Funding of Public Libraries
Funding of public libraries in Styria for the expansion and updating of the media collection and to strengthen library professionalism. Applications accepted until March 31 of each year.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The funding aims to ensure a balanced and adequate media supply in all regions of Styria and to position public libraries as modern educational institutions. It supports the expansion and updating of collections, public accessibility, and the professionalization of library work.
Eligible expenses
- Media acquisition and replenishment
- Library furniture
- IT equipment (hardware)
- Events related to librarianship
- Measures to promote reading
Non-eligible expenses
- General software
- Ongoing personnel, operational, and infrastructure costs
- Brochures and general advertising materials
- Construction measures
- Non-library furnishings
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Styrian cities and municipalities as well as parishes as sponsors of public libraries
- Minimum stock of 1,500 media items
- Use of a library management software
- Minimum opening hours of six hours on at least two days per week
- At least one employee with professional librarian training or in training
Documents required for application
- Application for Public Libraries
- Funding Guidelines for Public Libraries
- Activity Report Public Libraries
- Form for Proof of Material Costs
- De-minimis Declaration (for Companies)
Evaluation criteria
- Contribution to comprehensive media provision
- Points for opening hours
- Media stock per inhabitant
- Digital offerings via DigiBib
- Staff training
- Cooperation and networking
- Reaching target groups
Description
The funding of public libraries in Styria supports municipalities and parishes as sponsors of non-profit libraries in modernizing their offerings. The goal is to ensure a balanced and needs-based media portfolio in all regions, promote reading skills, and strengthen libraries as low-threshold educational institutions. Funding is provided particularly for the purchase and updating of books, audiobooks, and digital media, the acquisition of library furniture as well as IT hardware and library-oriented events. The basic funding ranges between €400 and €2,200, depending on the media inventory, plus €50 for each achieved premium point, which are awarded for opening hours, collection ratio, DigiBib connection, staff training, cooperations, and user quota. Applications can be submitted annually by March 31; the project duration is twelve months.
Prerequisites for a grant include, among others, a minimum stock of 1,500 media items, the use of a library management program, opening hours of at least six hours on two days per week, and at least one specialist with library training or in training. Non-fundable items include general software, ongoing personnel, operational and infrastructure costs, promotional materials, construction measures, and non-library inventory. Eligibility for funding is based on the contribution to comprehensive media provision, the professionalization of library work, and reaching diverse target groups. The application must include the official request, the funding guidelines, the activity report, the receipt directory for material costs, and, if applicable, a de minimis declaration. This funding measure sustainably enables public libraries as central places of learning and encounter to expand their offerings and to act in a future-oriented manner in Styria.