Questions? Contact:

 

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.

2022 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 2022 (as of July 1, 2021) are eligible to apply. Applying libraries must offer a 2022 Summer Reading Program for youth and/or adults.

Funds

Applicants may request up to $600 for youth activities and up to $300 for adult activities. Library systems may request an additional $300 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 on a rolling basis through September 2022 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 using a template form that will be available in their Google Drive folder.

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 18, 2022 (for supplies and services) or August 1, 2022 (for hosting educational presenters) are eligible for reimbursement. The list of allowable expenditures is not exhaustive, but this program is limited to providing supplies, services, and educational presenters 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
  • Performers providing entertainment
  • Food or drink
  • Other expenses that do not align with the goals of OLIS’ Five-Year Plan

Important Dates and Request for Payment

  • March 7, 2022: Application opens.
  • March 28, 2022: Application deadline. Applications with errors or requests for non-allowable expenditures will be returned for revision.
  • April 11, 2022: Deadline for revising and resubmitting returned applications.
  • April 18, 2022: Deadline for returning signed agreements.
  • August 1, 2022: Deadline for receiving approved supplies and services.(Please note this date has been extended from the original deadline of July 18).
  • August 1, 2022: Deadline for hosting presenters.

Requests for reimbursement will be accepted on a rolling basis within two windows. You must select your window when you apply and cannot change your selection.

Application and Contact Information

Application.

Application Template

Questions about this program should be directed to:

Informational Webinar

An informational webinar was held February 28, 2022. Slides are available here.