Libraries Transform Communities: Engagement Grant

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, provided by the American Library Association, aims to support innovative community engagement projects in libraries. This annual grant awards $2,000 to two selected libraries, focusing on themes of community empowerment. Eligible applicants include various library types in the U.S. and U.S. territories, and projects must demonstrate community collaboration and creativity. Libraries are encouraged to submit proposals that reflect local needs and foster civic participation.

Background
The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.
Project Information
Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme. For the current cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on community empowerment. This is the process of facilitating a populace to build capacity and collaborate to make important decisions about their communities.
Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to):
a project that brings people together to discuss the local economy and works to increase resources to support entrepreneurism based on the needs identified; a program that collaborates with a local partner to increase civic participation to help strengthen the community; projects that work with formerly incarcerated individuals to create better avenues for reentry; a project empowering individuals to celebrate and exercise intellectual freedom.
Award Information
Two libraries will be selected to receive $2,000 to advance their community engagement efforts. The grant period may be one to two years in length.

Eligibility

Eligibility:This opportunity is open to school, public, academic, tribal, and special libraries in the U.S. and U.S. territories.Applying libraries must demonstrate commitment to community engagement work and must submit at least one letter of support from a community organization partnering with them in this endeavor.The library/applicant must hold either an ALA institutional membership OR ALA personal membership.If an employee of your library has an ALA membership it will satisfy the eligibility requirement.Requirements:The selected libraries will be required to:Appoint one staff member as the project director of the project.Work with at least one community partner.Carry out evaluation and measure outcomes of the project.Submit any significant changes to proposed plans in writing to ALA.Submit a comprehensive final report to ALA with project accomplishments, evaluation findings, outcomes, and use of funds within 30 days of the project end date.Present the project either as a webinar or program model for ProgrammingLibrarian.org, a website of ALA’s Public Programs Office.Eligible Expenses:Grant funds are restricted to project related expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:Purchase of collection materialsTech equipment (e.g. virtual meeting licenses, iPads, Wi-Fi hotspots, etc.)Project supplies (e.g. markers, index cards, post-its, etc)Library staff timePayment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g. childcare providers, translators, instructors, co-facilitator, etc.)Promotion and publicityBranches within the same library system may submit individual applications as long as their institution meets the eligibility requirements. Proposed programs may be in-person, virtual, or hybrid.
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Ineligibility

Individuals and non-library entities are not eligible for funding.Grant funds may not be used to support indirect costs (e.g. general library administrative expenses) or as donations to other organizations.