[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 59 (Thursday, March 27, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 14768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7814]


      

[[Page 14767]]

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Part VI





Department of Education





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Library Research and Demonstration; Notice Inviting Applications for 
New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 59 / Thursday, March 27, 1997 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14768]]



DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

[CFDA No. 84.039D]


Library Research and Demonstration; Notice Inviting Applications 
for New Awards for Fiscal Year (FY) 1997

    Purpose of Program: The Library Research and Demonstration Program 
provides grants to institutions of higher education and other public or 
private agencies, institutions, and organizations for research and 
demonstration programs related to the improvement of libraries, 
education in library and information science, the enhancement of 
library services through effective and efficient use of new 
technologies, and dissemination of information derived from these 
projects.
    Eligible Applicants: Institutions of higher education that meet the 
definition of eligibility under the terms of 20 U.S.C. 1141(a) and 
other public or private agencies, institutions, and organizations.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: May 12, 1997.
    Deadline for Intergovernmental Review: July 11, 1997.
    Applications Available: March 28, 1997.
    Available Funds: $1 million.
    Estimated Average Size of Awards: $200,000.
    Estimated Number of Awards: 5.

    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this 
notice.

    Project Period: Up to 24 months.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) in 34 CFR Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 81, 
82, 85, and 86; and (b) the regulations in 34 CFR Part 700.
    Invitational Priorities: The Secretary invites applications in 
which libraries help enhance the reading skills of young children. The 
Secretary is particularly interested in applications that meet one or 
more of the following invitational priorities. However, an application 
that meets one or more of these priorities does not receive competitive 
or absolute preference over other applications (34 CFR 75.105(c)(1)).
    Invitational Priority 1. Projects that demonstrate new and 
promising library reading programs to raise the reading skills of young 
children. Projects should be linked to school reading programs and 
involve librarians, teachers, principals, and reading specialists.
    Invitational Priority 2. Projects that develop and implement 
cooperative efforts among libraries, schools, and community-based 
organizations to recruit and train volunteers for after school, 
weekend, and summer library reading programs. Projects may organize 
corps of parents and grandparents to serve as tutors to provide reading 
help to children who need extra help.
    Invitational Priority 3. Projects that demonstrate model 
partnerships among libraries, local businesses, and community groups to 
stimulate young children's interest in reading. Projects should 
encourage the expansion of library resources through donations of 
computer hardware, reading software, and books.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 1996 President Clinton 
announced The ``America Reads'' Challenge, a major initiative to ensure 
that all children can read independently and well by the third grade. 
Approximately 40 percent of American third-graders don't read at the 
basic level on national reading assessments. The President invited our 
nation's schools, libraries, universities, communities, business 
leaders, and others to help meet his reading challenge. This 
invitational priority is a direct response to this challenge. By 
supporting demonstrations of model library reading programs coordinated 
with the schools and disseminating those programs that make a 
difference, we can move closer to the national goal--an America where 
every 8-year old can read.

FOR APPLICATIONS OR INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Dunn, U.S. Department of 
Education, 555 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Room 300, Washington, DC 20208-
5571. Telephone (202) 219-2299. Individuals who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Services (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 
8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
    Information about the Department's funding opportunities including 
copies of application notices for discretionary grant competitions, can 
be viewed on the Department's electronic bulletin board (ED Board), 
telephone (202) 260-9950; on the Internet Gopher Server (at gopher://
gcs.ed.gov); or on the World Wide Web (at http://gcs.ed.gov). However, 
the official application notice for a discretionary grant competition 
is the notice published in the Federal Register.

    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1021, 1032.

    Dated: March 24, 1997.
Marshall Smith,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement.
[FR Doc. 97-7814 Filed 3-26- 97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P