CLIR Digitizing Hidden Collections Grant Survey and Webinar

CARLI needs your help in assessing the level of interest in a consortial application for the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) grant supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, “Digitizing Hidden Collections.” This grant seeks to fund the digitization of “…rare and unique content in collecting institutions."

In order to determine whether CARLI should apply for this grant on behalf of our member libraries, we are interested in whether we can assemble a cohesive collection from our member libraries—most likely based on a focus area of Illinois’ history—that is currently not discoverable and of significance to the larger research community. The CLIR grant application information is available from the CLIR web site. CLIR staff will also be holding a webinar on February 5 to introduce applicants interested in the Digitizing Hidden Special Collections and Archives program to the scope and requirements for the program and the components of the application. Registration is required. 

If your institution is  interested in possible participation, please complete the online survey, “Initial Assessment of CARLI Members' Holdings” (takes about 15 minutes per included collection) by February 15, 2019. A copy of the survey questions is available to help you with preparation.

Following the survey, CARLI will evaluate the survey results with an eye to deciding whether we should proceed, and, if so, will initiate a conversation with the CARLI members involved. If CARLI plans to proceed, a call will be issued for a volunteer group of members to assist with drafting and compiling the necessary application information. Every CARLI member that completes the survey will receive a response indicating whether CARLI will proceed and whether the grant will include their library’s collections.

If awarded, the project must begin between January 1 and June 1, 2020. Collaborative projects can last up to 36 months and have a maximum request limit of $500,000. The application is due April 3, 2019.