Celebrating Ohio Book Awards and Authors

The Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors (COBAA) Grant is administered by the State Library of Ohio and funded through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). This competitive grant supports Ohio libraries in enhancing their collections and programming by acquiring titles authored by Ohio writers or recognized by Ohio-based book award programs. Established in 2016, the COBAA initiative seeks to connect Ohio communities with literary works of local significance, promoting literacy and fostering engagement with Ohio’s literary heritage. The grant program provides up to $2,000 per eligible library to purchase materials from a designated COBAA Title Selection Tool, which contains the list of approved titles. These funds are strictly allocated for the acquisition of eligible books and may not be used for any non-listed titles or unrelated expenses. Applicants are expected to submit a list of intended purchases generated directly from the Selection Tool. Pricing and cost calculations must be determined through the library’s usual vendor or supplier, as the tool does not provide price information. Eligibility for the grant is restricted to libraries in Ohio that meet criteria detailed in the program's FAQs. Applications must include responses to specific narrative questions outlining the intended audience for the materials, anticipated impact, promotional strategies, and methods for evaluating program effectiveness. Libraries may also describe planned programming or displays tied to the COBAA-funded materials. All applications must be submitted online, accompanied by a completed list of selected titles. Upon receipt, proposals will be assessed based on the completeness and specificity of responses, clarity of the identified audience, and the strength of the proposed promotional and evaluation strategies. Detailed responses within the provided word limits are encouraged to support the review process. Grant recipients are required to submit a final narrative report and a financial report including receipts at the end of the grant term. Templates for these reports will be made available online once the grant period begins. Libraries are advised to maintain thorough records to ensure accurate and timely reporting. While the current application period is closed, the program has a history of being offered annually. Interested libraries should monitor the State Library of Ohio’s announcements for the next funding cycle. For more information, applicants may refer to the program’s FAQs or contact the State Library of Ohio at 1-614-644-7061.

Provide as much detail as possible within word limits to help reviewers evaluate proposals.