Now is the time to consider applying for a University Libraries Microgrant. The Microgrant Program funds small projects that foster innovation in support of the University Libraries strategic initiatives. This is a great opportunity to experiment with new services, processes, diversity initiatives, technologies, or sponsor exciting workshops. University Libraries staff and faculty are encouraged to apply. Application deadline is Friday, June 21, 2013. So, visit the Microgrant Program website for more information and see what projects were successfully funded in the past: https://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/admin/microgrant-program.html
Testimonial from 2012-2013 Innovation Microgrant recipient Linda Musser:
Power to the People – Safely
The microgrant I received in 2012 allowed me to purchase 9 portable batteries to loan to users for use with their personal devices (e.g., smart phones and laptops). Five different models were purchased so we could compare capabilities and see which users preferred. It was very beneficial to be able to purchase the various models for comparison since no amount of browsing online can compare to actual in-hand testing. Without the microgrant, I would have had to guess which of the batteries would best suit our needs. It was a great chance to leverage a little bit of money to experiment with something new and different.
Testimonial from 2012-2013 Innovation Microgrant recipient Sandy Stelts and Linda Klimczyk
Turning Document Citations into Fielded Data: A Pilot Project
The microgrant funds allowed us to hire Mark Mattson, a talented employee who could devote 100% of his time to this effort. Our objective was to explore methods to parse text-based bibliographies into fielded data. We found early on that “canned” solutions are scarce, and those that do exist don’t meet our needs. Mark actually developed and documented a method to parse text, which he plans to make available to the library community at large. This microgrant was also an example of successful interdepartmental collaboration between an author, Special Collections, I-Tech, Publishing and Curation Services, and the Penn State Press.