The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation seeks to serve as a catalyst in maximizing the skills and creativity of K-12 educators and in cultivating pioneering approaches to teaching that result in dynamic student learning. To that end, the foundation has announced a call for applications for its 2012-13 Academic Enrichment grants, Teacher Development grants, and Student Teaching scholarships.

The Academic Enrichment grants program provides funding for in-class and extracurricular programs that nurture the intellectual, artistic, and creative abilities of pre-2 grade students from low-income households. The foundation considers proposals for projects that aim to deepen students’ knowledge and provide opportunities to expand their awareness of the world around them. Applications will be considered from educators who are employed by schools or nonprofit organizations (e.g., community centers, museums, etc.); have the background and experience to complete the project successfully; have direct and regular contact with students in grades pre-K to 12; work with students from low-income households; and are willing to work in collaboration with the foundation. A project may have one to many participants involved in its planning and implementation. However, the foundation does require that each application be submitted in the name of one individual even if there are two or more participants involved in a single project. Grants will be awarded to individuals in amounts of up to $10,000 per year, for a maximum of three years.

Teacher Development Grants provide funding to individuals or small teams of teachers in the formation and implementation of groundbreaking collaborative K-12 classroom instruction. The grants provide opportunities for teachers to integrate fresh strategies that encourage critical inquiry and to observe their effects on students. Teachers have the opportunity to reflect and write about their projects, as well as to share their results with other teachers. Applications will be considered from individuals who are licensed K-12 teachers employed in public or private schools, have the background and experience to complete the project successfully, and are willing to work in collaboration with the foundation. A project may have one to many participants involved in its planning and implementation. However, the foundation does require that each application be submitted in the name of one individual even if there are two or more participants involved in a single project. Grants will be awarded to individuals in amounts of up to $10,000 per year, for a maximum of three years.

Student Teaching Scholarships in the amount of $6,000 provide financial and one-on-one mentoring by foundation members to student teachers in their final year of teacher education programs at New Mexico State University; the University of California, Santa Cruz; the University of Texas at Austin; and West Virginia University.

Complete grant and scholarship program guidelines, summaries of funded projects, and application materials are available at the McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation.

The work most likely to be funded is that which serves both a native community and the field of linguistics. Work that has immediate applicability to one group and more distant application to the field also will be considered. Publishing subventions are a low priority but will be considered. Proposals can originate in any country. The language involved must be in danger of disappearing within a generation or two. Endangerment is a continuum, and the language’s location on the continuum is one factor in ELF’s funding decisions.

Grants in this round are expected to be less than $4,000 and to average about $2,000. Eligible expenses include consultant fees, tapes, films, travel, etc. Grants are normally for a one-year period, though extensions may be requested.

Researchers and language activists from any country are eligible to apply. Awards can be made to institutions, but no administrative (overhead, indirect) costs will be covered. A researcher can be the primary researcher on only one proposal.

Visit the ELF Web site for complete program guidelines and application requirements.

The Eisner Foundation, which works to provide opportunity for children and the aging in Los Angeles County, is accepting nominations and applications for the $100,000 Eisner Prize for Intergenerational Excellence.

Launched in 2011, the annual prize is designed to recognize excellence by an individual or a nonprofit organization in uniting multiple generations, especially seniors and youth, to bring about positive and lasting changes in their community.

The cash prize is intended to spur innovation in this field and to reward those who have committed to excellence in uniting multiple generations for the betterment of the country. The prize is an attempt to identify this work, to reward it, and to see long-term if it can be replicated.

The prize is a national award, open to anyone or any group working in the United States.

Nonprofit organizations may nominate themselves. Individuals interested in pursuing the prize must be nominated by another person or organization.

For complete prize program guidelines, the nomination form, and information on the 2011 prize winner and finalists, visit the Eisner Foundation Web site.

The foundation is accepting applications for the following grant programs:

The Adult Literacy Grants program awards funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Applicant organizations must provide help in at least one of the following instructional areas: adult basic education; General Education Diploma preparation; or English language acquisition.

The Family Literacy Grants program provides funding to family literacy service providers. The foundation uses the federal government’s definition of family literacy when reviewing grant applications. Applicant organizations must offer the following: adult education instruction; children’s education; parent and child together time (PACT); and parenting classes. For both programs, applications will only be accepted from eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and/or educational institutions (K-12 private and public schools, colleges and universities) and/or public libraries. Applicants must be listed in the National Literacy Directory.The maximum grant amount for each program is $15,000.

The Summer Reading Grants program provides funding to local nonprofit organizations and libraries working to implement or expand summer reading programs. Programs must provide direct literacy-based services for pre-K through 12th-grade students who are new readers, below grade-level readers, or readers with learning disabilities. Applications will only be accepted from eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and/or public libraries. The maximum grant amount is $3,000.

All applicants must be located in and provide direct services in a state in which Dollar General operates and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store. Visit the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Web site for specific grant program guidelines and the application forms.

As part of the GRO1000 program, the company’s commitment to build a thousand community gardens and green spaces by 2018, Grassroots Grants will be awarded to organizations across the United States working to create edible gardens, flower gardens, and public green spaces at the neighborhood and community levels.

Applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations. Groups and projects without 501(c)(3) status may apply using an eligible fiscal sponsor.

Grants will be awarded based on community need, scope of project, and long-term sustainability of the project.

Grants will range from $500 to $1,500.

Complete program information and the application form are available at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Web site.

Committee Hearings

HOUSE TAXATION AND REVENUE COMMITTEE – EDWARD C. SANDOVAL, CHAIRMAN
Monday, January 30, 2012 – 1:30 or 15 minutes after floor session – Room 316

HB 193 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROJECTS (TRUJILLO) 11th of 12 on agenda

This is the House companion bill to S.B. 66. It has the same language and the same $9.7 million for libraries as S.B. 66. This is an opportunity for the library community to demonstrate our support for the GO Library Bond. In looking at the schedule, it seems unlikely that the bill will be heard before 2:30 pm, and probably a bit later. Wear your yellow “Support Libraries” button. (We have a supply of these thanks to the Friends for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Library System and the Library Advisory Board.) Even ten people in the audience would make an impression.

Bills Introduced

SB 137
ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS
Sponsor: Phil A. Griego
Current Location: Senate Education Committee
Actions: [2] SCC/SEC/SFC-SCC-germane-SEC
Introduced (1/23/12)

SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.–Six hundred seventy-two thousand two hundred dollars ($672,200) is appropriated from the general fund to the cultural affairs department for expenditure in fiscal year 2013 to pay for adult literacy programs statewide. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2013 shall revert to the general fund.

SB 195
ADULT LITERACY PROGRAMS
Sponsor: David Ulibarri
Current Location: Senate Public Affairs Committee
Actions: [2] SCC/SPAC/SFC-SCC [4]germane-SPAC
Introduced (1/24/12)
SECTION 1. APPROPRIATION.–Three hundred forty-seven thousand two hundred dollars ($347,200) is appropriated from the general fund to the state library for expenditure in fiscal year 2012 and subsequent fiscal years to fund adult literacy programs. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund.

HB 157
COMBINE TOURISM & CULTURAL AFFAIRS DEPTS.
Sponsor: Paul C. Bandy
Current Location: House Judiciary Committee
Actions: [4] HJC/HAFC-HJC
Introduced (1/24/12)
This is similar to the administration bill introduced in the 2011 session. It was heard this evening (Friday) in the House Judiciary Commitee. As om 2011, representatives of museum groups and the tourist industry spoke against it. The bill was tabled on a 9-6 vote.

HB 193
GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROJECTS
Sponsor: Jim R. Trujillo
Current Location: House Taxation & Revenue Committee
Actions: [6] HTRC/HAFC-HTRC
Introduced (1/25/12)
This bill includes the Library GO Bond issue. It will be heard on Monday. See above.

Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee

Bills Introduced

HB 34
RULEMAKING REQUIREMENTS
Sponsor: Nate Gentry
Timothy M. Keller
Current Location: House Rules & Order of Business Committee
HPREF [2] not prntd-HRC

(2) where appropriate, feasible or required by law, “provide to the public” may include distribution of rulemaking information:
(a) in languages other than English;
(b) to agencies of local and tribal governments;
(c) to community, interest group and trade publications;
(d) to public facilities, such as community centers and libraries, for display in each county in which the subject of the announcement will have significant impacts and in which there is not an agency office;

CULTURE DAY – MONDAY, JANUARY 23RD

Units of the Department of Cultural Services will have tables in the rotunda. The State Library and the Coalition for Literacy will share a table. There will be a flyer available on this table which describes the New Mexico Library Association and its activities, including a summary of the Library GO Bond issue, S.B. 66.

State Librarian Devon Skeel sends the following message from Anne Green-Romig, Director of Legislative Affairs
Department of Cultural Affairs:

“Many of our cultural advocates would like to recognize Speaker Ben Lujan for his support of cultural programs during his service in the legislature, and would like the recognition to take place now since it is the Speaker’s last term in the House. Right now, it is my understanding that some recognition of the Speaker to thank him for his support of cultural programs and services will take place on the floor of the House on Monday, January 23, which is Culture Day. The House is scheduled to convene at 11:00, and this should take place by 11:30. I just wanted to let you know so that if any of you want to be there in the gallery, you can be. And if any of your supporters want to be there in the gallery, they will know about it.”

SB 66 Activities:
ASL-SIG reports that a budget analyst at the Public Education Department contacted their leadership to request input for a Financial Impact Report about the school library portion of the library bond issue.
–
Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee

Bills Introduced

The Legislative Session begins Tuesday at Noon. However, legislators now
have the ability to pre-file legislation in advance of the session. Among
the 147 bills posted to the Legislative website is Senate Bill 66, which
provides for three general obligation bond issues. The text of the library
bond portion has the language that the NMLA Legislation Committee provided
to the Legislative Finance Committee and the Legislative Council Service.
The allocations for the three bonds are:

Senior Citizen Facilities – $ 12,015,000
Libraries – $ 9,830,000
Higher Education Facilities – $ 159,000,000 (includes “special schools”)
Total $ 180,845,000

These amounts are subject to change during the legislative process. The
amounts include the cost of selling the bonds.

SENATE BILL 66 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROJECTS

50th legislature – STATE OF NEW MEXICO – second session, 2012
INTRODUCED BY Carlos R. Cisneros

B. for library acquisitions and capital improvements at public libraries,
public school libraries, academic libraries and tribal libraries statewide:
(1) to the cultural affairs department:

(a) seven hundred thousand dollars ($700,000) for
equipment and supplemental library resource acquisitions, including print,
non-print and electronic resources, and for planning, designing and
constructing capital improvements to include library facilities for tribal
libraries statewide; and

(b) three million dollars ($3,000,000) for equipment
and supplemental library resource acquisitions, including print, non-print
and electronic resources, for non-tribal public libraries statewide;

(2) to the higher education department, three million
dollars ($3,000,000) for library resource acquisitions, including books,
equipment, resources and collaborative library resources and information
technology projects, for academic libraries statewide; and

(3) to the public education department, three million
dollars ($3,000,000) for library resource acquisitions, including library
books, for public school libraries statewide;

Hearings:

David Giltrow, Larry Horan and Joe Sabatini attended the House
Appropriations and Finance Committee hearing on the Department of Cultural
Affairs budget request on Wednesday, January 11th. Among the legislators
who asked questions and offered support for library programs were Reps.
Jimmie Hall, Lucky Varela, Don Tripp, Larry Larranaga and Danice Picraux.
Chairman Kiki Saavedra asked the Department about the depleted staffing
levels at the State Library. Secretary Veronica Gonzales stated that the
Department had been given permission to proceed with critical position
hiring, and that several positions were in the process of being filled. New
State Librarian Devon Skeele had the opportunity to answer several
questions for committee members. Rep. Saavedra noted the presence of the
NMLA delegation in the audience.

Rep. Rhonda King questioned the Department about the level of funding for
statewide literacy programs, noting that it was half the level of several
years ago.

Here is a letter received from the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy which
we have been asked to share with the library community. A PDF sample letter
is attached.

Heather Heunermund, Executive Director
New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
3209 Mercantile Ct. Ste. B
Santa Fe, NM 87507
1-800-233-7587
505-982-4095 (fax)
heather@nmcl.org

Dear Friends:
I have located the detail on the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC)
recommendation for FY13 and it states that, “Funding for the New Mexico
Coalition for Literacy for FY13 remains flat at $325 thousand.” I am still
in the process of obtaining the detail for the Executive recommendation.

Please continue to advocate for restored funding for adult literacy with
the Legislative Finance Committee and then the Full House and Senate.
Please ask your boards, tutors, and students to do the same.

I have attached the legislative letter sample that you may use to make your
case again, for ease of reference. If you need me to resend the
informational documents, please just let me know, as the file size is a bit
large. The tutors and students should write from their own perspectives
about the importance of one-to-one tutoring.

The LFC can be found here (just click the name of your Rep./Senator for
his/her contact info):
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/committeedisplay.aspx?CommitteeCode=ALFC
You can find all of your Rep. and Senators here:
http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/legislatorsearch.aspx

This is an emergency!

As always, thanks for your help! We understand how desperately this funding
is needed at the local level.

Heather

Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee

Library supporters should gather in the galleries for these ceremonies, which occur soon after the session opens. We do not yet have the times for these ceremonies, but they will be posted on information kiosks in the Capitol lobby. The likely time will be between 10:00 and 11:00 am. Participants who arrive before then have a better chance of actually visiting with their legislators in their offices or as they attend their 8:00 am committee meetings. We are also planning to have an orientation session at the Santa Fe Public Library downtown at 8:30 am. Details will be in the next bulletin.

A Legislation Committee representatives, wearing our yellow “Support Libraries” button, will be around to answer your questions.

Bring with you any information about your library and its needs, which you can leave off at individual legislative offices. Senate and House member offices are shown at http://www.nmlegis.gov/lcs/lcsdocs/office_assignments.pdf

We will keep you informed as things develop.

Joe Sabatini, Co-Chair
NMLA Legislation Committee