We're all aware that there's stimulus money out there. Knowing how to get that money? Well, that's a whole different kettle of fish. Luckily, there are folks out there trying to make it easier for libraries to get their hands in the pot. American Libraries has a recent article, "Stimulate Your Library: How Libraries Can Benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act," that may help you catch some of that ARRA money before it all gets away. From the article:

"Specific provisions libraries can benefit from in the stimulus include $13 billion for Title I, $650 million for Enhancing Education Through Technology, $7.2 billion for Broadband, $53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, an additional $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program, an additional $130 million for the Rural Community Facilities Program, and $4.24 billion and $1.33 billion for Military Libraries to try to access. ALA has posted information on how these provisions can benefit libraries.

"Yet while these opportunities are available to libraries, they won’t be handed to them. That is why it is critical to reach out to state and local leaders and remind them that at a time when consumer confidence is low, libraries are the ideal place to invest federal dollars."

Check it out if you're interested in pulling in some grant money, and while you're at it, don't forget to look at the ALA web site for Economic Stimulus Funding, which also has some helpful information.