PLAN member libraries may apply for funding assistance with Innovation Projects to foster innovation through New Services, New Programs, and the use of New Technologies. Or put a new twist on some old service or procedure.
Libraries complete a short but detailed application that includes: scope of the project, need that the funding will address, resources required, activities with timeline, and how the project will be sustained.
- Projects may be multi-year, depending on the availability of funding. Multi-year applications should specify the amounts requested, the activities and the expenditures for each year.
- Large and small awards will be considered but projects of $5,000 or more will require a match.
- The application requires the approval from Library Director and the agent, office, or board to whom the Director reports.
- Applications will be evaluated by PLAN’s Board of Directors based upon the merits of the application and the availability of funds.
- PLAN will not issue funds directly to the library. PLAN will purchase materials/equipment on behalf of the library.
Application Submission & Completion Timeline:
- Innovation Project Applications must be submitted to PLAN by October 20 of the fiscal year (Oct. 1 – Sept. 30) in which the funding is requested.
- Applications may be submitted via email, fax (850.235.2286), or mail.
- The PLAN Board will review the applications and select those that will be funded by November 30.
- Libraries receiving awards will be notified in December.
- A written report must be submitted by August 31.
- Recipients will share information about their project by presenting at a PLAN conference (breakout session, lightning round, or poster session), conducting a PLAN webinar, or writing a blog post for the PLAN website.
2019-2020 Innovation project recipients:
Click on Project name to view a copy of the project application.
| Escambia Schools – Bellview Middle School | Making Over Maker Spaces | $712.00 |
| Escambia Schools – Bratt Elementary School | Code Capers | $4,877.60 |
| Escambia Schools – Suter Elementary School | All About Bots | $4,840.01 |
| Escambia Schools – Warrington Middle School | Ignition for Cognition | $1,085.00 |
| Florida State University | Captivating Instruction | $1,429.75 |
| Florida State University | Mobile 3D Scanner | $2,500.00 |
| Florida State University | Research Repository Accessibility Content Enhancement | $1,500.00 |
| LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library | Growing STEM | $3,120.00 |
| Northwest Regional Library System | Bridging the Deaf and Hearing Community | $1,800.00 |
| Northwest Regional Library System | Dungeons and Dragons | $1,000.00 |
| Northwest Regional Library System | Harrell Memorial Library Children’s Discovery Zone | $664.77 |
| Northwest Regional Library System | Lego Club @ Your Library | $614.12 |
| OCPLC – Valparaiso PL | Valparaiso Media Lab | $3,036.74 |
| Walton County Public Library | Coding Camp | $2,786.34 |
| Wilderness Coast Public Libraries – Wakulla | Kids Coding Expansion | $4,196.32 |
| Wilderness Coast Public Libraries – Wakulla | Tactile Toddler Tales | $567.95 |
View reports of 2014-2015 Innovation Projects.
View reports of 2015-2016 Innovation Projects.
View reports of 2016-2017 Innovation Projects. View reports of Virtual Reality projects.
View reports of 2017-2018 Innovation Projects.
View reports of 2018-2019 Innovation Projects.