Buckeye Book Fair Author Visit Grants For Ohio Librarians, Teachers, & Reading Programs

In order to promote Ohio’s authors and encourage reading, the Buckeye Book Fair will award up to six (6) author visit grants to Ohio schools, libraries, or reading groups. The author and title selected must be included in the 2017 Buckeye Book Fair, however the author and books will visit you! The author visit grants are made possible by the support of Ohio Humanities.

Qualifications & Guidelines for BBF Author Visit Grants:

The Buckeye Book Fair is inviting you to apply for an opportunity to have a 2017 Buckeye Book Fair author, illustrator, or photographer visit your school, library, or reading group and for the audience to receive free books.

 QUALIFICATIONS – Applications are open to Ohio nonprofit organizations, Ohio public and community libraries, and Ohio public and private schools that have a special project using one of the Buckeye Book Fair’s 2017 authors.

 GUIDELINES – Please familiarize yourself with the preliminary list of 2017 Buckeye Book Fair authors and their online profiles at www.BuckeyeBookFair.com. Proposals for author visits must be carefully planned and are to show new and creative ways to encourage reading and to promote Ohio topics.

 EVALUATION – In evaluating grant applications to determine the award recipients, our Grant Committee will consider the availability of our authors and evidence of careful planning in preparing the grant project. Priority will be given to applications with strong Ohio themes and those organizations that demonstrate financial need.

 DEADLINE – Applications must be submitted prior to or on the deadline of September 10, 2017. Requirements for the application: 1) One copy of the completed application must be emailed to [email protected] so that we can forward your request to the author. 2) A signed copy of the completed application must also be mailed to Buckeye Book Fair, 527 N. Market St, Ste 2, Wooster, OH 44691 for record keeping.  WINNERS – Grant winners will be notified by email by September 20, 2017, and will receive final details by September 30, 2017. Please email questions to [email protected]. 2017 BUCKEYE BOOK FAIR AUTHOR VISIT GRANT APPLICATION

Name of Your School, Library, or Reading Program (please also make clear what school district, library district, or official nonprofit entity is associated with the application) and Street Address:

Contact Person: Email:

1) Which 2017 Buckeye Book Fair author, illustrator, or photographer are you requesting for an author visit? Please note that author availability cannot be guaranteed.

2) Length of author visit (select only one):

____ One hour-long presentation

____ or Full-day visit (up to three 45-minute presentations) – requires a $500 match from the school, payable to the author, plus the author’s overnight accommodation prior to morning programs

3) Choose 3 possible dates for the author visit between 10-1-2017 and 11-3-2017. Ideal programs will plan time for reading the author’s book prior to their visit. First choice, date & time – Second choice, date & time – Third choice, date & time – 4) Briefly describe the host (your organization / group) and the audience (e.g. public or private, age / grade, interests). Where will you hold the author visit (e.g. classroom, auditorium, library)?

5) Give an estimate of the number of individuals expected to be in the audience below. If you want the audience to receive copies of the author’s book or gift certificates to the November 4, 2017 Buckeye Book Fair, please indicate exact quantities (40 maximum) below. Budget-depending, grant winners will receive the requested quantity along with final details by September 30, 2017. ____ Number of individuals in audience ____ (opt) Qty of BBF title – specify title in narrative ____ (opt) Qty of $10 BBF gift certificates

6) How many author visits have you had? What is your yearly budget for speakers? Does your organization have any financial needs that should be considered?

7) NARRATIVE (250-500 words): Describe how you will use the author’s book and their visit to enhance your program’s efforts. What themes will you discuss, and what Ohio topics are significant to this project? How will the experience of meeting the author be meaningful to your specific audience?

To be considered to receive a grant, we agree we will provide the Buckeye Book Fair with a written narrative report or testimonial— photographs and survey responses are particularly welcomed— within 30 days following the author visit.

Authorized Signature: ______Title: ______Date: ______IMPORTANT: This application MUST be signed by your Library Director, School Superintendent, School Principal, Treasurer, or the individual at your nonprofit who is authorized to enter into financial agreements.