It’s a super simple process to apply for the Doris Ann Norris We Love Libraries $500 grant, which is awarded six times per year to public and school libraries. All you have to do is upload a photo showing one or more of your staff, with 3 or more books in your collection by 3 or more different authors that are Sisters in Crime members, and answer a few questions. The online form is short, but it does require a little advanced preparation (the rest of this post contains tips for applying for the most recent Sisters in Crime newsletter) Applications are accepted continuously on a rolling basis. Click here for more information and a link to apply.
Tips for applying:
The handful of questions on the form include contact information for the applicant, basic information about the library, including the address, website, and the library director’s name. A brief description of the library, including the size and the number of constituents served, is also requested. That information should be easy and quick to gather.
There are two questions that will require a little more planning. What does the library intend to spend the $500 on? Are there any special circumstances that would make the application especially urgent or compelling, such as budgetary constraints, special programs that require funding, or a lack of library materials in a subject, format, or for a select audience? Please be sure to make your answers specific and compelling. This is your chance to make your case for why your library should receive the We Love Libraries $500 grant. Winners of the $500 award must use the funds to purchase library materials or for public programming. The grant money can’t be directed to the operating budget.
The application also requires a photo of library staff members with three or more books by three different, current Sisters in Crime member authors. Use SinC’s new Author Search to find the names of current Sisters in Crime member authors, then search your catalog for titles by those authors. The books by Sisters in Crime authors should be featured in the application photo. (Please note that application photos of books by Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Sue Grafton or any other deceased author or by a living non-SinC member author will not meet the application criteria.)
Taking the photo will also require a little planning. The photo of your library will be seen by all the subscribers to WLL News, SinC members who visit the website, and everyone who follows SinC on social media platforms. That is thousands of people! Give them a memorable, favorable impression of your library by submitting a large format, excellent quality photo. For a high-quality photo that will look great on the website and social media sites, it should be at least 1200 by 800 pixels. Please make sure the photo is not blurry and is framed well.
It isn’t required in the grant application to have a theme for your photo, but if you do, it will make your library even more memorable to everyone who views the image. Take the opportunity to show off your library. It’s an added benefit to winning the award. Have fun! Be creative!
If your library hasn’t submitted a WLL application, you’re encouraged to use the link above. If you’ve submitted a WLL application in the past and think you can produce a more successful application now after reading the tips above, please reach out to librarian@sistersincrime.org, so your previous application can be deleted.