This makes Wednesday, March 4, the deadline to post your Form 470 to the USAC website, meet the 28-day posting requirement for the competitive bidding process, and submit a Form 471 by the filing window closing date.
However, we do not recommend waiting until the last day to submit your Form 470! If there are any issues that day, like the E-rate servers are slowed down because it is the last day to submit, or you can’t submit the form due to reasons on your end, such as illness, weather, power outage, etc., then you would miss the deadline and lose out on E-rate altogether.
So, if you haven’t already done so, and you are not exempt, get your E-rate Form 470 submitted as soon as possible!
IMPORTANT: Before you file your Form 471, check your Form 470 Receipt Notification for your Allowable Contract Date – the first date you are allowed to submit your 471. Do not submit your 471 before that date! Remember, after you submit your Form 470, you must wait 28 days to submit your Form 471. You can find your Notification within the EPC portal in your News feed.
Do you need help completing your forms? Do you have questions about E-rate? You’re in luck!
Today’s E-rate Special Edition News Brief has detailed tips and instructions, as well as information about upcoming online training opportunities from USAC.
And more recorded webinars, demos, and training materials are available on the NLC E-rate webpage.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, please contact the State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries in Nebraska, Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
The schedule for the 15th annual Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference is now available!
You will find all the details on the Schedule page. Information about our presenters is available on the Speakers page.
If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to jump over to the Registration page and sign up – the conference is free and open to anyone in the world to attend! Please be aware that all times are listed in US Central Time – UTC-6.
You are welcome to watch as an
individual or to host a group viewing of the conference. If several staff
members from the same library want to attend, you can just register for one
seat and have staff members view/listen together via one workstation.
You can also host a viewing party this same way and invite staff from other libraries. For any group viewings, if you know who will be there, you can list your Additional Attendees on your one registration or you can send us a list after the event. Be sure to take all necessary health and safety precautions into account when planning group viewings.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2026 will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoTo Webinar online meeting service.
Are you considering building a new library or renovating your current library? Hear about one library’s experience ‘Navigating New Building Projects’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, January 14 at 10am CT.
Public library building and renovation projects are often once-in-a-generation events. Staff and leaders may never have done a similar project and may never do one again, making it imperative for libraries to learn from one another.
Our library opened the doors to its new building on April 1, 2024, after raising more than $3.3 million to help fund construction. After an overview of this project and process, I’ll discuss ways to help manage input, communication, and expectations during the building process, and share practical lessons learned about fundraising, moving, and building design.
Jan. 21 – 2026 One Book One Nebraska: ‘The Antidote: A Novel’
Jan. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech: How to Build a Virtual Makerspace
Feb. 4 – Homesteading at Your Library
Feb. 11 – Empowering Families Through Literacy: Tools and Strategies from Nebraska’s Statewide Initiative
Feb. 18 – Communicating Your Library’s Value and Getting your Board “On Board” to Help!
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
The FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window for Funding Year 2026 will open on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at noon EST and close on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT. You can read the USAC announcement for full details.
Get your library’s piece of the E-rate pie!
To prepare for the window opening:
If you haven’t already done so, and you are not exempt, file your FCC Form 470 now! You do not have to wait for the Form 471 window to open.
You must wait 28 days after your FCC Form 470 is posted to the USAC website before you can close your competitive bidding process, select a service provider, sign a contract (if applicable), and submit your FCC Form 471. If you issue an RFP after the FCC Form 470 is posted, you must wait 28 days from the release of the RFP to submit your FCC Form 471.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 is the deadline to post your FCC Form 470 to the USAC website, or issue an RFP, and still complete all of these actions before the Form 471 Application Filing Window closes.
Update Your EPC Profile During the EPC Administrative Window – by January 16, 2026.
Review your EPC profile and confirm all of your information is accurate including your organization’s name, address, and other details. Your profile is currently unlocked and available for you to insert any further updates, but will be locked again on January 16, 2026. Libraries should confirm their square footage, main branch, and public school district of the main branch information is correct and that any bookmobiles or kiosks are included. View the EPC Administrative Window webpage to learn more.
Please contact Christa Porter, Nebraska State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, if you have any questions or need any assistance submitting your E-rate forms.
The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, an annual award supporting innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries.
Applications due February 2, 2026. View the full award guidelines and apply online at www.ala.org/LTCEG.
Now in its seventh year, the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant recognizes, promotes and supports innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. It will provide two $2,000 grants to expand the community engagement efforts of a school, public, academic, tribal, or special library.
Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining activities for a library-led community engagement project. 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.
Each year, the grant supports community engagement projects with a specific theme. For the 2025–2026 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on the concept of “Libraries as a Lifeline: Building Belonging for All.” Libraries should work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization to develop a project that addresses a local issue and builds upon community assets.
Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to): a project that establishes a Community Care Corner with outreach materials, hygiene kits, and local resource guides; a program that collaborates with a local partner to offer micro-skill sessions on subjects like budgeting, digital literacy or navigating healthcare; projects that develop community connection by hosting neighbor gatherings over meals or creative activities to celebrate diversity; a program that hosts moderated community conversations on local issues by partnering with schools, non-profits or civic groups.
Last year, the Mountain Top Library (N.Y.) and Pottsboro (Texas) Library won grants for projects concentrated on building neighborhood connections. The winning libraries used LTCEG funds to create a collaborative, modern town map and launch a local civic engagement series.
ALA announced the creation of the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant in 2019, an initiative made possible by a matching grant and ongoing support from former ALA president and longtime generous supporter Nancy Kranich.
The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is part of Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC), ALA’s community engagement initiative. Since 2014, LTC has reimagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types, from across the country, have utilized the free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a safe space for residents to come together to discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.
LTC is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office. To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.
The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, to help ease library budget challenges by awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming.
Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2025-2026 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications to support programming related to strengthening community ties through libraries as third spaces.
As one of the few remaining “third spaces” – public spaces where individuals can gather outside their homes or workplaces – libraries are uniquely positioned to bring people together and strengthen communities. Example proposals could include (but are not limited to): an intergenerational gardening program, a program series engaging adults in play-based programming, or a visual arts performance at the library in partnership with a local theater group. Proposed programs should include how it will bring people in your community together, how the program will foster connection amongst participants, and how the program can help folks share space with other people in the community.
All library types – including public, academic, K-12, tribal, and special libraries – in the U.S. or U.S. territories are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.
Last year’s grant was for programming related to combatting isolation for older adults. The 2025 grant was awarded to:
Falls City Library & Arts Center in Nebraska to start offering weekly special offerings to older adults called ‘Senior Socials’, to create a space for seniors to gather and socialize consistently. The library will implement weekly senior programs, such as continuing its existing craft program and adding events like chair yoga, classic movie showings, and special speakers.
Hartford Public Library in Michigan aims to create more senior events focusing on keeping older adults physically and socially active, such as Tai Chi, chair yoga, and cardio drumming. The library will also start incorporating prizes such as non-perishable food and household and personal care products at senior bingo events.
Pottsboro Library in Texas will promote community bonding and celebrate older adults as knowledge contributors with ‘Share & Learn’, a community-driven program where seniors take on the role of presenter by sharing valuable skills and life experiences with others to help preserve knowledge and boost self-confidence.
Margaret “Peggy” Barber was a transformative leader in ALA and the library field who was behind the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. Read Library Journal’s tribute.
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant was created with donations from Barber’s friends and colleagues. To support the grant, make a contribution to the Peggy Barber tribute fund within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.
To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.
What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate?
E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment.
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) is your online portal for all E-rate interactions. With your organizational account you can use EPC to file forms, track your application status, communicate with USAC, and more.
In this workshop, Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, will explain the E-rate program and show you how to access and use your account in EPC to submit your Funding Year 2026 E-rate application.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Highlights from Internet Librarian 2025 will be shared on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 26 at 10am CT.
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
Just in case you miss it, this Pretty Sweet Tech will offer some highlights from Internet Librarian 2025 that was held virtually from October 28-30. It’s where all the cool kids go to learn about library technology topics.
I’ll include my usual disclaimer that I couldn’t make it to every session, but I did my best to dig around and catch the cool, helpful, or off the beaten path sessions that caught my eye.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
Dec. 10 – Return of the Canvaholic
Dec. 17 – Best New Children’s Books of 2025
Dec. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Jan. 7 , 2026 – Best New Teen Reads of 2025
Jan. 14, 2026 – Navigating New Building Projects
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Laptops make a great Staff PC! You can easily connect a full-size keyboard, mouse, and second monitor to them for use at a desk. Their portability lets them be used throughout the library for doing inventory and programs. Their built in battery keeps them working during power outages.
If the library wants new, larger 27” monitors for the desktop PCs:
This monitor comes with a HDMI video cable too! If the library wants to save some money and continue using their older monitors with new PCs, you will likely need to order new video cables. If you send me a picture of the video ports on the old monitor, I can help you select the correct video cable.
I am happy to assist with the configuration and installation of new PCs purchased by the library. If you will want my assistance, please contact me prior to ordering them. Depending on the quantity the library is ordering, I may request that they be shipped directly to me. This allows me to get the PCs almost fully configured in the lab which saves me hours of time when I am onsite at the library to finish their installation.
The NLC has exhausted the Medica grant funds that were available for the purchase of Faronics DeepFreeze reboot/restore software. Reboot/restore software should be installed on all Patron/Public PCs to protect the PCs from malware and the privacy of the patrons who use them. The library will need to budget $50/PC for DeepFreeze Standard. Reboot/restore software is not necessary on Staff PCs.
Andrew “Sherm” Sherman Library Technology Support Specialist Nebraska Library Commission andrew.sherman@nebraska.gov 402-471-4559
‘There’s Always Something Happening at the Library’! Learn about ‘Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 12 at 10am CT.
In many of our communities, the library serves not only as a traditional library but also as a gathering place and community center. Our goal was to turn our library into a true destination for our patrons by building connections and increasing the fun!
Learn how our library re-energized its programming efforts in 2024, ultimately doubling the number of programs offered and increasing our total patron count by nearly 20% in one year. You will leave with practical examples of inexpensive drop-in and passive programming that can lead to more visits and turn your library into a daily destination for your community.
Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
Dec. 10 – Return of the Canvaholic
Dec. 17 – Best New Children’s Books of 2025
Dec. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Jan. 7 , 2026 – Best New Teen Reads of 2025
Jan. 14, 2026 – Navigating New Building Projects
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn how smart partnerships can help you amplify your library’s mission on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach’, on Wednesday, November 5 at 10am CT.
In small and rural communities, libraries are much more than book lenders – they are lifelines for connection, education, and services. Yet with limited staffing, funding, and resources, small libraries often struggle to meet growing community needs alone.
This session explores how meaningful partnerships with schools, health providers, local businesses, and civic organizations can dramatically expand a library’s reach and impact – without overextending staff or budgets. Participants will hear real-world examples of successful collaborations: from hosting community health clinics with local providers, to co-creating arts programming with nonprofits, to launching book clubs in local bars that bring in new audiences. We’ll also highlight the power of working with Rotary Clubs and other civic groups to co-sponsor events, fundraise, and build awareness. Whether your library has one staff member or ten, smart partnerships can help you amplify your mission.
Nov. 12 – There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community
Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
Dec. 17 – Best New Children’s Books of 2025
Dec. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Jan. 7 , 2026 – Best New Teen Reads of 2025
Jan. 14, 2026 – Navigating New Building Projects
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
The EPC (E-rate Productivity Center) Administrative Window opened today, October 15, 2025.
The EPC Administrative Window is the period during which E-rate applicants can make updates to their organizational profile information in EPC to prepare for the upcoming FY2026 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window. This includes library square footage, as well as the individuals associated with your entity.
The Administrative Window opened today and will close shortly before the Application Filing Window opens in early 2026. After this time, applicant profiles will be locked and you will not be able to make changes to your profile information.
FY2026 will be the first year of the FY2026-2030 Category Two (C2) budget cycle, so applicants should update their student counts or library square footage if needed. The information in your EPC profile will be used to calculate a forecasted C2 budget for the FY2026-2030 cycle.
We’ll be ‘Discovering New Grants for Your Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, October 15 at 10am CT..
Due to insufficient budgets, libraries often struggle to provide the services, materials, engaging programming, and professional development that library staff need. Luckily, there are other funding opportunities available, if you just know where to look.
You may know about many library specific grants, but libraries are also eligible for other grants that might not be so obvious. In this session, we will learn how to find grants for your library in unexpected places.
Presenter: Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
Oct. 29 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2025
Nov. 5 – From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach
Nov. 12 – There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community
Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
‘E-rate: What’s New for 2026?’ workshops are now open for registration! All workshops will be held online only, via GoTo Webinar.
NOTE: This online workshop is being offered on several days and at varied times, to give participants multiple opportunities to find a convenient time to attend. The same information will be provided at each workshop, so you only need to attend one session. A recorded version will also be made available after all of the live sessions have been held.
What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate?
E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment.
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) is your online portal for all E-rate interactions. With your organizational account you can use EPC to file forms, track your application status, communicate with USAC, and more.
In this workshop, Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, will explain the E-rate program and show you how to access and use your account in EPC to submit your Funding Year 2026 E-rate application.
Dates and times:
November 7 – 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain
November 13 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
November 17 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
November 18 – 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain
To register for any of these sessions, go to the Nebraska Library Commission’s Training & Events Calendar and search for ‘e-rate 2026’.
Nebraska Accredited Public Libraries and State-run Institutions! Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? Apply for an NLC Grant!
Applications are now open for NLC Grants for 2026. Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2026: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence.
Grant applications for these 2026 NLC grants are due November 14, 2025.
For more information about these grants, watch the recording of the NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2026.
Continuing Education & Training to assist Nebraska libraries in improving the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. For this round of CE and training grants, applications should be for events happening before June 2026.
Internship grants work to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool, helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances to provide stipends to the student interns.
Library Improvement grants facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with state funds designated for these purposes.
Youth Grants for Excellence are available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in your community. The program encourages creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to enable youth librarians to begin needed programs and try projects which they have been unable to undertake, and to offer an opportunity to expand youth service capabilities in new and different directions.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is offering grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.
Applications will be accepted through December 11, 2025 at ala.org/LTCAccess.
The opportunity is open to any type of library in the U.S. and U.S. territories that serves a small and rural community – to be eligible, a library must have a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area (town/city with a population of 25,000 or greater).
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 would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.
Selected libraries will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term.
For a review of the LTC Access initiative and application process, register for the Pre-Application Webinar on October 1, 2025, and take a look at the Reviewer Rubric that will be used to evaluate your application.
Questions? Contact the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office staff at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).
Learn how ‘Powerful Partnerships Are Easier Than You Think’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 17 at 10am CT.
The Hastings Public Library has developed a model of providing outreach services through building partnerships. In doing so, programming has been elevated to a higher level and allows us to offer engaging programs that promote learning, create social connections, and stir up fun in several areas across the county.
Presenter: Sam Rundle, Programming & Collections Supervisor, Hastings (NE) Public Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Data Center 101 for Librarians
Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sam Shaw 402-471-3216 800-307-2665
Nebraska Library Commission Awards Little Free Library Grants to 23 Communities Across the State
LINCOLN, NE —
The Nebraska Library Commission is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Little Free Library (LFL) Mini-Grant Program, designed to expand access to books and promote early literacy in Nebraska’s unserved and underserved communities. The Nebraska Library Commission has collaborated with the Little Free Library Organization to provide these grants.
This year, 23 communities across the state will receive funding to either install a new Little Free Library or restock existing ones with high-quality children’s books. Grants of $500 were awarded to sites to establish a new LFL and purchase books, while grants of $250 were awarded to existing LFL locations to enhance their collections.
“On average, kids with access to Little Free Libraries read 1.1 more days per week compared to communities that do not provide LFLs,” said Sam Shaw, Data Coordinator at the Nebraska Library Commission. “We’re thrilled to support these communities in building and sustaining access to reading materials, especially for young learners.”
2025 Grant Recipients Include:
$250 Book Grants (Existing LFLs)
$500 Grants (New LFLs + Books)
Village of Cairo
Stamford Village
Long Pine Village
Hoskins Village
Waverly Community Center
Fordyce Village
Unadilla Public Library
Alda Village
North Bend Public Library
Chambers Village
Madison Public Library
Edgar Village
LaVista Public Library
Homer Village
Lawrence Village
Gresham Public Library
Big Springs Public Library
Faith Memorial Library
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Indianola Public Library
Minatare Public Library
Rushville Public Library
Valentine Public Library
The Little Free Library Mini-Grant Program is sponsored in part by the Nebraska Library Commission and supported by the Little Free Library Organization. Each grant recipient will receive promotional materials to help celebrate and publicize their new or enhanced community reading hub.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”
This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries; the smaller the better!
Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal.
We’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and four 10-minute “lightning round” presentations.
Do you offer a service or program at your small library that other librarians might like to hear about? Have you implemented a new (or old) technology, hosted an event, partnered with others in your community, or just done something really cool? The Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference gives you the opportunity to share what you’ve done, while learning what your colleagues in other small libraries are doing.
Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:
Unique Libraries
Special Collections
New buildings
Fundraising
Improved Workflows
Staff Development
Advocacy Efforts
Community Partnerships
That great thing you’re doing at your library!
Speakers must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library. Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2026 will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Speakers will present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.
Nebraska Public Libraries and State-run Institutions! Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? Apply for an NLC Grant! Learn all about the ‘NLC Grants for 2026’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 10 at 10am CT.
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2026: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence. Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
Grant applications for all 2026 NLC grants will open on September 19 and will be due November 14, 2025.
Join Christa Porter, Sally Snyder, and Holli Duggan, from the Nebraska Library Commission’s Library Development Team, as they provide an overview of the grants, including eligibility requirements and grant guidelines, the application process and grant review, timelines and deadlines. They will also share some tips on writing effective grants.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
