Finding Money When There Isn’t Any Part 1

AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:

• Conduct a needs assessment using relevant documents and data.
• Prioritize library needs based on feasibility, impact, and alignment.
• Write a clear, compelling need statement to support a funding request.
• Identify internal and external funding sources that align with your specific library needs.
• Build and strengthen relationships with partners who can help support your initiatives.
• Tailor funding requests to potential funders.

THIS COURSE CONSISTS OF 3 ON-DEMAND MODULES:

Module 1: From great idea to impactful need

In this module, you’ll learn how to conduct a need assessment and why it strengthens your funding request. You’ll explore different types of data to tap into and quick assessments that inform the impact of your ideas. Lastly, you’ll wrap up the module by gathering and drafting a shortlist of ideas that are likely to make the most impact on your school community.

Module 2: From impactful need to a fundable request

In this module, you’ll learn techniques to prioritize needs based on impact, starting with your own list of ideas generated in module 1. You’ll determine the why, who and what of your proposal, and write a concise need statement that demonstrates impact. By the end, you’ll have a statement that can be used with school principals, the PTA, grant funders and more!

Module 3: From fundable request to funding partners

In this final module, you’ll learn about internal and external sources of funding that are ready to be tapped into. You'll learn about the school funding ecosystem, plus the ins and outs of asking for funding at the right time of year. You’ll discover strategies for finding external funding partners, tailoring your message to the funders’ needs, and gain insight into your district’s policies around external support. Lastly, you’ll close the loop to show appreciation for and sustain relationships with funders.

COURSE ADVISOR

Amanda Chacon, MLS, Course Operations Manager, Library Journal/School Library Journal

Amanda Chacon is a NISE STEM-certified Future Ready Librarian® and a LEGO Education Teacher Ambassador, Canva Teacher Ambassador, and Amazon Future Engineer Teacher Ambassador Mentor. She was selected as the School Library Journal 2024 Librarian of the Year, Sam Houston State Distinguished Educator of the Year, and a 2024 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. Amanda believes the library is a place where all students are welcome to explore their interests and creativity. Her professional interests include the intersection of STEAM and literacy, as well as community engagement and initiatives, particularly in Title I schools. She has been in education for 22 years and a librarian for 15 years.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Kendra Allen, Director of Library Media Services, Wake County Public School System 

Kendra Allen is the library director for the Wake County Public School System (NC), a role she has held since 2019. Prior to this position, she served as the lead librarian for secondary libraries as well as a middle school librarian. Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication (2004) and a master’s degree in library science with school library certification and Beta Phi Mu honors (2008) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also holds a Media Supervisor certificate from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Kristina Holzweiss, School Librarian

Kristina A. Holzweiss is a school librarian on Long Island, NY and the 2015 School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year. She is the creator of the Demco School Library Planner and a national presenter focused on advocacy, instructional leadership, equity, accessibility, and creative funding. She founded the first school library makerspace on Long Island by securing more than $125,000 in grants and strategic funding. As an adjunct professor, she teaches educators how to leverage AI and practical systems to strengthen their programs. Kristina believes libraries are the heart of a school and is committed to helping librarians document their impact and lead with clarity and confidence.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

This course is for K-12 school librarians and educators.

THIS WILL BE A SELF-PACED, ASYNCHRONOUS COURSE.

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT

This course includes 3 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You'll earn 12 hours of PD credit and a School Library Journal certificate of completion.

ON-DEMAND ACCESS

You'll have access to all course materials for six months.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Complete the course and earn 12 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that is emailed to you.

If you complete both courses in the Finding Money for Your School Library series, you will earn your School Library Funding certification from School Library Journal.

ACCESSIBILITY

All video recordings feature auto captioning. Please email course-support@libraryjournal.com upon registration if you require any special accommodations and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.

SUPPORT

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com .