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For Public Libraries:

The North Shore Workforce Investment Board and the Essex County Community Foundation announce the release of the F1rst Jobs Fund request for proposals. Eligible applicants are public agencies of local or state government and non-profit organizations interested in providing quality summer employment opportunities for teens (14-19) in 19 North Shore communities.

The deadline is March 10, 2006. Copies of the RFP and a list of eligible communities are at: www.northshorewib.com/Request%20for%20Proposals.

For Schools:

ING Unsung Heroes began 10 years ago as a way for ING to demonstrate its commitment to the education community. The awards are given to K-12 educators pioneering new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning.

Educators submit applications for an ING Unsung Heroes award by describing projects they have initiated or would like to pursue. Each year, 100 finalists are selected to receive a $2,000 award, payable to both the winning teacher and the school. Three are selected for additional financial awards: $25,000 for first place; $10,000 for second place; and $5,000 for third place. The deadline is May 1, 2006.

See: www.ing.com/us/aboutING/communityconnections/ineducation/unsungheroes/001137.html

Lowe's Toolbox for Education program awards grants to parent-teacher organizations and parent-teacher associations for improvement projects at up to 1,000 schools across the United States.

Launched in partnership with PTO Today, an organization serving parent-teacher groups, Toolbox for Education will provide grants of up to $5,000 for a wide range of efforts, including public school libraries. PTO Today will provide a variety of resources to help parent groups apply for the grants.

The deadline is March 15, 2006. Visit the Toolbox for Education program for grant guidelines and application procedure: www.toolboxforeducation.com/

For Public and School Libraries:

National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants offer support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations - those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Funding is $10,000.

The deadline is June 1, 2006. See: www.arts.gov/grants/apply/GAP07/ChallengeAmerica.html

For Libraries, Museums, and Public Broadcasting Outlets:

IMLS Partnership for a Nation of Learners Community Collaboration Grants build and strengthen working relationships among libraries, museums, and public broadcasting licensees. The deadline is March 1, 2006. See: www.imls.gov/grants/l-m/lm_pnl.htm

For Libraries of All Types in Essex County:

The Essex National Heritage Commission (ENHC) Partnership Grant Program is a matching grant program created to foster collaboration between organizations that share the ENHC's mission to preserve and promote the historic, cultural and natural resources in the region. For more information see: essexheritage.org/partnershipgrants/applicationhome.shtml

The Thomas M. Leonard Partnership Grant for Education was established in recognition of founding ENHC President Tom Leonard and is designed to nurture the future stewards of the historic, cultural and natural resources of Essex County. This annual grant will be awarded to a qualifying non-profit organization targeting under-served youth ages 8-16 in Essex County.

Details are at: essexheritage.org/partnershipgrants/2006educationcriteriatlg.shtml

ENHC grant due dates have changed. Applications are now due March 1, 2006. See: essexheritage.org/partnershipgrants/applicationhome.shtml

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)

NEH for Public and School Libraries:

Thomson Gale and School Library Journal Announce the Giant Step Award for 2006. This Award recognizes school and public libraries that have made significant improvement or created new initiatives in programs and services that greatly impact student learning and development, or enrich services both in the school and in the community that impact student learning and development -- programs that, over the past three years, have made a real difference in their institution.

The deadline is February 15. Information and an application are at: www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA631561.html

As part of its "We the People" initiative, the NEH is collaborating with the American Library Association to present the "We the People" Bookshelf, a program that encourages young people to read classic books and explore themes in American history, culture, and ideas.

School (K-12) and public libraries are invited to apply for fifteen thematically related books which embody the theme of "Becoming American." www.wethepeople.gov/bookshelf/index.html

Apply by March 1, 2006 (new deadline) to get free books for your library.

NMRLS member library, Coolidge Middle School (Reading), received a "We the People" Bookshelf grant in July 2005.

NEH For Libraries of All Types:

NEH Challenge Grants help institutions and organizations secure long-term improvements in and support for their humanities programs and resources. A match is required.

The deadline is May 1, 2006. See: www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/challenge.html

NEH News:

Starting in 2006, all institutions applying for an NEH grant must submit their applications via Grants.gov. In order to submit applications, your institution must register with Grants.gov and create an institutional profile. Once registered, your organization can then apply for any government grant on the Grants.gov Web site.

To help you through the Grants.gov registration process, NEH has created a www.neh.gov/grants/grantsgov/grantsgovchecklist.html handy checklist.

See: www.neh.gov/grants/grantsgov/about.html for details.

Congratulations to NMRLS members who recently received NEH Preservation and Access grants:

Stephen Phillips Memorial Trust House
Project Title: Purchase Storage Materials to Preserve Works of Art
Description: The purchase of materials to rehouse 250 works of art in the collection of the Stephen Phillips Trust House.

Andover Historical Society
Project Title: Rehousing the Photograph Collection of the Andover Historical Society
Description: The purchase of archival supplies to rehouse a collection of 2,000 photographs and stereopticon views dating from 1840 to the present that document the history and culture of Andover, Massachusetts.

Northeast Document Conservation Center
Project Title: Regional Preservation Field Services in the Northeast
Description: A preservation field service program that provides surveys, workshops and seminars, technical consultations, and disaster assistance to institutions in the Northeast.