This year's applications will open in September 2024. If you are interested in applying, please familiarize yourself with the program requirements through the resources linked below, and consider subscribing to the Library Developments blog to stay informed of updates.
Resources
FY 2025 Texas Family Place Libraries™GrantWebinar
In this webinar, Family Place staff discuss the early learning and community benefits of dedicating resources to becoming a Family Place certified library. TSLAC's Youth Services Consultant and a member of the Grants Team discuss expectations and requirements for the 2025 Family Place Libraries™ Project grant applications and strategies on how to meet those expectations. The discussion includes a review of how grants will be scored as well as the information needed for the application.
This year’s institute will be an in-person training held May 5-8, 2025, at the new Cedar Park Public Library. Cedar Park Public Library is located at 425 South Parkwest Drive, Cedar Park, TX 78613. More information will be shared with FY 2025 Grant Participants.
Family Place™ tuition includes hotel costs and meals during the Training Institute, so separate hotel reservations are not needed.
TSLAC provides travel reimbursement to defray the costs of attending the Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute. The following expenses qualify for reimbursement: travel within Texas; incidentals (transportation, shuttle, tolls, parking fees, etc.); and meals not provided during the Training Institute.
TSLAC provides travel reimbursement to defray the costs of attending the Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute. This reimbursement will fund expenses for: travel within Texas; incidentals (transportation, shuttle, tolls, parking fees, etc.); and meals not provided during the Training Institute.
The Training Institute is a 3-day conference that occurs over 4 days. The opening session is a welcome dinner on the first evening and the concluding session is a mid-day lunch on the last day. Thus, the morning of the first day and afternoon of the last day are built-in travel time.
All grants are approved by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, TSLAC’s governing board. We asked the Commission to approve the full stipend amount for each library with the understanding that we would be amending them once we nailed down a location for the training. After Round Rock Public Library was set as the training location, we used the current GSA travel rates to amend each travel stipend. Contracts were cut using the amended travel estimates. Each new library was awarded $6,000 to establish a Family Place™ space post training and the additional amount over the $6,000 award is the amount of the travel stipend.
Since most of the training materials will be located online, please be sure to bring an internet connected device such as a laptop or tablet with you. There are power outlets throughout the training venue to help attendees maintain a charge, so be sure to bring charging cables.
TSLAC funding for attending the Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute is restricted to training that is needed to eitherestablish a program at a new locationorsustain a library's current program.
A library is considered to be in need of training "to sustain its current program" when it lacks at least one Family Place™ trained library administrator or library staff member. As a Texas Family Place Libraries™ Project grantee, your library is entitled to receive continued support from TSLAC to ensure its program is successful. This includes training additional staff members when necessary, depending on the availability of funds. This training is designated for two qualifying staff members maximum.
Libraries seeking additional staff training to more thoroughly support their programs will need to work directly with Family Place™ to arrange this training and pay for it using local funds. TSLAC is happy to share any remaining seats that are available during the institutes it hosts, so you are welcome to contact Family Place™ to see about getting your additional staff trained at that time. Kristen Todd-Wurm is the National Coordinator for Family Place™ and can be reached at todd-wurmkristen@mcplibrary.org or 631.585.9393 x 212.
Please direct this question to Family Place™. Kristen Todd-Wurm is the National Coordinator for Family Place™ and can be reached at todd-wurmkristen@mcplibrary.org or 631.585.9393 x 212.
Meals at the Training Institute include a catered dinner on the first day; continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the subsequent days; and continental breakfast and lunch on the final day. Whereas breakfast and lunch will be provided on site each day during the Training Institute, gift cards will be given to attendees so they can secure dinner on their own. In addition, travel stipends will fund expenses for meals not provided during the Training Institute - i.e. those consumed on travel days, to and from the Training Institute.
The host library will provide a list of recommended dining options for attendees.
Casual attire is perfectly acceptable for this training. Comfort is paramount.
You will be able to access all of the training materials from the Family Place Libraries™ website. Login instructions will be provided at the institute.
Please email the Youth Services Consultant at ld@tsl.texas.gov..
