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Disaster Relief InformationFor information about this grant, please contact our Co-Chairs, Michell McNeill and Madelyn Hughes at drgchair@ncslma.org. |
What we're doing and why
When Hurricane Helene hit, many communities in Western North Carolina were devastated by damage. While most of our schools avoided damage, students homes did not. This grant will provide replacements for books that students had checked out and then were damaged due to storm related issues. NCSLMA immediately started taking donations and the American Library Association reached out and are matching $5000. NCSLMA began the fund with $1000. We are now almost to $10,000 with the organizational donations and donations from people around the country. Every penny will go towards school libraries to replace books that were damaged during Hurricane Helene. Someone put it perfectly, that we are helping eliminate library debt, much like some people eliminate lunch debt. We don't want students to have to worry about paying for damaged library books when they have lost so much.
Donate Here
We are still taking donations and will continue to take donations and give them all out until we stop receiving grant applications. Please click here to donate to this worthy cause.
Apply for a grant hereIf you have students who lost library books during Hurricane Helene, please fill out this short Google Form application and we will be in touch as soon as we can. This is a rolling application and will continue until funds are depleted. Please see the Google Form for more instructions and guidelines. The questions that will be in the form are below so you can start planning. 1. School and Library Information
2. Statement of Need Please describe the impact of Hurricane Helene on your school library collection. Include details on the total number of books lost or damaged, how this has affected your library’s collection, and how this has impacted students' access to resources. Please remember that the primary focus of the grant is to reduce student financial hardship for damage/loss of books checked out during this time frame. 3. Itemized Funding Request
4. Impact on Students and School Community We have been contacted by other library organizations around the country that want to help. Please include any stories about your and/or your students experiences that we can share with them. Please limit this to no more than 1000 words. Please maintain student data privacy and refrain from sharing personally identifiable information about your students. 5. Supporting Documentation Please attach any relevant documentation that supports your request. This could include:
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FAQ
Q - What is the maximum we can ask for?
A - We don't have a maximum, but we do have limited funds to distribute. We are trying to help as many schools as possible, so we will have to see how many applications we receive.
Q - What will this grant cover?
A - The scope of this grant is to replace books that students had checked out when Hurricane Helene hit and then the books were damaged or lost.
Q - Where can I get quotes from for the replacement books?
A - It doesn't matter. We will send you a check and you can purchase from whomever you want.
Q - When will I receive the money?
A - If your grant is awarded, you will receive the check in 4-6 weeks.
Q - What is the deadline to apply?
A - This is a rolling grant, but funds are limited. We will stop distributing funds when we run out.
Q - When is the deadline to purchase books if I win a grant?
A - We require follow up to be completed and sent to us no later than October 15, 2025.
Q - Do I need to buy the same title that was lost or can I buy a different title?
A - No. Use your discretion on replacement titles.
ABOUT US NCSLMA is a professional organization dedicated to supporting, promoting, and empowering school librarians across the state as they transform their school communities. | JOIN US Membership is $50 per year and comes with numerous benefits and professional development opportunities. | CONTACT US Mailing address: | CONNECT WITH US We provide various ways to connect with librarians across the state. |