The Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS) is excited to announce that it has been granted two American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants.

• Library Space and Safety Improvement Grant: $200,000
  This grant was a collaboration between NFLS, the Outagamie Waupaca Library System, the Manitowoc-Calumet Library System, and the Winnefox Library System. Each member library has been awarded $3,000 to purchase items such as modular shelving and furniture that will provide library spaces more flexibility for social distancing and programming during the continuing pandemic. The libraries can also purchase meeting room enhancements for virtual and hybrid meetings, video equipment for virtual programming, and technology-enhanced workstations for patrons.
• Tribal Library Outreach Program for Community Partnerships: $190,569
  This grant, shared between the four tribal public libraries within NFLS and Northern Waters Library Service, will attempt to reduce barriers for tribal members needing assistance in the areas of workforce development, education, healthcare, and social services. The grant will provide the participating tribal libraries with a master class in community partnerships and with individualized support to assess community needs and develop community relationships. The goals include: defining the library community and assessing community strengths, opportunities, and aspirations; growing new and existing relationships to address community needs; and leveraging local knowledge and partnerships to support and market the community-focused library programs funded by the grant.

​Learn about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for Wisconsin Libraries here.

Algoma Public Library was recently announced as a winner of the “East Asia in Wisconsin Library Program” grant competition by the Center for East Asian Studies at UW-Madison. "Grants were awarded to public libraries throughout Wisconsin, enriching their collections with new titles that will enable patrons to deepen their understanding of East Asia (which includes China, Japan, and Korea)."

The library purchased books, DVDs, and programming materials that will enable people to deepen their understanding of East Asia. They were able to purchase over 30 new titles that include materials for all ages. These materials include DVDs, children's fiction books, children's picture books, children's nonfiction, young adult graphic novels, and adult fiction and nonfiction titles. 

With this grant, the library will also be able to host three programs.

• Two of these programs will be kits available for patrons to pick up and do at home.
  • One will be a Chinese New Year Good Fortune Kit for children and will include one lantern craft, a Chinese New Year Activity Book with Stickers, and a 12 Days of Lunar New Year book.
  • The other kit will be a DIY Silk Scarf kit for adults.
• The library will also be playing Bingo in the library to bring in the Chinese Year and will have Chinese New Year prizes for their winners.

Here are the headlines from the January 7, 2022 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Volunteer for the WAPL Annual Conference
• Register for Library Legislative Day by January 14
• 2021 Public Library Staff and Diversity Survey Due Jan. 14
• Programming Resources:
  • CSLP Newsletter: December 2021
  • Free Comic Day Library Program Enrollment
  • National Library Week 2022: Connect with Your Library
• Employment Opportunity: Director, Door County Library
• Grant Opportunities
  • Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant
  • Creative Communities Project Grants
  • Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant Program Competition
• Training Videos Demonstrate Inclusivity

Here are the headlines from the December 17, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Holiday Break
• Registration Open for Library Legislative Day 2022
• CSLP Summer Symposium Recordings
• Exciting Updates from Beanstack
• One-on-One Job Search Assistance & Career Guidance from Job Center of Wisconsin
• Applications Now Being Accepted for NEA Big Read
• PLA 2022 Conference Updates
• Learning Gaps and Local Partnerships Webinar

Here are the headlines from the December 3, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• WLA Library Legislative Day 2022
• National Library Week is April 3-9, 2022
• Apply Now: Inclusive Financial Literacy Programming Kit
• Grant Opportunity for Public and School Libraries
• Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference: January 26-27, 2022

Here are the headlines from the November 19, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Employment Opportunities
  • Lena Public Library Searches for Library Director
  • Peshtigo Public Library Seeks Branch Librarian
• CCBC Services and Collections User Survey
• Grants & Scholarships
  • PLA 2022 Conference Scholarships
  • Nita M. Lowery 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) Gant Competition
• Girls Who Code Offers Free & Flexible Computer Science Opportunities
• Tips and Tricks from an Accidental Advocate

Here are the headlines from the November 12, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• New Digital Data Tool for Libraries: Benchmark
• BadgerLink Advisory Group: Call for Applicants
• Free Bookmarks & Posters from BadgerLink
• American Rescue Plan Humanities Grants for Libraries
• Submit a PLA Webinar Proposal
• Poster Contest for WI 5th Graders: Bring Our Missing Children Home

Here are the headlines from the November 5, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• ALA Seeks Applicants for National Policy Corps
• The Children's Book Award Committee Wants YOU!
• Apply for Transformation for Libraries: The Futures School
• NEA Big Read Grants: Apply by January 26
• Wisconsin Author Rochelle Melander Releases New Book
• CSLP Newsletter, Program Manual & Product Catalog

Here are the headlines from the October 22, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• New 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Hotline & 10-Digit Dialing Requirement
• BadgerLink Bulletin Updates
• Grant Opportunities:
  • 2022 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries
  • Carnegie-Whitney Grant
• CSLP Summer Symposium: December 2, 2021

Here are the headlines from the October 8, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• DPI Accepting Grant Applications for $3 Million in ARPA Library Pandemic Relief Funding
• Wisconsin Humanities Recovery Grants Deadline October 15
• ARSL In-Person Conference Registration Closes October 13
• PLA 2022 Conference Registration Now Open
• WLA Annual Conference Updates
• Webinars in October (NEWI)
• Possibilities of Polka Endless in 2022
• CSLP Newsletter: September 2021

Here are the headlines from the October 1, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• WLA News Fall 2021 Edition
• Let’s Talk About It: Women’s Suffrage Humanities Discussion Project
• Creating a Healthy Culture with Conduct, Communication, and Conflict Resolution
• Registration Opens Soon for LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience

Here are the headlines from the September 17, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Kewaunee Public Library Hiring Student Library Aide
• Libraries and Veterans Microgrants
• WHRAB Professional Development Scholarships
• Registration is open for WLA 2021

The Libraries and Veterans microgrants provide funding to libraries for eligible projects that support library services and programming for veterans and military-affiliated patrons. Microgrants are intended to encourage libraries to engage with veterans and other military-affiliated patrons such as service members, military family members, and family members of veterans. Multiple grant applications are eligible per library system.
​
Funding for these microgrants has been provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis while funds remain available.

Award Amount: $500 to $3000
Timeline:

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from October 2021 to February 2022 while funds remain available.
• To be eligible for initial review, submit applications by October 1, 2021.
• No applications postmarked after February 1, 2022 will be accepted.
• Spending must be completed and all final reports will be due no later than April 15, 2022.

The NFLS News is a bi-monthly newsletter highlighting all the great things the member libraries of the Nicolet Federated Library System are doing throughout our communities. 

​Read the September 2021 NFLS News for the latest news from a few of our member libraries. Topics include:

• WLA Member Spotlight on Emily Rogers, Brown County Library
• Oneida Community Library Receives Two Grants
• Gillett Schools: A Century of Learning
• Oconto Falls Community Library at the Fair
• UntitledTown Literary Arts Programming Makes Comeback