(via the American Library Association)
The American Library Association (ALA) will make available $1.55M in emergency relief grants to more than 75 libraries this year that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund invites public, school, academic, tribal, and correctional libraries across the United States and US Territories to apply for grants of $20,000.
These funds 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 2022.
Funds will support libraries’ ability to provide their users with the information services and digital access they need to retain or secure socio-economic mobility during a time of shift and upheaval. Libraries serving low income and rural communities, or communities that are predominately Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and People of Color, are especially encouraged to apply.
The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 21, at 11:59 PM CDT. To access the application, please go here.
If you are interested in applying for a grant for your library, we invite you to a free one-hour information session on the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund application. The webinar will take place on Thursday, March 24, at 2:00 PM CDT. We will highlight the fund, the application process, and respond to questions you might have.
To register for the webinar, please go here. This webinar will be recorded and sent out to all registrants, in case anyone is unable to attend.
To see list of grants awarded in 2021, click here.