Celebrate Library Shelfie Day with These Nine Library Grants

In honor of Library Shelfie Day, which takes place on the fourth Wednesday in January, GrantWatch is sharing some of its favorite library grants that are currently available. These grants include funding for school and public libraries, training and awards for librarians, and book donations. Also, celebrate this holiday yourself by visiting your local library and taking a selfie with any books you find.

Grants for Librarians

• Firstly, there are grants to a U.S. librarian for travel expenses to attend a professional development conference. Preference will go to library professionals who can demonstrate the greatest need for education, professional development, networking, and service to their local community.
• There are also awards of $1,250 to a U.S., Canada, or International current or former librarian, educator, or researcher for extraordinary contributions to adult services at libraries. Contributions will be evaluated based on factors such as creativity and innovation, the impact on others, demonstrated leadership, publications, and the measurable effectiveness of programs. The nominee may be a practicing librarian, a library and information science researcher or educator, or a retired librarian who has brought distinction to the profession’s understanding and practice or services for adults.

In-kind Book Donations

• In-kind book donations to U.S. schools, Title 1 educators, and after-school programs to benefit low-income students. The purpose is to provide teachers with resources to instill a love of learning and reading in their students. Grants will go to the schools with the most creative and meaningful initiatives.
• There are also in-kind donations of new books valued at $800 to libraries in rural areas impacted by natural disasters. Eligible libraries are those intending to rebuild or enhance their children’s departments.

Grants for Libraries

• Firstly, there are grants of up to $10,000 to U.S. nonprofit organizations, public schools, and libraries to support charitable causes. Funding is for Coronavirus (COVID-19) related issues, human services, disaster relief, and the environment.
• In-kind grants of new children’s books to U.S. public and tribal libraries in rural areas. The purpose of the project is to increase access to quality children’s books. Recipients will be able to choose the most appropriate books from a list of over 500 high-quality hardcover children’s books.
• There are also grants of up to $10,000 to PreK-12 school libraries to provide books to disadvantaged youth. Funding is to ensure that school libraries are still offering children good books to read.
• In addition, there are awards of $1,000 to a U.S. library organization in recognition of improved services to people with disabilities. The award is to honor a library for efforts to expand existing or create new services. Projects should demonstrate innovation and organization. The award can be for a specific service(s) program or for a library that has made their total services more accessible through changing physical and/or attitudinal barriers.
• There is also an award to a U.S. library to acknowledge outstanding efforts to engage the labor community and bring awareness to the contribution and history of the labor movement’s role in developing the United States.

GrantNews Notes

Looking for more library or reading grants? Try our grant category specifically for Literacy and Libraries. This category has more than 400 currently available grants.