The American Library Association announced March 3 through a press release that they will be distributing over $7 million in grants through their Libraries Transforming Communities Project. The grants will go to small and rural libraries to increase their accessibility and ability to serve disabled patrons.
According to the press release, “Beginning in November, ALA will accept applications for grants distributed over the next three years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide improvement of the library’s services. Grantees will then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.”
ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities has distributed funding since 2014, allowing libraries across the country to better serve their communities.
Additional information regarding Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, Grant Advisor RFP requirements, and how to apply for grants is available at https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access/rfp.
