Funding & Grants

The Heartland Library Cooperative is a multi-county library as defined by Florida Statutes 257.171 and 257.172. Funding is provided via Florida State Aid for Libraries as administered by the State Library of Florida. Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services have also been used for multiple projects. No funding is derived locally.

Funding & Grants:

FY23:

  • Received: $450,000 in State Aid to Libraries
  • $28,450 from DLIS for an LSTA grant, “Help in the Heartland.”
  • Two grants from the Public Library Association
    • One Digital Literacy Grant for $6,000
    • One ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) Grant for $1,500

FY22:

  • $450,000 in State Aid to Libraries
  • $50,000 from IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) ARPA (America Rescue Plan Act) for our grant “Outstretching Hands.”
  • $78,885 from DLIS (Division of Library and Information Services) and IMLS for an ARPA grant “Bridging the Gap.”
  • $59,700 from DLIS (Division of Library and Information Services) and IMLS for an ARPA grant “Reading Across DeSoto.”
  • $14,550 from DLIS for an LSTA grant, “Reaching Beyond Our Walls.”

FY21:

  • $450,000 in State Aid to Libraries
  • $35,806 from DLIS for an LSTA grant, “Tails & Tales.”

FY20:

  • $450,000 in State Aid to Libraries

Previous years:

Year State Aid Award
1997 372,682
1998 372,126
1999 347,132
2000 384,660
2001 366,970
2002 400,000
2003 400,000
2004 400,000
2005 400,000
2006 400,000
2007 400,000
2008 384,000
Total $4,627,570.00

Below is a list of all grant fundings awarded and administered since the Cooperative began.

Code Award Project Funding Source
DLIS-96-I-01-A-04 55,000 Heartland Development Grant Library Services and Construction Act
DLIS-97-1C-021 31,500 FloriNet Enhanced Connectivity Grant – Hardee County Library Services and Technology Act
DLIS-97-2-01 7,750 Heartland Development Grant Library Services and Technology Act
DLIS-97-2-15 7,750 Born to Read Program – Hardee County Library Services and Technology Act
DLIS-97-2-16 7,750 Born to Read Program – Okeechobee County Library Services and Technology Act
98-LSTA-D-03 52,215 Born to Read Library Services and Technology Act
99-LSTA-E-03 30,000 Born to Read II Library Services and Technology Act
00-LSTA-I-03 59,641 Graying the Net: Building a Community of Computer-Using Older Citizens Library Services and Technology Act
00-LSTA-F-03 38,944 Born to Read Library Services and Construction Act
00-FLL-04 25,000 Desoto’s New Readers Florida Library Literacy
00-FLL-05 25,000 Libraries Support Literacy Florida Library Literacy
01-LSTA-E-05 48,166 Born to Read Library Services and Technology Act
01-LSTA-F-07 63,075 Graying the Net Year 2 Library Services and Technology Act
02-LSTA-E-05 48,000 Born to Read Library Services and Technology Act
03-LSTA-D-04 34,488 Born to Read Library Services and Technology Act
04-Gates-B-03 4,800 Staying Connected Computer Grant Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
04-LSTA-D-05-A 2,865 Prime Time Family Reading Time – Hardee County Library Library Services and Technology Act
04-LSTA-E-04 35,000 Born to Read Library Services and Technology Act
05-LSTA-D-03-C 4,800 Prime Time Family Reading Time – Hardee County Library Library Services and Technology Act
06-CLIC-04 4,800 Prime Time Extra – Hardee County Library Community Libraries in Caring Program
06-Gates-12 48,000 Hardware Upgrade Grant Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
07-CLIC-03 8,950 ESOL Computer Aided Learning – Desoto County Library Community Libraries in Caring Program
07-CLIC-04 10,000 Reading with Pride and Power – Hardee County Public Library Community Libraries in Caring Program
07-CLIC-05 8,950 Gaming at the Library – Highlands County Library System Community Libraries in Caring Program
08-CLIC-04 8,000 Hardee Goes Graphic Community Libraries in Caring Program
Total $717,694