1) Watch for congratulations letters to arrive from Secretary White and Anne Craig, Director of the Illinois State Library.
2) Go to the WebJunction Illinois website to familiarize yourself with background details as well as the grant related activities that lie ahead. Please note that we will post reporting forms and information you will need during the course of the grant on this website: <http://il.webjunction.org/il-oo>
3) Share the good news with your library board and staff - that your library has been awarded this grant!
4) Shout it from the rooftops! Let your local media know that your library has been awarded this grant. Keep copies of all publicity for your files.
5) Get organized. Set up an Opportunity Online grant file. Think about the fiscal implications and consider how donations and grant funds will be managed and tracked. Keep a good paper trail knowing this is a multiyear project.
6) In the next few weeks, two copies of the contract will arrive in the mail. Sign both copies mail them both back to the Illinois State Library.
7) In mid-August, watch for a mailing from the Public Library Association. This will have invitations to the advocacy symposium: Turning the Page. Ponder who will be asking for the matching funds, and start thinking about the 3 people that you will invite to attend.
8) Register for the advocacy symposium by September 30 (firm deadline). Be sure your three members of the team are all registered.
9) Think about who will be responsible to complete the Internet and Public Library Funding Survey. Watch for announcements that it is time to fill it out (about September 7).
10) Browse catalogs and start an "idea file" with details about computers and peripherals you might want to purchase. Check out the resources at: TechSoup & MaintainIT Project & WebJunction. MaintainIT has a new Joy of Computing Cookbook, Planning for Success, that brings together the most current ideas and best practices from librarians around the country for planning, building and managing your library's computer technology.
