Advocacy Symposium registration info mailed out this week

I just heard word from PLA that they will be mailing out the registration information for the Advocacy Symposium this week.  Please watch your mail for this information – it will be going to the library director’s attention.  If you do not receive it by the middle of next week, please let me know.

- Steve

Latest Headlines Regarding the Grant

Great work to all of you who received inquiries from the press and did interviews.  Here are a few articles I have seen from the area.  Feel free to let me know if you see any articles written about your library.

Gates Foundation gives library grants in 11 states

Libraries to benefit from Gates grants
Laconia Citizen, NH - Jul 21, 2008

Brockton and Raynham library computers may get a boost from Gates …
Wicked Local Brockton, MA - Jul 18, 2008

A ‘Gates’-way to updated technology
Foster’s Daily Democrat, NH - Jul 18, 2008

Claremont, N.H., library receives $13000 Gates Foundation grant …

PLA Advocacy Symposium – Dates and Info

PLA “Turning the Page” Advocacy Symposium

Maine and New Hampshire participating libraries only:
September 9 – 11, 2008 – Location: Portland, ME

Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island participating libraries only:
September 23-25, 2008 – Location: Danvers, MA

The training is designed to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding for their libraries. The in-person training will be strongly recommended for all participating libraries, but those who are unable to attend in-person may choose to participate in an online training

• All meals during the conference are provided – Additional meals will not be covered.
• Travel expenses to the conference will be reimbursed in the form of a mileage payment.
• Hotel rooms, including tax and resort charges are covered for 2 nights. (Incidentals will not be covered.)
• All parking expenses and tolls will be covered.
• Alcohol will be served at the dinners-additional alcohol purchases will not be covered.

You will be receiving specific information on these events by email and standard mail from PLA – the organizer of the symposiums. You can also check out www.sustaininglibraries.org.

Grant approved, agreement letters sent

We are pleased to announce that the Opportunity Online hardware grant filed by NELINET on behalf of eligible libraries in CT, MA, ME, NH & RI has been approved by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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You should soon be receiving information in the mail from NELINET regarding next steps in working towards fulfilling the requirements stipulated by the grant.

Items that deserve your immediate attention:

1. Completing and submitting the Formal Grant Participation Agreement (Due by August 5)
2. Registering for the Advocacy Symposium coming up in September – you should be receiving registration information from PLA very soon.

Please contact Stephen Sanzo at NELINET (sanzo@nelinet.net) if you do not receive this information by early next week.