IMLS Awards Grant Funds for Native American Library Services

Nineteen tribes were awarded funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for Native American Library Services grants. Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Native American Library Services Enhancement Grant projects may enhance existing library services or implement new library services, particularly as they relate to the goals in the updated Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. §9141): Makah Tribal Council - Neah Bay, WA Award Amount: $129,436 On behalf of the Makah Nation, the Makah Cultural and Research Center (MCRC) will undertake a multifaceted project that will include the research and development of lectures, information kits, a booklet, a traveling photo exhibit, and instructional videos documenting the important annual cultural celebration called Makah Days. It will also include a lecture series on Makah genealogy to assist tribal members in understanding their personal and family history and how they fit into the fabric of the tribe. The ongoing community need for enhanced technology skills will be addressed with a series of computer classes in partnership with the local high school that will be free to community members. Honors students will provide one-on-one mentoring alongside the instructor. Collections policy and preservation plans will also be developed for the ever-expanding manuscripts collection in the MCRC. Suquamish Tribal Council - Suquamish, WA Award Amount: $147,493 The Suquamish Tribe will provide programs, instruction, and resources that will foster positive relationships between the generations—youth and elders, students and teachers, and the community at large. The “Connections: Relationships, Resources & Reading Project” will bring together a team from the Suquamish Tribal Library, Chief Kitsap Academy, Tribal Education Department, Suquamish Museum, Elders Council, and Youth Council as well as the North Kitsap School District, to engage students with culturally relevant learning styles and rigorous academic curricula. An important component of the project will pair students with elders in a reciprocal mentoring program in which elders will share their cultural knowledge with students who will digitally record their stories and, in turn, share their technological expertise with the elders. The new resources developed with this grant will provide fresh and accurate materials for the new “Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State” statewide curriculum. Native American Library Services Basic Grants The Native American Library Services Basic Grant is noncompetitive and distributed in equal amounts among eligible applicants. Basic Grants are available to support existing library operations and to maintain core library services. The Education/Assessment Option is supplemental to the Basic Grants. It is also noncompetitive and must be requested. The purpose of the Education/Assessment Option is to provide funding for library staff to attend continuing education courses and training workshops on- or off-site, for library staff to attend or give presentations at conferences related to library services, and to hire a consultant for an on-site professional library assessment. Quinault Indian Tribe - Taholah, WA Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Stillaguamish Tribe of Washington - Arlington, WA Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Kalispel Tribe of Indians - Usk, WA Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Port Gamble Band of S'Klallam Indians - Kingston, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe - Tokeland, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Makah Tribal Council - Neah Bay, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Spokane Tribe of Indians - Wellpinit, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Upper Skagit Indian Tribe - Sedro Woolley, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe - Sequim, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Lummi Indian Business Council - Bellingham, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Samish Indian Nation - Anacortes, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Lower Elwha Tribal Community Council - Port Angeles, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Suquamish Tribal Council - Suquamish, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Squaxin Island Tribe - Shelton, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $6,000 Grant: Basic Grants Nisqually Indian Tribe - Olympia, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Yakama Tribal Council - Toppenish, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option Nooksack Indian Tribe - Deming, WA Year: 2013 Amount: $7,000 Grant: Basic Grants with Education/Assessment Option