Library Professional Development Grants 
Library professional development grants are a core services provided by the BCLA, funded by our endowment. BCLA receives applications for the Online Development Opportunities continually throughout the year while IEDO and PDO opportunities are accepted twice a year (in June and December). The application for IEDOs and PDOs will be available approximately 45 days before each application deadline.
Innovation & Development Opportunities (IEDO)
This grant provides funding for libraries to partner with campus constituencies in creative and innovative ways to expand knowledge about library services.
Professional Development Opportunities (PDO)
This grant is for library staff to pursue short-term professional development activities. Any faculty or staff member of an ACA library may apply. More than one person from an institution may apply, but each person must apply separately. Requests are capped at $2,000 per activity.
Online Development Opportunities (ODO)
This grant supports short-term, online professional development activities that otherwise would not be possible, and/or to enhance the recipient’s professional pursuits within the operation of the Appalachian College Association’s Bowen Central Library of Appalachia (BCLA) or a member library.
Innovation & Development Opportunities (IEOD)
One of the opportunities that the BCLA provides for its member libraries is the Innovation & Enrichment Development Opportunities (IEDO) mini-grant. The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for libraries to partner with campus constituencies in creative and innovative ways to expand knowledge about library services.
- The IEDO Grants provide funding up to $1,000 per institution per year.
- The BCLA typically receives applications in June and December each year.
- Applications are reviewed and awarded by the Administrative Issues Committee.
- Email questions to Heather at Heather.Tompkins@acaweb.org.
Note: The next applications deadline is December 1, 2024.
Once you have finished the professional development activity, you must submit a report detailing what you did, evaluating the experiences you had, and commenting on the progress you or your library has made because of it.
For a full description of the IEDO mini grant, please review the IEDO Guidelines below.
To apply for the IEDO mini grant complete the IEDO Application below.
Online Development Opportunities Grant (ODO)
The Online Development Opportunities Grant (ODO) is an endowed program to afford funds to applicants:
- to pursue short-term, online professional development activities that otherwise would not be possible, and/or
- to enhance the recipient’s professional pursuits within the operation of the Appalachian College Association’s Bowen Central Library of Appalachia (BCLA) or a member library.
Please note that for each request, we’ll award up to $400 for an individual and $500 for a team. Each library may be awarded up to 2 ODODs per ACA’s fiscal year (7/1-6/30).
This application remains open year round and will be reviewed by the Administrative Issues Committee within 2 weeks of receipt. Once you have finished the online development activity, you must submit a report detailing what you did and evaluating the experiences you had.
For a full description of the ODO mini grant, please review the ODO Guidelines below.
To apply for the ODO mini grant complete the application below.
Professional Development Opportunities (PDO)
Professional Development Opportunities (PDO) is an endowed program that provides funds for library staff to pursue short-term professional development activities. Any faculty or staff member of an ACA library may apply.
- Requests are capped at $2,000 per activity.
- More than one person from an institution may apply, but each person must apply separately.
- Applications are reviewed and awards given by the Administrative Issues Committee in June and December each year. There may be an optional April award cycle, depending on availability of funds.
- Email questions to Heather at Heather.Tompkins@acaweb.org.
Note: The next applications deadline is December 1, 2024.
Once you have finished the professional development activity, you must submit a report detailing what you did, evaluating the experiences you had, and commenting on the progress you or your library has made because of it.
For a full description of the PDO mini grant, please review the PDO Guidelines below.
To apply for the PDO mini grant complete application below.
