While any organization is welcome to partner with a library in presenting a program, the library must be an active partner in the planned program and application must be signed by the library director. Libraries who have received funding may apply again, but applications should demonstrate growth beyond the previous level of programming. This does not necessarily mean more programs, but programs that illustrate the library s increased capacity to present challenging programs that significantly enhance the cultural life of the community. Themes are intended to focus your programs on topics, issues, and ideas that are important to your community. Choosing a theme helps you identify local issues, as well as look for authors and artists whose work addresses those issues.
Partners can provide both program and presenter ideas, and help the library tap into new audiences.
The roster is a list of approximately 60 authors, suggested as excellent examples for live library programming. These authors all reflect the artistic and literary merit required by the project guidelines. Their works address project themes and provide a way to develop events and program series that focus on issues of interest and concern to contemporary communities. The strength of your application includes both the library s preparedness and the presenters commitment to the programs. Your ability to secure appearances by many authors and artists will be based on giving them sufficient advance notice and being flexible in the dates you would like them to appear.