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Federal grants are intended to meet goals authorized by Congress and often target community needs. Federal grants are not guaranteed benefits or entitlements to individuals. Most federal grant funds go to state and local governments, which in turn may award funds as sub-awards to local entities, such as nonprofit organizations. Because of this, contacting federal departments and agencies, state-level grants administering agencies (SAAs), or both to discuss grant opportunities is likely to be an important step for many grantseekers. However, due to limited purposes of grants and competition for available funding, grantseekers seeking government aid might need to search for funding options other than grants. For instance, individuals may be eligible for other kinds of benefits or assistance. Small businesses and students may be eligible for loans. Sources that grantseekers need to identify federal grants are available from federal government websites for free. The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (or "Assistance Listings" database) at beta.SAM.gov describes more than 2,200 federal programs, more than half of them grants, and can be searched by keyword, department or agency, program title, beneficiary, and applicant eligibility. Federal department and agency websites provide additional information and guidance, and they provide state agency contacts, given that some federal grant opportunities may be administered by state-level agencies. Once a program has been identified, eligible grantseekers may apply for grants at the website Grants.gov through a uniform process for many agencies (for state-administered federal grants, applicants may apply through the state-level agency). Through Grants.gov, grantseekers may identify when federal funding notices and deadlines for a program become available, sign up for email notification of funding opportunities, and track the progress of submitted applications. Because government funds may be limited, sources of private and corporate foundation funding may be important to consider. Sources for nongovernmental funding are available online from organizations supporting grantseekers. For example, Candid (formerly the Foundation Center and GuideStar) is a clearinghouse for information about private, corporate, and community foundations, with publicly-accessible collections of resources in every state. These private, corporate, and community foundations often maintain their own websites with information for grantseekers. This report provides a brief introduction to the grant process, describes key sources of information on government and private funding, and outlines eligibility for federal grants. This report also includes some sources for information on writing grant proposals. Additional sources for grantseekers include reports such as CRS Report RL32159, How to Develop and Write a Grant Proposal, by Maria Kreiser; and CRS Report RL34035, Grants Work in a Congressional Of f ice, by Maria Kreiser. This report is updated at the beginning of every Congress and as needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has published extensive statistical information on the U.S. economy and banking industry since 1914. This information has been published in various formats, usually referred to as "statistical releases." Titles and release numbers of the publications have changed frequently. Federal Reserve Board Statistical Releases: a Publications History describes these changes; it is a convenient tool that lightens the burden of tracing the titles and release numbers by providing history in a single location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the role of public libraries in the business of digital publishing in the U.S. It states that public libraries act as invaluable centers of learning, discovery, and entertainment. It notes that libraries make it possible for readers to use materials that they might never encounter in any other way.

Provides an overview of the processing of grants by members of the U.S. Congress. Way in which congressional offices can assist constituents applying for federal funds; Background of the appropriations process; Establishment and maintenance of federal contacts; Basic grants resources for a congressional office.

Presents a guide to one of the regular appropriations bills that the U.S. Congress considered for fiscal year 2001. Summary of the current legislative status of the bill; Major issues associated with the bill; Funding levels and related legislative activity.

The information superhighway has reached a crossroads. Internet enthusiasts accustomed to near-limitless freedoms are growing worried about government and industry attempts to introduce commerce into cyberspace. Film studios, record companies and book publishers are demanding greater legal protections for copyright holders. But Clinton administration and congressional proposals to thwart copyright infringements have met resistance from academics and librarians concerned about longtime protections for "fair use" in scholarship and journalism. Telecommunications companies and on-line service providers, meanwhile, are wary of being held liable for copyright violations committed by their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]