Attend a Keystone 2020 Pre-Application Workshop | Compendium

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Attend a Keystone 2020 Pre-Application Workshop

by | Aug 15, 2019 | Accessibility, Grants and Other Funding Opportunities, Resources of Interest, Rural and Small Libraries

Attend a Keystone 2020 Pre-Application Workshop

Is your library planning a renovation or construction project which will improve service to your users?

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries administers the Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program. This is a competitive grant, reimbursing up to 50% of eligible costs for projects which improve the physical facilities of state-aided public libraries. Grants may be requested up to $750,000, and there is no minimum request amount. Awards will be guided by grant award criteria, the applicant’s needs assessment, and funding priorities. The application is submitted by a municipality which receives library services from the project library.

The next Keystone grant cycle is expected to open in early 2020 when the application will be made available. The tentative timeline has completed applications due before May 2020, with awarded contracts to begin October 1, 2020. Projects would be completed between October 2020-March 2022.

Ed Lupico, Keystone Program Coordinator, will provide an overview of the Keystone grant program and the Application in workshops offered at various locations around the state between September 30 and October 10, including two webinars for those unable to attend an in-person event.

Those who intend to apply in the 2020 round will be required to submit a non-binding Letter of Interest by the end of this year. Details of this requirement will be discussed in the workshop.

At least one representative of your project is strongly encouraged to attend a workshop. This may include Library Staff, Trustees/Board Members, and Municipal Personnel. Please register each attendee individually. You will receive an email prior to the event containing sample documents to print and bring with you to the workshop.

For an idea of the application process, you may view documents from the previous grant round.

Please register as soon as possible for one of the following events:

All in-person workshops are scheduled from 10am-12noon at the public library locations listed below: 

  • September 30: Norwin Public Library, 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin (Southwest PA)
  • October 1: Franklin Public Library, 421 12th St., Franklin (Northwest PA)
  • October 2: Centre County Library, 200 North Allegheny St., Bellefonte (North Central PA)
  • October 3: North Pocono Public Library, 1315 Church St. Moscow (Northeast PA)
  • October 4: Ridley Township Public Library, 100 Macdade Blvd, Folsom (Southeast PA)
  • October 9: East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg (South Central PA)
  • October 8: AM Webinar, 10:00am-11:30am
  • October 10: PM Webinar, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Please register at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQRWHBL

Questions about the Workshop or the Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities program may be directed to RA-Keystone@pa.gov .