(via Lauren Carlton–ACRL Program Officer, Member Services)
The American Library Association (ALA) announces the opening of the ALA Building Library Capacity Grants that will provide grants to assist libraries at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) across the United States and US Territories that have experienced economic hardship due the consequences of the pandemic and its aftermath, to help increase academic support and achievement for students.
Recognizing that many MSI libraries are located in communities that lag behind the national average in terms of income and broadband access, these funds are intended to supplement staffing, program, and service strategies that may contribute to improved college experience and graduation rates.
Sixteen $10,000 grants will be given to successful applicants nationwide. The application site is open now. The application deadline is Wednesday, May 24, with awards announced at the end of June.
There will be a virtual grant information session on Tuesday, April 25, at 2:00 PM CDT.
MSI’s are designated by the U.S. Department of Education and enroll some of the most racially and ethnically diverse students across the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.
Minority-Serving Institutions include:
- Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (ANNAPISIs)
- Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNHs)
- Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic Serving institutions (HSIs)
- Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs)
- Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs)
- Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
The grants are intended to bolster library operations and services including broadening technology access, developing collections, providing digital instruction, staffing, and expanding outreach, as well as maintaining and amplifying existing service strategies or adding new ones to extend impact through the end of 2023.
To see the full announcement, please go here. Please send any questions to Michael Dowling, Director of ALA’s Chapter Relations Office, at mdowling@ala.org.