades 9 to 12
Kindred by Octavia Butler
O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
Pioneros by Willa Cather (translated by Gema Moral Bartholomé)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Bonus CD:
Happy Land: Musical Tributes to Laura Ingalls Wilder performed by various artists
______________________
* Books donated by Scholastic, Inc.
NEH selected these books, in consultation with members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of ALA.Library and community programs
In return for receiving a Bookshelf, libraries are required to organize programs that introduce the books and the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme to the library's students, young patrons, or to intergenerational audiences. Programs should take place between May 1, 2007, and April 30, 2008. In addition to the books and the CD, libraries will receive supplemental materials to help with publicity and administration of public programs.
Programs can take place within the applicant's school or library. Programs can also extend beyond the library walls through collaboration with other libraries or schools in the system. NEH especially encourages programs in which the Bookshelf is part of a larger effort to encourage young people and other members of the community to reflect on the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme. Libraries may collaborate with other (non-library) organizations to develop local history displays, intergenerational story hours, living history presentations, or public events focused on the "Pursuit of Happiness" and its place in American history and culture.
Activities might include, but are not limited to:
- prominent display of the Bookshelf to promote patron awareness;
- a program of readings based on the Bookshelf by local civic and business leaders;
- special story hours featuring one or more books and exploring how it (or they) illustrate the theme of the "Pursuit of Happiness";
- a panel discussion with community leaders and teachers highlighting the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme and how the books express that theme;
- a book club for young readers based on the Bookshelf;
- ribbons or certificates to recognize young readers who read all the books in their age category;
- discussion of the books on local cable TV and/or radio programs; or
- the presentation of one of the books as a play, after which children are encouraged to discuss how the work illustrates the theme of the "Pursuit of Happiness."
Additional programmatic and publicity ideas will be available from the American Library Association's website at www.ala.org/wethepeople.
The We the People Bookshelf will be awarded to 2,000 libraries. Each of the libraries selected will receive fifteen classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme. In addition, libraries will receive four of these books in Spanish translation, a bonus CD with traditional music featured in the Little House series of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters.
All public libraries and school libraries (K-12) in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. School libraries (K-12) include those in public, private, parochial, or charter schools. Other libraries, such as "special" or "research" libraries with circulating collections and reading-based programs for the general public, are also 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.
Ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Applications may be submitted by:
- individual libraries applying on their own;
- multiple libraries within a single system, town, county, etc., that apply on their own;
- library systems or school districts applying on behalf of multiple branches or schools; and
- libraries that apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a community.
NEH will accept applications for the Bookshelf at http://grants.neh.gov between September 19, 2006, and January 31, 2007.
Note: Libraries do not submit applications for this program via Grants.gov.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before filling out an application.
1. Getting Started
To begin the application process, go to http://grants.neh.gov.
If you do not already have a user account, you must create one by providing your name and e-mail address and then selecting a password. Use an e-mail address that will be valid until at least May 31, 2007. Your user account will allow you to create, save, and revise your application. You cannot log in to the application system until you have created an account.
2. Choose We the People Bookshelf from the Grant Programs Menu
From the list of grant programs, click the "Apply" button to select "We the People Bookshelf."
3. Navigating the Application System
The next screen you will see is the Application Menu for the We the People Bookshelf. From this menu you can access the three parts of your application, which are:
- Applicant Information
- Project Description
- Library Information
Later, if you are applying on behalf of multiple libraries, you will also use this menu to access the "Add a Branch/School Library" feature. The "Help" button on this page provides a step-by-step guide to using the "Add a Branch/School Library" feature. (Also see How to apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a single school district, library system, or community)
You will also see a navigation menu on the left side of your browser window. You can also use this menu to access the three parts of your application. This menu will be available regardless of which section of your application is open, so you can get to other sections easily. From this menu you may:
- create and edit your Applicant Information;
- create and edit your Project Description;
- create and edit your Library Information;
- submit your application;
- print your Application Summary;
- change your password.
Saving your information allows you to log out and come back another time to finish or edit your application before submitting it. Once you have submitted your application, however, you will no longer be able to make changes in it.
A note about formatting:
Your application will be saved as plain text. Special formatting such as italics, underlining, and "curly quotes" will not be saved. You should plan accordingly by using alternatives to such formatting (e.g., putting book titles in quotation marks or all uppercase letters). You should not, however, use angle brackets ("<" and ">"). Since brackets are commonly used in HTML, the code that drives the web-based online application system, the system will interpret them as faulty HTML code and generate an error message.
4. Completing the Applicant Information (Part 1 of 3)
Access the Applicant Information screen. Here you are asked for basic information about the person submitting the application. You are asked to provide a name, address, e-mail address, and telephone and fax numbers.
- For libraries applying individually, this probably will be a member of the library staff.
- For applicants applying for Bookshelves on behalf of multiple libraries, this will be the person coordinating the program at the school district, library system, or community level.
Note: If you are applying on behalf of a school library or multiple libraries, please use the first line of the street address to identify your organization (e.g., Jackson Public Library system, Washington County Schools, etc.). When you use the "Add a Branch/School Library" feature, the system will duplicate and re-use the Applicant Information as you complete applications for additional libraries. (see How to apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a single school district, library system, or community)
Save your work before going to the next section.
5. Completing the Project Description (Part 2 of 3)
Access the Project Description screen. Here you are asked to provide a description of the activities your library or school would conduct if you are awarded a Bookshelf.
The Project Description for a single library should address the following questions:
- What programs will your library use to promote the We the People Bookshelf?
- How will the programs explore the theme of "Pursuit of Happiness"?
- How will the programs engage young readers?
- Is the program being planned in collaboration with other libraries and/or other community organizations?
- What strategies will the library use to encourage long-term use of the Bookshelf?
Your Project Description should be a little different if you are applying to receive Bookshelves for multiple libraries. See the questions below. The assumption is that you are planning a district- , system- , or community-wide project. When you use the "Add a Branch/School Library" feature, the system will duplicate and re-use the Project Description as you complete applications for additional libraries. (See How to apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a single school district, library system, or community.)
- What programs will your district/system use to promote the We the People Bookshelf?
- How will the programs explore the theme of "Pursuit of Happiness"?
- How will the programs engage young readers?
- Are other (non-library) organizations involved in planning and implementing your programs?
- What strategies will the system/district use to encourage long-term use of the Bookshelf?
Additional ideas for programming can be found at www.ala.org/wethepeople.
The Project Description 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 submission form. If you exceed the character limit, you will receive an error message informing you of the total number of characters of your submission. You must make appropriate revisions to your project description in order to submit it. Tip: Most word processing programs provide character counts as part of their "word count" feature.
Save your work before going to the next section.
6. Completing Library Information (Part 3 of 3)
Access the Library Information screen. In this section you are asked to provide information about your library.
Note: If you are applying on behalf of multiple libraries, you will complete this part of the application multiple times, once for each library on whose behalf you are applying.
Provide the following:
- the name of the library—i.e., the library in which the Bookshelf would be placed if your application is successful.
- type of library (public, public school, private school, charter school, or other).
- level (elementary, secondary, or combined).
- size of the community in which the library is located (less than 25,000; 25,000 to 100,000; or more than 100,000).
- the ALA membership number for the library or for the person submitting the application. If not applicable, please enter "0000000" (seven zero's).
- the shipping address of the library (street address, city, state, and zip code). Do not include P.O. Box addresses
in this field. All Bookshelves will be shipped by UPS Ground. UPS requires a street address.
Note: If you are applying on behalf of multiple libraries, use the first line of the shipping address to identify the person in this school or library building to whose attention the books should be shipped (e.g., "c/o Marjorie Jones" or "Attn: Charles Foible.") - the county in which the library is located. If the library is not located in a county, please enter "None."
- the name and title of the authorizing official.
- For individual libraries, this will be the person authorized to submit applications for funding on behalf of the library. Depending on the institution, this could be the director of the library, another library administrator, the school principal, or a member of an appointed or elected board.
- For applicants applying on behalf of multiple libraries, this will be a person authorized to submit applications for funding on behalf of the whole school district or library system. When you use the "Add a Branch/School Library" feature, the system will duplicate and re-use this information as you complete applications for additional libraries. (See How to apply on behalf of multiple libraries within a single school district, library system, or community .)
Save your work before going to the next section.
7. Reviewing your application
After you have completed and saved all three pages of the application, click the "Print Application" button on the navigation menu on the left side of your browser. The system will generate an Application Summary containing all the information you have provided. Review this summary and return to any screens on which you wish to make corrections.
Saving your information allows you to log out and come back another time to finish or edit your application before submitting it.
Once you have submitted your application, however, you will no longer be able to make changes in it.
8. Submitting your application
Once you are finished with your application, click the "Submit" link on the left-hand navigation menu.
After you click the "Submit" button on the left-side menu, you will access a screen that tells you which sections of your application are complete and what information is missing. It will also tell you if your Project Description is too long. Once your application is complete, click the "Submit" button on the main screen.
You must click the "Submit" button on the main screen in order to submit your application.
If you are submitting applications on behalf of multiple libraries, you must click the "Submit" button for each application.
All applications must be submitted by January 31, 2007, 5:00 p.m. local time.
Remember, once you have submitted your application, you will no longer be able to make changes in it. However, you can duplicate a submitted application for the purposes of "Add a Branch/School Library."
9. Printing, Signing, and Mailing a Paper Copy
On the left-side navigation menu, click "Print Application" again to retrieve the Application Summary.
Print one copy of the Application Summary. Have it signed and dated by your library's authorizing official and mail it to:
We the People "Pursuit of Happiness" Applications
American Library Association
Public Programs Office
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
If you are applying on behalf of multiple libraries, you must submit a copy of each library’s Application Summary. Each application must be signed by the Authorizing Official. (If the number of applications you are submitting makes this requirement overly burdensome, please contact ALA at 312-280-5045 to discuss alternatives).
Please make a note of your tracking number on the outside of the envelope near your return address. (You can find the tracking number in the upper right-hand corner of the Application Summary.) If you are applying on behalf of multiple libraries, please note only one tracking number.
Your Application Summary should arrive at ALA's Public Programs office by February 10, 2007. An application that has been submitted online will not be considered eligible to receive a Bookshelf unless the signed Application Summary has been received.
You should also print another copy of the Application Summary for your records.
Application deadlines
Your online application must be submitted (i.e. you must hit the "Submit" button) by January 31, 2007, 5:00 p.m. local time.
ALA must receive your Application Summary by mail no later than February 10, 2007.
Late applications will not be reviewed.
Selection criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Are the proposed programs well conceived, and are they likely to appeal to the intended audience, whether it is young readers in a school, the young patrons of a library, or a broader public community?
- Do the proposed programs explore the theme of the "Pursuit of Happiness"?
- Do the proposed programs make good use of the Bookshelf in exploring the theme?
- Will the proposed programs engage young readers?
- Does the library (or school district, library system, or community) provide a long-term plan for promoting ongoing interest in the Bookshelf?
- Is the application clear and complete?
Review process
Each application will be assessed by a review panel of librarians in collaboration with the staff of ALA and NEH. Evaluators may take geographical and demographic distribution into consideration when selecting libraries. The Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities will make the final decision.
| Application Deadline | Grant Notification | Programs at Libraries | Final Report Due |
| January 31, 2007 | March 31, 2007 | May 1, 2007, through April 30 2008 | May 31, 2008 |
Award notices
Libraries that apply for the We the People Bookshelf will be notified via e-mail and/or letter regarding the success of their applications.
Use of books
Libraries should add the books they receive as part of the Bookshelf to their permanent collections. No sales are permitted.
Reporting requirements
Award recipients will be required to submit a one-page final performance report to the American Library Association by May 31, 2008.
If you have questions about the program, contact:
We the People
National Endowment for the Humanities
Room 511
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20506
202-606-8337
Privacy Policy
Information 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 Time
The 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.