Application Worksheet

Answer all parts of these questions.

1.Needs Assessment
What audiences are you targeting with this project and why?
What community need or opportunity does your project address?
How do you know this is a need?
How does this project relate to your library’s mission or strategic plans?

2.Project Outcomes
What specific change(s) do you intend to achieve with this project?
Briefly explain why you have selected this outcome, tying it to the Needs Assessment
provided.

3.Project Activities
What will you do, and how will you do it? Give specific information about the types of
activities, number of programs, or resources you'll make available.
What steps has your library taken to prepare for this project?
Why did you choose this approach for your project? Did you consider any alternative
approaches?
List at least one product or activity that will help you meet the outcome. All products and
activities that are a part of your project should be linked to an outcome.

4.Project Evaluation
Describe what tool(s) or method(s) you will use to evaluate each product or activity listed.
Examples include pre-and post-assessments, surveys, focus groups, interviews, and
observations.

5.Project Personnel
Provide a list of the names of project personnel, the organization they represent and their
title, and a description of their duties for this project.
Identify the project director, and explain why he or she is appropriate for this project
If special skills or expertise are necessary for project personnel, briefly list their qualifications.
Provide a brief resume for any consultant for whom you are requesting LSTA funds.

6.Partners
If you are partnering with other organizations for this project, describe each partner’s role.
Optional: Include a letter of support from each institutional partner.

7.Timeline/Schedule of Activities
Provide a timeline that includes planning, implementation, and evaluation, and indicates when
funds will be spent. Remember, funds are not available before May 8, 2021, and must be spent
by September 3, 2022.

8.Sustainability
Will you continue this project once the grant period has ended? If so, how will you sustain it?

9. Project Summary
Briefly describe the project, by completing the following: The goal of this project is ____. Funds
will be used to ___________. Community members will benefit because_________________.

10.Budget Justification Provide a detailed explanation and justification of the proposed LSTA
expenditures. Quotes, estimates, mileage, and other methods of calculating budget items
should be detailed.
11.Budget Form
a. Complete the budget form for the project described in this application. Provide adequate
detail in the description fields to explain the allocations.
b. Local in-kind services or funds are required for 2021grants.

Budget Category Grant $ Local $ Description

Salaries, Wages, Benefits
Consultant Fees
Travel
Supplies/Materials
Equipment
Services
TOTAL

Budget Notes
Categories Notes
Salaries, Wages, Includes all salaries, wages, and fringe benefits paid to temporary
Benefits project staff directly contributing to the project.
Consultant Fees All expenses related to acquiring the services of a consultant for a
specific activity within the project can be included in this category. Costs
may include fees, travel, accommodation, and support services hired
directly by the consultant
Travel Travel costs must be related to the project activities and must be
incurred by the staff working on the project. The costs include airfare,
ground transportation, accommodation, meals, etc.
Supplies/Materials Include costs for supplies and materials including computing devices (if
the acquisition cost per unit is less than $5,000) purchased specifically
for the project.
Equipment Means tangible personal property (including information technology
systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per‐unit
acquisition cost which equals or exceeds $5,000
Services List the costs of project activities to be undertaken by a third‐party
contractor or vendor. Includes printing, subscriptions, maintenance, etc.
Subscriptions must end by September 30, 2022.
Indirect Costs An Indirect Cost is an organization's incurred cost that cannot be readily
isolated or identified with just one project or activity. These types of
costs are often referred to as "overhead costs." Typical examples are
charges for utilities, general insurance, use of office space and
equipment that you own, local telephone service, and the salaries of the
management and administrative personnel of the organization. There
are four options for indirect costs:1.Count indirect costs as part of your
 Local Match.2.Use a current indirect cost rate that has been negotiated
with a federal agency. You must email a copy of the current negotiated
agreement to the Grants Consultant.3.Use a rate of 10% of total direct
costs if you have never had a federally negotiated indirect cost rate.4.Do
not include any indirect costs.

12.Risk Assessment

How many years of experience does the project manager have specifically managing grants?

When was the library’s most recent reorganization?

How many years has the project manager been employed in the applying library’s system?

Does your accounting system identify and track expenditure and receipt of program funds
separately for each grant award?
 Frequently Asked Questions
https://azlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/2020_lsta_guidelines.pdf

How much money can my library ask for?

General LSTA grants have no set minimums or maximums. The typical award ranges between
$10,000 and $50,000.

Can LSTA funds be used to pay for salaries?

Independent contractors may be paid with LSTA funds, but using LSTA funds to pay salaries,
wages, and/or benefits for existing full-time employees is not allowable.

Can LSTA funds be used to pay for travel?

Travel and per diem expenses may be included only for project personnel at the rate authorized
by the State. The most recent authorized rates are available on https://gao.az.gov/travel/travel-
information.

What is the difference between Equipment and Supplies/Materials?

Only items costing more than $5,000 should be budgeted as equipment; all other items should
be listed as supplies.

Is partnering with other organizations required?

Libraries are encouraged but not required to partner with other organizations when applying
for LSTA funds. All partners must benefit from the project, and those benefits should be clear in
the application. The library must serve as the applicant, and assume fiscal responsibility, if the
grant is awarded. Be sure that all potential partners have been contacted before including them
in the grant proposal. Include a letter of support from each partner.

My library’s project was funded by LSTA last year. Can we apply for
funds to continue the project?
LSTA funds are primarily targeted for new projects that serve as models or pilots. Libraries may
apply for subsequent phases of a project that is underway. Libraries may also apply for funding
of an ongoing project if it reaches new audiences, incorporates new methodologies or
significantly expands the reach of the project, throughout the project, not just as an add-on at
the end.

What about marketing our project?

You are strongly encouraged to market your LSTA project. LSTA funds for project promotion
can be included in your budget, but those funds can only be used to market the grant project.
LSTA funds cannot be used to market general library services or unrelated projects. If you are
unsure about whether the marketing you are planning to include in your project budget
promotes your project or general library services, please contact a consultant.