I've been researching grants so I can buys stuff for the library like new books, books to have a book club, and funds to sponsor an "art and lecture" series.
My idea for an "art and lecture" series is to bring in guest speakers who would give a 15-20 minute program and then teach the students how to do a craft/ art project. I have a woman in town who makes jewelry. She could come in and tell her story and then show the students how to make something. I would need money to cover the cost of materials. I know of a woman who makes her skeins of wool yarn. It would be awesome for her to share the process and let the kids knit a hat. Ditto a candle maker. Ditto a soap maker. Ditto an organic gardener. These people will donate their time and sell me supplies at cost but I need money for the "cost" part.
As for book club, I want to be able to get 10 books a month so 9 kids (and me) can participate each month. I would like the students to be able to keep the books if they want- I can't even begin to explain how much would mean to some to these kids to be "given" a book. (And I have a sign up process so different kids will be able to participate monthly; I don't want it to be the same kids over and over.)
Any suggestions of where to go for money, please let me know. I know about our community foundation, local churches, and utility company foundations. I used to write grants for a living in a previous lifetime, so I know the basic drill. But I've been out of the game for awhile and it can't help to give me some ideas, please!!!!
The problem I have is that we have a development office who writes grants for stuff for the entire facility and I'm not "ALLOWED" to write to the same places. I understand, on principle. But I want a couple hundred bucks where they ask for several THOUSANDS.
Someone suggested I tap into private individuals I know who would give some money. Ummm, okay. I don't that many individuals who could give me $100 a month so I can do book club, and another $50-100 a month for art and lecture. I'm going to give that a whirl. I know I could just people for whatever they can give, and do it in small increments, and that's probably what I will do.
So, I'm cheating and starting here. If any readers would like to make a donation to the library for either of these projects, please let me know. I can start a paypal account, or for those of you who know me/ trust me, I'll give you my address and you can send the funds to me, made out to the school of course. And I can provide a receipt- tax deduction!
Thanks for your support!
Maggie the Librarian
3 comments:
Hi again,
The group that I volunteer with gets free books from the The First Book National Book Bank. You can check them out. We are a non-profit. Maybe you can order through the school since you work with high risk kids.
To register:
http://booksforkids.firstbook.org/register/
Actual website:
http://help.firstbook.org/
Maybe a local yarn shop will donate unsold yarn to you if they can write it off. Same with unsold beads from a bead store???
Put a request in to Freecycle for supplies too. My Freeclycle is always giving away stuff like fabric, stamping stuff and scrapbooking supplies.
You could make a senior class quilt as a group project. Each person decorate a square and assemble it at the end of the year. Present it to the school at graduation and hang it in the library.
What an exciting project! Good luck!
P
PS Please email that picture! I sound like a pest but I'd love to see it!
if you post your reading list, maybe we can all donate books?
Sam/p- thank you for the great ideas!!!! (and I'll email you a pic this week. I need to "fix" my camera!)
Leslie- that is a great idea!! I'll do that this week! Thank you! (I have no idea why I didn't think of that... duh me!)
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