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<div>FYI, please find information on the Spark! Ignition grants below, including dates for informational webinars in December and January. These grants have no match and are intended to fund new program or organizational ideas so they may be a good opportunity.<br>
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Karren Reish</div>
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Library Grants Coordinator</div>
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Library of Michigan </div>
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517-241-0021</div>
<span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 13pt;"><a href="mailto:reishk@michigan.gov">reishk@michigan.gov</a></span></div>
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<p><strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</strong><br>
<span class="date">December 2, 2014</span></p>
<p><strong>IMLS Press Contact</strong><br>
202-653-4799<br>
Giuliana Bullard, <a href="mailto:gbullard@imls.gov" style="color: #0D6573;">gbullard@imls.gov</a></p>
<p align="center" class="midBoldBrown"><strong>Notice of Funding Opportunity: FY 2015 Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries</strong></p>
<p class="copy"><strong>Washington, DC</strong>—The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries. The application deadline is<strong> February 2, 2015</strong><strong>.</strong></p>
<p>Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are small grants that encourage libraries and archives to prototype and evaluate innovations that result in new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. They enable grantees to undertake activities that
involve risk and require them to share project results–whether they succeed or fail–to provide valuable information to the library field and help improve the ways libraries serve their communities.</p>
<p>The funding range is from $10,000 to $25,000, and there are no matching requirements. Projects must begin on October 1, November 1, or December 1, 2015.
<a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=1&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
Click here for program guidelines and more information about the funding opportunity</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Getting Your Questions Answered</strong><br>
IMLS staff members are available by phone and email to discuss general issues relating to the Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries program. We also invite you to participate in a webinar to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions
and comments of other participants.</p>
<p>The webinars are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014, and Tuesday, January 6, 2015, both at 4 p.m. ET. <a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=2&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">Learn more</a></p>
<p>IMLS is using the Blackboard Collaborate system (version 12.5). If you are a first-time user of Blackboard,
<a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=3&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
click here to check your system compatibility and configure your settings</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=4&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">See grant program guidelines for additional webinar details</a>.</p>
<p><b>About the Institute of Museum and Library Services </b><br>
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's
<a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=5&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
123,000 libraries</a> and <a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=6&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
35,000 museums</a>. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make
it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit <a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=7&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
www.imls.gov</a> and follow us on <a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=8&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
Facebook</a> and <a href="http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=9&d=73&mid=363882&m=2413" style="color: #0D6573;">
Twitter</a>.</p>
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