USDA Rural Library Initiative

The Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has designated $100 million in USDA Rural Development Community Facilities funding for public libraries. The $100 million will primarily be provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This program will provide financing to improve or develop essential community facilities in rural areas & towns up to a population of 20,000. The USDA has set a state goal of $2.2 million in library projects in this fiscal year, and as much as $500,000 is available in grant funding. Christine Vilsack, wife of the Secretary of Agriculture, has put together a video message regarding the USDA’s Rural Library Initiative. You can also find the text of her message on the USDA Rural Development Nebraska website. Scroll down the page to “Nebraska News” for the text file. Eligible Organizations include Public Bodies (cities, counties, districts, etc.), Not-for-Profit Corporations with significant ties to the local community, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Groups. Funds may used to: * Construct, enlarge or improve public libraries * Pay the cost to acquire land * Pay necessary professional fees * Purchase equipment required for operation such as shelving, furniture, computers, A-V equipment, distance learning equipment * Bookmobiles To learn more about this funding opportunity, check out the NCompass Live recording, USDA Funding Opportunities for Rural Libraries.