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Funding Needs
A storytelling program or club will not be expensive, but you will incur some costs. Costs to consider are as follows:
- Cost of a guest performance by a kids’ troop or professional storyteller (optional).
- Books with stories that kids can tell and with tips on how to tell stories.
- Publicity costs (flyers, posters, newspaper advertising, etc.).
- Space rental for performances (look for places you can possibly use for free, such as church or park district community rooms, bookstore café areas, etc.).
- Staff time and expertise in planning and executing the program/club.
Funding Sources
Depending on the type of library you are in, you have different options for funding of a children’s storytelling program or club. Listed below are some sources to pursue for possible funding, organized by type of library (public or school).
Public Library Funding Sources:
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services. This organization provides grant monies for museums and libraries and also encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums.
- State Library. Your state library may award grants to individual libraries for specific initiatives and programming.
- Friends of the Library. You may be able to use Friends funds for your program.
- Local bookstores. Local bookstores may be interested in supporting the event, if only by providing bulletin board space for advertising, and may provide a venue for small performances by the children.
- Local community and volunteer groups. You can approach groups such as Lions and local women’s groups for possible funding.
- Local chapters of literacy outreach groups, teachers’ organizations, library organizations, etc. Seek out ways to cooperate with these groups in both funding and publicity, as well as possibly in structuring the programs themselves.
School Library Funding Sources:
Federal and State Departments of Education are potential sources of funding. Much federal money is now filtered through state education departments, so check with your state for possible grants. The following are some possible federal grants to pursue:
- Reading First. These grants are for instructional programs and materials related to reading. Since storytelling is linked to literacy, it might be worth a shot.
- Even Start Family Literacy Programs. If your storytelling programs can involve the whole family, this grant is worth looking at.
- Improving Literacy Through School Libraries. While not specific to storytelling programming, this grant is a way to get up-to-date materials in your library if at least 20% of your students have incomes below the poverty line.
There are also possible private grant sources to be considered, just a few of which are listed below:
Source: Knickelbine, Scott. “The Money Hunt.” School Library Journal, vol. 49, no. 10, pp. 12-14, 2003.
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