MONEY MATTERS: MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES IN GRANT FUNDING
	FOR LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS
	Session 15
	Tuesday, March 10, 1998
	9:30 AM - 11:30 AM


Co-Moderators: Marianne L. Cavanaugh, Associate Librarian, St. Louis Art Museum; and Pat Lynagh, Assistant Librarian, National Museum of American Art/National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution

Co-Sponsors: Museum Library Division, North American Relations Committee

	The genesis of this session was a posting which Marianne Cavanaugh put on ARLIS-L announcing that the funding for libraries was moved from the Department of Education to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  The response was such that it appeared that a session was needed.  The last session at ARLIS/NA on grant funding was 10 years ago; in that time the emphasis has been placed on cooperative projects, projects involving multiple funding sources and matching grants, as well as technology projects.  Grant funding agencies which are not represented in this session include state agencies, major national foundations, such as the Getty or Mellon Foundations.

Deidre Lawrence, Principal Librarian/Coordinator of Research Services, Brooklyn Museum of Art: 

	The goal today is to give an overview of the government and foundation funding that have benefitted the library and archival collections at the Brooklyn Museum.  Government and private monies are available to preserve, catalog and make accessible our collections; however, these funds are limited and there is stiff competition from other institutions.  The first step is to establish priorities in order to determine which collections are worthy of outside support and which agencies are best suited to fund a particular project.  It is helpful to develop a project list in order to construct an overall strategy.

	During her tenure at the Brooklyn Museum, the Library and Archives has secured over $1,000,000 to support library projects to automate and preserve research collections.  There have been eleven grants from government agencies and over ten foundation grants.  The Museum has added some funding from the general operating budget for automation, preservation and staffing.  In 1984, the Northeast Document Conservation Center conducted a library conservation survey which was subsidized by both NEH and the Museum.  The resulting report helped to prioritize the research collections to determine which parts needed immediate attention.  The archival records of the Museum*s history became a priority.  Also in 1984 the Museum obtained an NEA Visiting Specialists Grant which underwrote the cost of an architect to examine the existing library space.  In 1985, $45,553 was acquired from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission to consolidate and arrange the archival records of the Museum.  Also in 1985, the Art Museum Library Consortium was formed to secure funding for retrospective conversion; funds were obtained from the Culpepper Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Trust, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the H.W. Wilson Foundation.  

	In 1987, the Brooklyn Museum libraries were awarded a $48,259 NEH Office of Preservation grant to preserve Museum Yearbooks and a set of 19th century photographic prints of Mayan archaeological sites.  They were able to hire a library preservation assistant to oversee these two projects.  In retrospect, they should have sent the Yearbooks out before requesting the grant in order to get a more accurate estimate of cost.   The grant also enabled them to purchase a microfilm reader/printer.  An unspent balance of the NEH grant was applied towards the preservation of over 300 titles in the Library collection.  The grant enabled the library to establish a formal preservation program, with two part-time preservation assistants and a book conservator, as well as to provide funding for supplies and materials.

	In 1992 they got an NEH grant from the Division of Preservation and Access.  The project involved the inventory and exhibition of the Culin collection of Native American art, archival materials and books.  They initially approached the Pew and Getty trusts to seek support, but were turned down.  Four separate applications to NEH finally resulted in a grant of $170,500.  The project involved preservation and description of the collection.  A publication in 1996 increased access to the collection.

	The Library is now actively trying to raise approximately $1,000,000 to renovate the space, including climatization and new shelving.  Presently there are no federal programs for this type of project in libraries.  

	Other projects in the Library funded by NEH and IMLS include a grant to exhibit and interpret museum collections which are rarely on view along with relevant library materials, film and video programs, conservation projects, and the New York City Museum School Project.


George Farr, Director of Preservation and Access at the National Endowment for the Humanities

	Relatively few applications have been received in the Division of Preservation and Access from art libraries.  NEH provides many different types of support, as well as help in preparing proposals.  Mr. Farr provided a one-page sheet which describes the types of projects which the Endowment funds.  Other publications which can be ordered from NEH are *An Overview of Endowment Projects*, guidelines to applications, and guidelines to the NEH Challenge Grants Program.  Also available are funding lists of grants which have been supported and model applications to use as a guide.  

	The Endowment is also actively seeking reviewers for NEH projects.

	Mr. Farr referred to Marianne Cavanaugh*s survey which was posted on ARLIS-L.  One question on the survey was whether ARLIS members had projects which were unfunded in their libraries.  Those mentioned were staffing for organization of  archival collections, preservation rehousing of architectural drawings, facilities renovation, preservation reformatting and digitization, creating SGML versions of finding aids, database creation and data input, grant writing and fundraising.  All but one of these items is currently eligible for support under the NEH*s Challenge Grant program.  NEH supports the acquisition of equipment when it is integral to a funded project.  Training for preservation and scanning is available, as well as relevant staffing.  

	The Division of Preservation and Access was created to support projects which create, preserve and provide intellectual access to cultural resources which are important to research and education.  For very large projects, libraries may obtain more than one grant from NEH.  These grants include cataloging, processing, and the creation of surrogates, as well as staffing.  

	The National Heritage Preservation Program provides funds to stabilize material culture collections, including library materials which document these collections, except for a general reference library.  Mr. Farr gave a listing of library projects which have been funded.

	Projects which cut across institutional boundaries in a consortia arrangement are particularly favored at NEH.  Mr. Farr asked whether ARLIS/NA might have a way of providing a dialogue among various institutions on a continuous basis.  ARLIS/NA could carry great weight in such a capacity.

	There is one deadline for NEH applications--July 1.  Therefore, applicants should contact NEH early.  Any time during the year, applicants should call NEH if they have an idea.  NEH will also re-draft proposals for applicants.  Conditions for funding are the significance and potential impact of the project, the nature of the collection, how you have made use of the collection in the past.  The challenge in writing an application is to get down on paper why the collection is significant.  Reviewers look at the methodology, experience of the staff, and appropriateness of the budget.  Four to six people review each application.  Then a panel of scholars, other users and specialists review the proposal.  The NEH Division of Preservation and Access has been cut by 40% in the last two years; but they still have $18,000,000 to support projects.

	An NEH Challenge Grant can help your institution secure long-term support.  An institution can request up to $1,000,000 or as little as $25,000.  Every federal dollar has to be matched by at least three non-federal dollars in a Challenge Grant.  An institution can get more than one Challenge Grant, but must wait four years between grants.  You have five years to raise the non-federal match.  You can request that the Challenge Grant be made in installments.  There is a preference for requests which raise an endowment and which support research in your geographical area.            

	Mr. Farr encouraged all attendees to call him or his staff at NEH (202-606-8570) or by e-mail.




Elizabeth (Betsy) Sywetz, Deputy Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the Office of Library Services.

	IMLS is a newly formed federal agency established in 1996 under the Executive Branch.  .  Previously the Institute of Museum Services (IMS) dealt with museums, and library funding was under the Department of Education for forty years.  Now these two programs are combined.  The Office of Library Services which is made up of the Office of Discretionary Programs and the Office of State Programs.  More than 90% of funds are allocated to State Programs for the following: 1)establishing electronic links; 2) electronically linking libraries with educational services; 3) assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks; 4) encouraging libraries to establish consortia; 5) paying costs for libraries to acquire computer systems; and 6) targeting library services for underserved users.  Each state has established a five-year plan through its State Library agency.

	The Office of Discretionary Programs administers grants for Native American and Native Hawaiian library services and the National Leadership Grants.  The latter probably is the most promising for your libraries.  It provides grants for coordination between museums and libraries to develop programs which have national impact.  The legislation established four categories: education and training, research and demonstration (effective use of emerging technologies), preservation or digitization, and model programs of cooperation between museums and libraries.  

	IMLS foresees that approximately one-fourth of the LSTA funding of $1.3 million will be used for cooperative projects; in addition approximately $1 million from IMS is available for these cooperative projects.  About $4.1 million is available for the other three priorities.  National Leadership Grants will range from $15,000 to $500,000 per grant.  Cost-sharing among institutions will be considered as an element.  Any application for funds above $250,000 must be matched at least one to one with non-federal support.  All types of libraries  may apply; all types of museums may apply, but must be in a partnership with a library other than one associated with that museum.  Areas which are not funded are: construction, acquisition of collections, contributions to endowments, or social activities.  The deadline for applications this year is April 17th.

	IMLS uses a peer review process.  Professionals with specific expertise review applications.  Reviewers must have at least five years of relevant experience; they should be available to read 8 to 10 applications in a four-week period.  Volunteers are being sought for this review panel.


Mary Kuhn, Executive Director of the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation/Trustee and Senior Advisor with the Phoebus Fund/Chair of Women Working in Philanthropy

	The Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation was established in 1985 by George Bartol.  It focuses on arts and culture, and has only women on the Board.  The Foundation funds projects with particular implications for the Philadelphia region.  Emphasis is on historic preservation, programs for children and minorities, developing new art forms and expanding audiences. A $10,000 fellowship is provided bi-annually to artists or teachers who have used the arts in particularly effective ways.  

	Ms. Kuhn has canvassed her colleagues in private funding.  Libraries are usually funded under the arts and culture category or under education.  Private funding is increasing slightly.  35% of the budgets of non-profits come from the private sector.  About $150,000,000,000 was contributed by the private sector in 1996.  80% of that comes from individuals.  About 12% to 15% goes into the arts; of that, about 27% will go to museums.  Funding of libraries seems to be on the increase among private sector organizations, mostly for public libraries.  Access is an important aspect of private funding, especially expansion of the audience in a community.  Programming is another aspect which is receiving attention; this includes meeting the needs of the community, as well as teacher training.  Automation and Internet expansion is of less interest to private foundations, except in the case of collaborative and consortia projects.  

	The kinds of grants which private sector groups make include: general operations support relevant to a project; conservation and collection preservation (not so much for small foundations); funding for collections in light of current values; projects with regional interests; and ethnic arts and audiences.

	Fundable ideas favored by private organizations include: programming which shares research; publications and guides to research; internships and training programs; programs which attach to major events in your area.  Look at how you can cultivate individuals with an interest in your programming.    
	

								Pat Lynagh
								NMAA/NPG Library
								Assistant Librarian