Each year, the RRLC seeks proposals from members for technology-related projects. Funding for this grant is available from the NYS Regional Bibliographic Data Bases and Resource Sharing Program.
RRLC Technology Grant award winners will be announced in March 2021.
Projects should benefit the entire RRLC region, not just one library, and should encourage collaboration among libraries, especially libraries of different types. Many different types of projects are fundable, including:
- Adding content to NY Heritage, New York State Historical Newspapers, and Empire ADC. Preference will be given to digitization projects that add content to these statewide projects. Digitization projects that do not contribute to these sites must be freely made available online.
- Creation of Discovery tools, especially for difficult to locate resources
- Equipment needed for improving sharing of library materials within the RRLC region.
- Exploration of new program or service models that use information technology to improve access to information.
NOTE: Those projects that benefit just one library and its patrons are not eligible for funding. The one exception is an innovative pilot project that if successful is scalable and can be adopted by other libraries.
Examples of previously funded projects include:
● Digitization of materials and placement on NY Heritage or NYS Historic Newspapers
● Development of software that assists libraries in collection development and gift selection
● Technology-related training programs for library staff open to all
● Technology projects that encourage collaboration by sharing expertise across different types of libraries
To apply, please view the RPF and the Application here:
RFP and GUIDELINES
RRLC 2021 TECHNOLOGY GRANT APPLICATION
Project proposal must be emailed in Word or PDF format to rrlc@rrlc.org so that it is received by 11:59PM on February 1, 2021.
First time applicants MUST contact RRLC for a grant consultation before applying. We recommend a grant consultation for all applicants.
Contact Ryan Hughes at rhughes@rrlc.org or 585.223.7570 ext. 104 with any questions or to schedule a consultation.
2019-2020 RRLC Technology Grant Award Winners
The Rochester Regional Library Council is pleased to announce the winners of the 2019-2020 Technology Grants:
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES School Library System – Expanding Regional Makerspace Lending Library – $6,000
BOCES 2 continues to develop a Makerspace lending library for our region’s school and public libraries; this grant will allows them to replenish and improve existing kits and add new items and expand the number of public libraries they lend kits to.
Monroe County Library System – MCLS Mobile Makerspace – $3,732
The collection of technologies will be shared among the 32 member libraries of the Monroe County Library System (MCLS) to support library staff, library programs, and events.
Monroe County Library System – Hilton Record Digitization of Missing Issues – $6,467
MCLS will digitize paper issues of the Hilton Record that are not on microfilm.
Roberts Wesleyan College, Golisano Library – Digitization of the Roberts Wesleyan College Chesbronian Collection – $3,970
The B. Thomas Golisano Library College Archives will make a portion of the College’s historic yearbook collection accessible publicly online while ensuring archival preservation.
University of Rochester, River Campus Libraries – Assistive Technology Collection – $4,116
The River Campus Libraries will provide a rich resource for RRLC members to educate themselves and their communities on assistive technology and its role in inclusive digital literacy.