Deadline Extended for DPI’s Early Literacy Mini-Grants

The deadline for the Early Literacy Mini-Grants has been extended one week.  The new deadline is Friday, July 19 at 4:00pm.

Additionally, if you have experienced difficulty in securing a DUNS number for the application, try applying online at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/pages/CCRSearch.jsp.  Note, your library must have its own DUNS number—you cannot use the DUNS number for your municipality or friends group.  Your library director should know if  your library already has a DUNS number.  If you are unsure if you have one or need to establish one, follow the directions online.  Lastly, if you do not have your DUNS number by the mini-grant application deadline, use “999999999” (nine nines) in the application.   If your application is selected, you must secure your DUNS number by August 1, 2013.

The Public Library Development Team at the Department of Public Instruction will award 40 mini-grants in the amount of $250 to Wisconsin public libraries to support early literacy efforts.  This project is part of the larger Growing Wisconsin Readers early literacy initiative.  Libraries may apply for grants to establish or enhance either an early literacy activity area or a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program.  Priority will be given to libraries that serve a total municipal population of less than 10,000 and who serve children birth through age six with potentially limited exposure to early literacy experiences.  Ideally, the grants will be awarded to libraries throughout the state’s 17 regional library systems.

The application process opened on Monday, June 17, 2013 at 9:00am and closes on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 4:00pm.  For more information about the mini-grants, view http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/files/pld/pdf/2013_GWR_Mini-grant_info.pdf.  The information sheet and other documents related to Growing Wisconsin Readers are available at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn under “Initiatives.”

Tessa Michaelson Schmidt

Public Library Youth and Special Services Consultant
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
P: (608) 267-5077
tessa.schmidt@dpi.wi.gov