Recent Grants 

FY2008 Special Families Need Special Libraries - $13,517.00 GRANT

The Des Plaines Public Library has been awarded a $13,517.00 grant by the Illinois State Library for a project entitled "Special Families Need Special Libraries." grant awarded to the library to offer programs increasing awareness of autism. The grant also allows the library to add materials, including books, magazines and DVDs of interest to families affected by autism; to create welcoming physical spaces within the library that address the needs of the autistic; and to create services to support the families of individuals with autism.

Library staff will also undergo training to better identify and serve the needs of the growing autistic community. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide free resources and services to children with autism and their families" says Head of Youth Services Veronica Schwartz. "This grant enables the Des Plaines Public Library to offer one of the most extensive collections of autism resources and programs in the area".

FY2007 Clickable Content Grant - $16,710.00 GRANT

The Des Plaines Public Library has been awarded a $16,710.00 grant by the Illinois State Library for a project entitled "Clickable Content." This project will develop three new web-based services to make staff expertise available 24 hours a day, enabling patrons to make more informed remote use of the catalog and library databases. 1) Interactive tutorials for the catalog and two reference databases. 2) One-click "dynamic URLS" (pre-programmed catalog searches on popular topics). 3) An online database containing hundreds of fiction and audio book reviews. These services will be available via links on our website and online catalog. Patrons will be able to access these information and entertainment guilds at home, at work and at school.

FY2006 Building Community through Creative Conversations - $37,000 GRANT

The Des Plaines Public Library has been awarded a $37,174 grant by the Illinois State Library for a project entitled "Building Community through Creative Conversations."Through the grant, staff from the library and its partner organizations will receive special training in how to lead productive public forums about issues of concern to local residents. The project partners include Bethesda Worship Center, Des Plaines Healthy Community Partnership, Des Plaines History Center, Des Plaines Park District, Genesis Center for Health and Empowerment, and Maine East and Maine West High Schools.

On Going-Illinois State Library-Project Next Generation - Various Funding

Project Next Generation is a mentoring program for middle school students. The program motivates students to reach new levels of achievement and self-esteem by teaching them how to use the latest computer technology such as digital cameras, wireless products, and various software packages.

FY2004 LSTA Slammin' Jammin' Poetry - $31,122

Middle school students and high school students met in separate weekly workshops where they read, wrote, and performed poetry. Professional poets conducted the workshops. As a final project, each of the two groups presented a public poetry performance. Students also submitted poems that were published in a middle school poetry book and a high school poetry book.

FY2004 LSTA Seeing Through Other's Eyes - $4,895

The library presented a special series of programs during March for "Save Your Vision" month. The programs included a guide dog demonstration, a program about blind etiquette, a guest author, and a vision fair featuring assistive technology for the visually impaired. Staff members were trained to use the assistive computer software and assistive devices. The library acquired a new collection of descriptive videos and produced an AccessAbility brochure, which explains the assistive technologies available at the library.

FY2003 LSTA Sharing Our Cultures - $2,900

In May 2003 the library celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with programs focused on a variety of Asian cultures. Programs included Indian and Korean dance performances, a lecture on Tibetan art, and a Japanese tea ceremony.

FY2003 LSTA An Introduction to Conversational Spanish for Librarians - $4,898

The library serves a significant Spanish speaking population. Library staff took basic Spanish language classes, learning and practicing Spanish words and phrases related to library service.

FY2003 LSTA The New Literacy: Basic computer Instruction for Adults - $42,684

The library purchased laptops, a projector, and other portable equipment for a wireless classroom. The goal was to teach adult patrons the basic skills necessary to access the library catalog and online databases. During the grant period, instructors taught classes in English, Polish, and Spanish, and 894 students participated. The staff continues to teach these classes in English and Spanish using the lesson plans and the wireless equipment.