I’ve finally been able to post a few things because for the first time in about three weeks, I’m not spending my nights working on grants. In Illinois, 2006 LSTA grant submissions were due Friday, June 17, so it’s all over but the waiting now. Which is a killer, because I’m very excited about both of the grants MLS is involved in.

1. MLS submitted a grant to create an online, statewide book discussion group for audio ebooks called “One State, One Listen” by adding simultaneous use titles from netLibrary/Recorded Books and OverDrive to ListenIllinois. Of course, I think it would be totally cool, but we’ll see what the grant reviewers think.
   
2. MLS is also mentioned as a supporting agency in the big gaming grant I mentioned last month. Aaron submitted the grant under the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, and we ended up with 23 participating libraries out of 35 applicants. Response was incredible, and I’m truly sorry we couldn’t take every one of them. Everyone that read the grant loved it, and we have some mighty big plans if we get it. This will truly be something never before seen in the library world.

So now we wait until September to hear back. I don’t want to say much more until then, so light a candle for us!

Our competition

Oh, and thanks to Su Bochenski for driving all the way to Springfield to make sure they were there on Friday before the deadline!