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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Do you have questions about the State Library of Ohio’s
<span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/open-grant"><span style="color:#0070C0">LSTA Open Grant</span></a></span> initiative? Maybe you’ve got a germ of an idea for a project and you’re not sure how to move it forward.
If so, feel free to drop in for one of the two upcoming Open Office Hour sessions with Library Consultant and LSTA Coordinator Jeff Regensburger. These informal, drop-in events are a great way to hear feedback on your idea, get timely answers to questions,
and learn more about what projects the LSTA Open Grant can and can’t support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Through the State Library of Ohio’s Open Grant, libraries may apply for up to $4,999 in federal LSTA funds to support a specific need within their community while helping the State Library
achieve the goals outlined in the <a href="https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/additional-resources/five-year-plan" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">State Library of Ohio’s LSTA Five-Year Plan</span><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">.</span></a>
The intent is that applicants will be innovative and creative with Open Grant support, proposing projects that might not be feasible without LSTA grant funding. Open Grant awards are expected to support new initiatives or services. They are not intended for
existing operational expenses. The State Library of Ohio’s LSTA Open Grant initiative is made possible with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The first Open Grant Open Office Hour is
<b>Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 11:00AM – 12:00PM. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><a href="https://events.library.ohio.gov/event/16781883"><b><span style="color:#0070C0">https://events.library.ohio.gov/event/16781883</span></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The second is
<b>Monday May 18, 2026, 3:00PM – 4:00PM. <br>
</b><span style="color:#0070C0"><a href="https://events.library.ohio.gov/event/16781908"><b><span style="color:#0070C0">https://events.library.ohio.gov/event/16781908</span></b></a></span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">These are informal, drop-in events. Whether you’re drafting your first grant or polishing a resubmission, these Open Office Hours provide a chance to get help and support during the grant
application process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Registration is not required for these events. Simply follow the link in the State Library of Ohio’s calendar entry and join the session at the appropriate time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="268" height="80" style="width:2.7916in;height:.8333in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DCD7C4.A2065C80" alt="A picture containing text
Description automatically generated"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75">Marsha McDevitt-Stredney<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Director, Marketing & Communications<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">State Library of Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">274 E. 1<sup>st</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Columbus, OH 43201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Tel: 614.644.6875<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><a href="mailto:marshams@library.ohio.gov"><span style="color:#0070C0">marshams@library.ohio.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><a href="https://library.ohio.gov/"><span style="color:#0070C0">library.ohio.gov</span></a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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