Eisner Graphic Novel Grant for Libraries - Growth Grant

About the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant for Libraries - Growth Grant The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant will provide support to a library that would like to expand its existing graphic novel services and programs. This grant will encourage public awareness on the rise and importance of graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium.  The objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries is to facilitate library-generated programs and services that will promote graphic novels to library patrons and to the local community.Will Eisner (1917-2005) was an acclaimed American comics writer, artist, teacher, and entrepreneur.  He is considered one of the most important contributors to the development of sequential art (a term he coined) and is known for the cartooning studio he founded; for his highly influential comic series, The Spirit; for his use of comics as an instructional medium; for his leading role in establishing the graphic novel as a form of literature with his 1978 groundbreaking graphic novel, A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories; for his 20 years of teaching at the School of Visual Arts, leading to his three textbooks. In a career that spanned nearly seven decades—from the dawn of the comic book to the advent of digital comics—Will Eisner was truly the “Father of the Graphic Novel.”

Administered by:

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Award and Frequency

Each winning library will receive a grant award of $4,000 to support initiatives that align with the objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries.  The grant award will consist of the following: 

  • $2,000 grant to purchase graphic novels from the distributor-partner (current partner is Diamond Comics Distributors),
  • $1,000 grant to host a graphic novel-themed event at a library or another community location, and
  • $1,000 grant to attend the ALA Annual Conference to receive their grant money.  This grant can be used towards any of the following: conference registration, transportation, lodging and food.

In addition, from the book publishers and the Eisner Foundation, the winning libraries will also receive the following graphic novels, valued at approximately $3,000:

  • The Will Eisner Library: A graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies about Will Eisner comprising approximately 75 books and;
  • Graphic novels nominated for the current year’s Will Eisner Awards at Comic-Con International comprising approximately 100 books.
This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

  • All applicants must be current members of ALA at the time the application is submitted (personal or organizational).
  • The institution can be a school, public, academic or special library and must be located in the United States.
  • Existing commercial programs will not be considered.
  • A library or Friends group may not submit an application to Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant and the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant in the same year.
  • No library or Friends group should receive the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant for a project or program sponsored by Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant funding.
  • Institutions represented by the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant  Jury are eligible to apply, but Committee members must recuse themselves from the discussion and voting or decline the nomination if they have a conflict of interest.

Applicant Responsibility

Chosen Grant applicant must agree to take responsibility for organizing a recognition ceremony of their grant in their library. Grant winner will also submit a written follow-up report on their grant proposal detailing the results of event (including a final budget) within 12 months of receipt of the grant funds. We also ask that winners consider presenting a session at ALA Midwinter or Annual Conference about how the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grant impacted your graphic novel event or program.

Application Instructions

For the Growth Grant, applicants should submit one complete application - including the application cover sheet and a two-page narrative (no more than 750 words), an outline of the planned budget, and timeline. Proposal should outline how the library has demonstrated its ability to present a graphic novel collection, project, or program that promotes the significance of graphic novels by highlighting the quality, artistry, and innovation of the format and engages the local community as well as how the library will use the grant to expand or improve said collection, project or program. Submissions should be sent via email to the ALA Staff Liaison listed below; email subject line should read “2014 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant Proposal” and should be submitted as a MS Word document or as a PDF file.

Download the Application Cover Sheet as a Word document (11 KB) or PDF (30 KB).

Contact Information

Christina J. Coleman (Staff Liaison, February 24, 2014, to June 30, 2020) - ccoleman@ala.org
Work Phone: (312) 280-2152
American Library Association
50 E Huron St
Chicago, IL 60611-2788

Displaying active committee roster as of 08/22/2016. Last retrieved on 08/22/2016. Members can log in to view full contact information for committee members.

Selection Criteria

The Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant Jury will evaluate the applicant based on the following criteria:

  • The identification of the audience for the project and developing a program directed at that audience. The proposed project may be aimed at any audience served by the institution.
  • Originality of project and methodology showing a clear link between library objectives and community impact.
  • Documenting the need for the project, was the need well-defined
  • A project plan for expanding the existing project that includes a timeline, budget, and clarity of purpose
  • The quality of the design of the project.
  • The clearness of the action plan and calendar
  • Whether the needed resources were available (including staff) to make the project a success.
  • The degree to which the applicant's philosophy reflects the spirit of the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation and the legacy of Will Eisner himself as an innovator and creator
  • Additional areas that may be considered: the importance of the need met; whether the project improved services to users.

Notification

Winner will be notified by phone with a follow-up email with details.
http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/33695/apply
www.ala.org
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