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About the LORI Grant Program

Institute of Museum and Library Services
Institute of Museums and Library Services

LORI Grants are offered by the Office of Library and Information Services as subgrants funded through its federal Institute of Museum and Library Services grant under the Grants to States Program supported by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. IMLS advances, supports, and empowers America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. The IMLS vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow IMLS on Facebook.

2021 LORI Summer Reading Mini-Grants

Library of Rhode Island (LORI) Summer Reading Program Mini-Grants are non-competitive grants available to all public libraries to support reading and learning programs this summer. The program will reimburse pre-approved expenditures for programming at libraries this summer which fall into OLIS' priorities for summer programming.

Eligibility

All public libraries that meet the Minimum Standards for Rhode Island Public Libraries in fiscal year 2021 (as of October 4, 2020) are eligible to apply. Applying libraries must offer a 2021 Summer Reading Program for youth and/or adults.

Funds

Applicants may request up to $500 for youth activities and up to $250 for adult activities. Library systems may request an additional $250 per location for youth activities.

Process

The grant program is non-competitive. It is not necessary to have spent or encumbered funds in order to apply, however no funds will be released for approved applications until proof of expenditure has been submitted.

Public libraries may apply for reimbursement of eligible expenditures. Approved expenditures will be reimbursed in September 2021 following submittal of proof of expenditure and acceptance of those expenditures by OLIS. A final report will be required with a short narrative describing the benefit to summer reading participants. Grantees will submit the request for payment and final report through a web form at the LORI Summer Reading Request for Payment Form

Libraries will track expenditures and provide proof of expenditure through a Google Drive folder; OLIS will be provide the grant manager with a link to their Google Folder upon receipt of their signed grant agreement. Grant recipients must complete the expense tracker and upload all proof of expenditure before a Request for Payment is filed. All applications, reimbursement requests, and proof of expenditure must be submitted electronically.  Acceptable documents to support proof of expenditure include original digital receipts for items purchased online and/or billed electronically or pdf scans of original documents for transactions conducted physically. Where they exist, paper records must be maintained and provided to OLIS upon request for audit purposes.

Allowable Expenditures

Approved expenditures made from the execution of the grant agreement through July 9, 2021 are eligible for reimbursement. The list of allowable expenditures is not exhaustive, but this program is limited to providing supplies and services to support reading and learning activities. Please contact OLIS if you have questions about allowable expenditures.

Non-Allowable Expenditures

  • Supplies and services reimbursed under other state or federal programs
  • Summer Reading Program incentives
  • Presenters or performers
  • Food or drink
  • Other expenses that do not align with the goals of OLIS’ Five-Year Plan

Important Dates

  • March 8, 2021: Application opens.
  • April 9, 2021: Application deadline. Applications with errors or requests for non-allowable expenditures will be returned for revision.
  • April 30, 2021: Deadline for revising and resubmitting returned applications.
  • May 14, 2021: Deadline for returning signed agreements.
  • July 9, 2021: Final date to make expenditures.
  • August 16, 2021: Deadline for submitting the completed request for payment and final report.

Application and Contact Information

The application is now closed.

Questions about this program should be directed to Danielle Margarida, Youth Services Coordinator.

Informational Webinar

An informational webinar was held March 8, 2021. View the webinar slides.