Illinois Library Systems: Cooperative Grants
Illinois multitype Library Systems frequently propose and are awarded grants of a scope that reaches far beyond their own regional borders. Below are brief descriptions of some these projects.
2008/2009 Grants
Broadband Evaluation and Planning Models
Many libraries are discovering that the level of
bandwidth that seemed adequate just a year ago is no longer serving the expanding
need for access. Bandwidth needs vary from library to library based on what Internet services are
being accessed, the number of computers that are connecting simultaneously and
sharing a given Internet connection. The calculator developed for this project will enable the user to calculate the
minimum bandwidth needed for that library to meet their projected service need.
Read the full grant application here! [pdf]
Researching Communities to Prepare for the Future
In order to keep public libraries relevant to users into the future, libraries need to find out what users want and expect from libraries-- as well as letting users and potential users know about the services they provide now, or that they can provide. Bridging that gap of information is the focus of this project.
Read the full grant application here! [pdf]
Illinoismap.info
In today's world, people expect fast, accurate access to information for making decisions concerning locations and trends, much of which depends on the mapping and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) information for answering. Through the Putting Illinois on the Map project, Illinoisans will have a robust interactive database and electronic map via the Internet for not just their geographic but also their spatial queries and analysis. This project is to investigate and test the feasibility of incorporating demographic information from the US Census Bureau with various taxing districts and other geographic and political boundaries within the State of Illinois into one database, for use by librarians, residents, municipalities and others.
Read the full grant applications here! [pdf]
2007 Grants
Plinkit
Creating and maintaining an online Web presence
is essential to connecting to today's users, yet many libraries
do not have access to this technology. The Plinkit project
provides libraries the ability to easily create and maintain
a Web site, an important portal into the services and materials
offered by local libraries.
Read the grant application! [pdf]
Universal OPAC
In a Google-ized world, users want to have
a discovery experience that mirrors what they have learned
on the Web. Currently, library users have to use multiple
interfaces to check the status of library resources. Through
a partnership with the Illinois State Library, Illinois
Library Systems, local libraries, and OCLC, Illinois is
piloting a service that will provide one stop access to
the holdings of Illinois libraries.
Read the grant application! [pdf]
Libraries as 21st Century Technology
Leaders
Libraries are frequently finding creative uses
for technology. A report commissioned by North Suburban
Library System and partnering with Illinois Library Systems
and local library leaders specifically identified those
innovations. Based on this data, a tool is being developed
to help libraries assess their position as technology innovators.
Read the grant application! [pdf]
Read the report! [part 1] [part 2]
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