Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not listed below, please email ALA's Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org.
Eligibility and Participant Requirements
- What types of libraries are eligible?
- Can more than one branch of my library system apply?
- How many libraries will be selected?
- What are the requirements if my library is selected?
- May I preview the application before completing it?
- May applications be submitted in hard copy?
- How do I apply?
- This is my first time applying for a grant through ALA’s grant management platform. How do I use the system?
- How will I be notified about the status of my application?
- Can I edit my application after it has been submitted?
- When is the application deadline?
- What if I have questions about my application?
- Who should letters of support be addressed to?
- Are letters of support required?
- Who should be the target audience for the LTAI programming we design for our proposal?
- Are LTAI programs required to be scheduled two weeks apart?
- What do you mean by “certifying official”?
- Can the certifying official be the same person as the project director and/or the person submitting the application?
- Should I contact and confirm the local humanities scholar(s) named in my proposal before submitting the application?
- What qualifications must the local humanities scholar possess?
- I’m having trouble finding a local humanities scholar to work with. What can I do?
- What will my library receive, if selected?
- What expenses are allowable for the $1,000 stipend provided by the project?
- Are there any ineligible expenses for the grant funds?
Eligibility and Participant Requirements
Q. What types of libraries are eligible?
A. The applying institution must be a library (public, tribal, school, academic, or special) residing in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
Q. Can more than one branch of my library system apply?
A. While not recommended, more than one branch of a library system may apply for the award. However, it should be noted that the branches will be competing directly with one another for the award.
Q. How many libraries will be selected?
A. Up to 25 libraries will be selected.
Q. What are the requirements if my library is selected?
A. Participating libraries will be required to host one scholar-led discussion program for each of the five books within the LTAI: Women’s Suffrage theme. At each session, a local humanities scholar will give an overview of the author’s background, present the key ideas in the material, and discuss how the book relates to the theme and other relevant matters. Project directors must complete the LTAI model virtual training and all grant reporting requirements.
The Application Process
Q. May I preview the application before completing it?
A. Yes. You may download a PDF preview of the application for reference; the application process is also covered in detail in Section 8 of the project guidelines.
Q. May applications be submitted in hard copy?
A. No. Applications must be submitted online via our grants management system by 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on December 1, 2021. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be reviewed.
Q. How do I apply?
A. Register or sign in to begin your application.
Q. This is my first time applying for a grant through ALA’s grant management platform. How do I use the system?
A. For more information about using our grants management system, please visit our How to Apply webpage.
Q. How will I be notified about the status of my application?
A. You will receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted. All applicants will be notified of their award status via email by January 20, 2022
Q. Can I edit my application after it has been submitted?
A. No. Applications cannot be edited once they are submitted.
Q. When is the application deadline?
A. Applications will be accepted between September 1 and December 1, 2021. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on December 1, 2021. Late or incomplete applications, and applications from ineligible institutions, will not be reviewed. Applications and support materials may not be submitted by mail or e-mail.
Q. What if I have questions about my application?
A. Call the ALA Public Programs Office with any application or grant-related questions: (312) 280-5045 or toll free at (800) 545-2433 x 5045.
You can also send an e-mail to publicprograms@ala.org.
If you would like ALA staff to review a draft of your proposal and provide feedback, please email your draft proposal to us at publicprograms@ala.org by Friday, November 19, 2021.
Inside the Application
Q. Who should letters of support be addressed to?
A. You can address letters of support to the ALA Public Programs Office.
Q. Are letters of support required?
A. Yes, letters of support are required from the local humanities scholar you plan to work with for your project.
Q. Who should be the target audience for the LTAI programming we design for our proposal?
A. The primary audience of the programming that will be conducted by the 25 selected libraries and the LTAI: Women’s Suffrage content will be adults. However, ideas for supplemental programs for a wider range of audiences will be provided within the programming guide. These programs may include ideas suitable for children, families, and teens.
Q. Are LTAI programs required to be scheduled two weeks apart?
A. No. The typical format for a Let’s Talk About It program involves a ten-week series with a discussion group every two weeks. While this timing is recommended, so long as programs occur within the programming period for this grant, March 1- September 30, 2022, programs may be planned to meet your community's needs.
Q. What do you mean by “certifying official”?
A. The certifying official who signs off on your application should be anyone with your library who is able to submit applications for funding on behalf of the institution. This may vary depending on the institution but is typically the library director.
Q. Can the certifying official be the same person as the project director and/or the person submitting the application?
A. Yes. The certifying official can be the same person listed as the project director and/or the person submitting the proposal as long as they are able to submit applications for funding on behalf of their institution.
Recruiting Scholars
Q. Should I contact and confirm the local humanities scholar(s) named in my proposal before submitting the application?
A. Yes. In order to be considered, your application must include the name, title, and vita or biography of at least one local humanities scholar who has confirmed their participation.
Q. What qualifications must the local humanities scholar possess?
A. The local humanities scholar should have a Ph.D. or another advanced degree in Women’s Studies, Western history, or another related humanities subject. In addition, they should be an experienced, engaging speaker who can facilitate discussion with adult audiences on humanities themes.
Q, I’m having trouble finding a local humanities scholar to work with. What can I do?
A. If you are having trouble finding a local humanities scholar to work with, we recommend reaching out to your state humanities council to see if they have someone in your area that they would recommend. You can find your local humanities council here on the National Endowment for the Humanities website.
The Grant Award
Q. What will my library receive, if selected?
A. Selected libraries will receive 10 copies of each of the five titles in the LTAI: Women’s Suffrage selected reading series; a $1,000 programming stipend; training in the LTAI model at a virtual workshop; and access digital LTAI: Women’s Suffrage theme materials.
Q. What expenses are allowable for the $1,000 stipend provided by the project?
A. Allowable expenses include costs for program facilitation, local scholar honoraria, materials, supplies, supplemental programs, and promotion.
Q. Are there any ineligible expenses for the grant funds?
A. Yes. Grant funds may not be used to support indirect costs (e.g. general library administrative expenses); to purchase food and beverage; or as donations to other organizations.