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Category Archives: Grants
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 is tomorrow!
Join us tomorrow for the 2025 Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference. Registration is still open, so head over to the Registration page and sign up!
We have a full agenda for the day, with speakers from academic, K-12, and public libraries presenting on a wide variety of topics: reader’s advisory, interactive library displays, school/public library partnerships, marketing, sustainability, a Library of Things, Sensory Gardens, and much more.
And, Nebraska library staff and board members can earn 1 hour of CE Credit for each hour of the conference you attend! A special Big Talk From Small Libraries CE Report form has been made available for you to submit your C.E. credits.
This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries. So, come join us for a day of big ideas from small libraries!
Books Save Lives Grant
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) is accepting applications for its Books Save Lives Grants, providing funding for school libraries, public libraries, and educational institutions in the United States to purchase diverse titles.
Each Books Save Lives Grant will provide up to $5,000 per recipient. Recipients will provide a list of requested titles to WNDB. WNDB will then vet the list and ship the approved books directly to the address provided.
Applications are due by March 14, 2025.
- Applicants must work full-time at a school library, public library, or educational organization within the United States to receive a Books Save Lives Grant.
- This is a United States-based grant. Nominated schools, libraries, and organizations must be located within a U.S. state.
- Applicants must be located in areas impacted by book challenges and censorship efforts, whether on a local or state level.
- The grant must be used to purchase diverse books. Recipients will provide WNDB with a requested list of titles. WNDB will then vet the list and ship the books directly to the recipient.
- Recipients must complete two evaluation surveys after the books have been circulated.
For more information and to apply, visit the website at https://diversebooks.org/programs/books-save-lives-grant
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AARP Community Challenge Grants
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
AARP invites you to submit applications for 2025 funding for quick-action projects that can help your community become more livable for all residents, especially those age 50 and over.
Applications are due by March 5, 2025, 5:00 p.m. ET, and all projects must be completed by December 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted through http://www.aarp.org/communitychallenge , where you will also find full details about the grant program.
These grants are open to the following types of organizations: 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) nonprofits; Government entities; Other types of organizations considered on a case-by-case basis. AARP Community Challenge grants may be used to support three project types: Permanent physical improvements in the community; Temporary demonstrations that lead to long-term change, and New, innovative programming pilots or services.
Examples of previously funded Community Challenge Projects include:
- Avoca (IA) Public Library: Avoca’s Main Street already had green space and places to sit, but Avoca Public Library organizers wanted to give residents a reason to spend time downtown. To invite people in and advance the town’s creative placemaking plans, they installed oversized, weather-proof musical instruments outside the library. Since the instruments don’t require any training or talent to play, they are popular with residents of all ages.
- Aliceville (AL) Public Library: The project resulted in new computers, upgraded software and faster internet service at the library’s computer lab. The library also offered technology classes geared toward older adults.
In 2025, the AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications across three different grant opportunities. Organizations are eligible to apply for more than one grant opportunity and may submit multiple applications.
1. Flagship Grants
Flagship Grants continue the successful Community Challenge grant program, first launched in 2017. Flagship Grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects. In 2025, Grants will not exceed $25,000. These grants offer a broad opportunity for communities to apply for funding across several project categories: Public Places, Transportation, Housing, Digital Connections, and Community Resilience.
2. Capacity-Building Microgrants
Combining $2,500 grants with additional resources — such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, up to two hours of one-on-one coaching with leading national nonprofit organizations, and AARP publications — this grant opportunity will accept applications for project that benefit residents (especially those age 50 or older) in the following categories: Disaster Preparedness Planning, Walk Audits, Bike Audits, HomeFit Guide Modifications.
3. Demonstration Grants
This opportunity funds projects that encourage replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall
between $10,000-$20,000 and will not exceed $25,000. This grant opportunity will accept applications for
projects that benefit residents (especially those age 50 and older) in the following categories: Enhancing pedestrian safety, Expanding high-speed internet (broadband) access and adoption, Reconnecting communities divided by infrastructure, and Implementing housing design competitions.
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ALA Games & Gaming Round Table Game On! Grant
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The Games and Gaming Round Table of the American Library Association is proud to sponsor its annual grant program to enable libraries to develop gaming programs or collections for their public.
Applications are due March 1, 2025.
Through the Game On! Grant, $2,000.00 will be available to be awarded either as one grant of $2,000 or two of $1,000 each to assist a library (or libraries) in developing gaming programs or collections for their communities.
GameRT members in good standing currently employed at a public, school, academic, or special library in the United States or Canada are eligible to apply. GameRT membership requires ALA membership.
Libraries will need to illustrate a plan for a sustainable gaming program or collection created with the funds as well as financial need and institutional support for the proposed project.
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NEA 2026 Grant Opportunities Update
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The National Endowment for the Arts has updated its FY 2026 grant guidelines. The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026. The Grants for Arts Projects FY 2026 deadlines are now March 11 and July 10, 2025.The National Endowment for the Arts has updated its FY 2026 grant guidelines, with deadlines in March and July 2025. These changes impact organizations applying in the Grants for Arts Projects or Challenge America categories.
A webinar covering the updated Grants for Arts Projects guidelines will take place on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 2:00 pm ET. Free to attend; no registration required; join the webinar at https://www.arts.gov/news/events/webinar-fy26-grants-arts-projects-application-guidelines A recording will be posted shortly after the presentation in the Applicant Resources section of the Grants for Arts Projects webpage.
Challenge America
The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026. Organizations that have applied or were planning to apply to the FY 2026 Challenge America grant opportunity are encouraged to apply to the Grants for Arts Projects category at the March or July deadlines instead.
Grants for Arts Projects
The National Endowment for the Arts has revised the FY 2026 Grants for Arts Projects guidelines. A set of Frequently Asked Questions addressing the changes is available in the guidelines.
As part of these changes, the February 13, 2025, Grants for Arts Projects deadline has been canceled. The FY 2026 deadlines are now March 11, 2025, for GAP 1 and July 10, 2025, for GAP 2. Organizations that have already submitted an application must submit a new application under one of these deadlines.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes. Eligible organizations that received American Rescue Plan (ARP) or CARES funding are also eligible to apply to Challenge America or GAP. Applicants may be arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school districts), and other organizations that can help advance the NEA’s goals.
Challenge America
Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines to reach historically underserved groups/communities that have rich and dynamic cultural identities. Challenge America may be a good entry point for organizations that are new to applying for federal funding. The category features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance, and grants for a set amount of $10,000.
Grants require a cost share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater.
Application Deadline: April 24, 2025 for projects taking place beginning in 2026. The Challenge America opportunity is canceled for FY 2026.
Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects is the NEA’s largest grant program for organizations, providing expansive funding opportunities for communities across the nation in a wide range of artistic disciplines. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.
This grants program also welcomes projects that engage with individuals whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, race or ethnicity, economics, or disability.
In recognition of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the NEA also welcomes arts projects that educate and engage communities in dialogue about the past, present, and future of our nation.
Cost share/matching grants range from $10,000 to $100,000. Designated local arts agencies that are eligible to subgrant may request from $30,000 to $150,000 for subgranting projects. A minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount is required.
Application Deadlines: February 13 March 11 and July 10, 2025 for projects taking place beginning in 2026.
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NEA 2026 Grant Opportunities Now Available
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is pleased to announce that grant guidelines and application materials are now available for Challenge America and Grants for Arts Projects (GAP). These grants to organizations support specific projects in any part of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. jurisdictions. See below for additional information and access the full guidelines at arts.gov/grants.Eligible applicants include nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) U.S. organizations, units of state or local government, and federally recognized tribal communities or tribes. Eligible organizations that received American Rescue Plan (ARP) or CARES funding are also eligible to apply to Challenge America or GAP. Applicants may be arts organizations, local arts agencies, arts service organizations, local education agencies (school districts), and other organizations that can help advance the NEA’s goals.
Challenge America
Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines to reach historically underserved groups/communities that have rich and dynamic cultural identities. Challenge America may be a good entry point for organizations that are new to applying for federal funding. The category features an abbreviated application, a robust structure of technical assistance, and grants for a set amount of $10,000.
Grants require a cost share/match of $10,000 consisting of cash and/or in-kind contributions. Total project costs must be at least $20,000 or greater.
Application Deadline: April 24, 2025 for projects taking place beginning in 2026.
Grants for Arts Projects
Grants for Arts Projects is the NEA’s largest grant program for organizations, providing expansive funding opportunities for communities across the nation in a wide range of artistic disciplines. Through project-based funding, the program supports opportunities for public engagement with the arts and arts education, for the integration of the arts with strategies promoting the health and well-being of people and communities, and for the improvement of overall capacity and capabilities within the arts sector.
This grants program also welcomes projects that engage with individuals whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, race or ethnicity, economics, or disability.
In recognition of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the NEA also welcomes arts projects that educate and engage communities in dialogue about the past, present, and future of our nation.
Cost share/matching grants range from $10,000 to $100,000. Designated local arts agencies that are eligible to subgrant may request from $30,000 to $150,000 for subgranting projects. A minimum cost share/match equal to the grant amount is required.
Application Deadlines: February 13 and July 10, 2025 for projects taking place beginning in 2026.
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$20,000 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 27, 2025
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Christa Porter
402-471-3107
800-307-2665
$21,000 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries
The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Nebraska Library Internship Grants totaling $20,000 to sixteen Nebraska public libraries. These internship grants will support public library interns who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska’s public libraries.
“The internships are a great opportunity for students to get involved in library work. Beyond earning money and gaining valuable work experience, the student is exposed to the broad range of library services and programming. Internships provide an opportunity for the student to view the library as a viable and satisfying career choice. In addition, interns bring a fresh perspective and their own unique talents to the library,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner.
Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow staff, assist with day-to-day library operations, and implement special projects. Some of the activities that students will participate in include:
- Summer Reading Programs for youth, teens, and adults
- After school programming
- Assist cataloging Czech music collection
- Annual inventory
- ADA shelving reconfiguration
- New Teen and Tween programming
- Organize a new Junior/Teen/Tween Library Board
- Local history archive cataloging and preservation
- Assist with ALA Libraries Transforming Communities grant to improve accessibility for residents with disabilities
- Basic library duties: circulation, shelving, weeding, processing acquisitions, public relations.
The following 16 Nebraska public libraries were awarded 2025 internship grant funding:
Bennington Public Library
Garfield County Library, Burwell
Ceresco Community Library
Clarkson Public Library
Columbus Public Library
Genoa Public Library
Gibbon Public Library
Lexington Public Library
Lincoln City Libraries – Loren Corey Eiseley Branch Library, Charles H. Gere Branch Library, Bennett Martin Public Library, Youth Services Outreach, Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library, Northeast Service Unit – Victor E. Anderson & Bethany Branch Libraries
Madison Public Library
Cordelia B. Preston Memorial Library, Orleans
Palmyra Memorial Library
Plainview Public Library
Shelton Public Library
South Sioux City Public Library
Kilgore Memorial Library, York
Funding for the project is supported and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Systems.
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.”
Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.
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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.
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Tagged grants, Internship Grant, Library grants
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Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grants Application Cycle is Open
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is currently accepting grant applications for programs aimed at enhancing Adult, Family, and Summer Reading Literacy programs. The Foundation will also accept applications for its Youth Literacy grant program starting on March 6, 2025.The application deadline for Adult, Family, and Summer Reading Literacy Grant applications is February 6, 2025. Interested applicants may find eligibility information and apply by visiting the Dollar General Literacy Foundation Grant Programs website.
To be eligible for a grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, your organization must be a nonprofit organization as determined by the IRS, a public library, school or college providing direct literacy services within a state that Dollar General Corporation operates in and is within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. Other eligibility requirements are specific to each grant type and can be found within the grants themselves.
For the Adult and Family literacy grant programs, the maximum grant amount is up to $10,000. The Summer Reading maximum is $3,000 and the Youth Literacy grant is $4,000. Applying for a grant does not guarantee that amount due to the large volume of requests we receive.
Adult Literacy Grants (Grant Application deadline: February 6, 2025)
Funding is awarded to organizations that provide direct services to adults in need of literacy assistance in one of the following areas:
- Adult basic education
- GED or high school equivalency preparation
- English language acquisition
Family Literacy Grants (Grant Application deadline: February 6, 2025)
Funding is awarded to nonprofit organizations who support the whole family in literacy, providing:
- Adult education instruction
- Children’s education
- Parent and Child Together Time (PACT)
Summer Reading Grants (Grant Application deadline: February 6, 2025)
Local nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries can receive funding to support the creation or expansion of summer reading programs that meet the following criteria:
- Target pre-K to 12th grade students who are new readers
- Target below grade level readers
- Assist readers with learning disabilities
Youth Literacy Grants (Grant Applications will be available on March 6, 2025. Application deadline: April 3, 2025)
Schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations who help students that are below grade level or having trouble reading may apply with funding provided to assist in the following areas:
- Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
- Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
- Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs
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Apply Now: Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
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 will be accepted between December 2, 2024, and February 3, 2025. View the full award guidelines and apply online at www.ala.org/LTCEG.
The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant recognizes, promotes and supports innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. It will provide two grants of $2,000 for a school, public, academic, tribal or special library to expand its community engagement efforts.
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 will focus on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme. For the 2024–2025 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on building neighborhood connections. 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.
Visit the grant guidelines for more information.
Some examples of proposals could include a project that brings people together to discuss community tools such as “how to start a block party,” a program that collaborates with a local partner to host heritage or multicultural events, or a project that develops community identity by exploring local history through archives.
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.
Last year’s grant was won by the Hoboken (NJ) Public Library and Independence (KS) Public Library to support the libraries’ efforts in community empowerment. Their initiatives aim to promote food security and address homelessness within their communities.
The 2023 grant was won by the Carlsbad (N.M.) Public Library and Lexington (Neb.) Public Library to support the libraries’ efforts in adult literacy and early childhood education.
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.
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United for Libraries and Penguin Random House Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries’ Friends Groups
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
United for Libraries and Penguin Random House have partnered for a new grant opportunity for Friends of Libraries in small and rural communities across the U.S. Grants of $500 and $1,000 (totaling $25,000), will be awarded to support libraries in need.
Sign up for grant information sessions and/or training
These funds will assist Friends of Library groups with priority projects. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles.
Each grant recipient will also receive complimentary eLearning from United for Libraries. This includes a year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars, which present in-depth training to library Trustees/Board Members, Friends, Foundations, advocates, and those who work with them, and training on how to leverage the grant funds to build support for the library and the Friends group.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a cash or in-kind grant, Friends groups must support a rural/small U.S. library in the 50 states, District of Columbia, or U.S. territories (Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less, and in any area 5+ miles outside of a U.S. Census defined urban area (as defined by the Institute of Museum and Library Services IMLS). A library that meets the same eligibility and is able to demonstrate it has started the process of forming a Friends group will also be eligible.
How to apply
The grant application is open now through February 18, 2025.
- The application is hosted on the ALA Apply platform.
- Download a PDF of the application questions. Please note that (1) this contains all questions, you will only answer those applicable to the specific grant for which you are applying ($500, $1,000, or $500 in-kind), and (2) all applications must be submitted online.
- You will need to create an account on the ALA Apply platform if you do not have one already. This account is different than your ALA website or membership account.
- You can save the application and return later to complete. Be sure to submit the application once you have finalized all information.
- Refer to the Dec. 18 information session Frequently Asked Questions for details about the grants, eligibility, and more. If you need additional assistance, please email united@ala.org or call (312) 280-2161.
Grants will be administered by United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, whose mission is to support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries. Grant funding is provided by Penguin Random House.
Apply for Programming Support with the Fifth Annual ALA Peggy Barber Tribute Grant
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the fifth annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series.
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. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.
Applications for the award will be accepted from December 2, 2024, to February 3, 2025. Read the grant guidelines and apply online.
Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2024–2025 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant combatting isolation for older adults. Remember: your proposal should be focused on a program that combats isolation for older adults, such as a technology training club to teach seniors how to use technology so that they can stay connected online or a social club to bring adults together around an activity like crafting, gardening, etc.
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.
Peggy Barber served as ALA’s associate executive director of communications from 1970 to 2000. In that role, she established ALA’s Public Information Office, Public Programs Office and the ALA Graphics department. After leaving ALA, she was a principal consultant with Library Communication Strategies and served as co-president of Friends of Libraries USA, now known as United for Libraries. She passed away in August 2019.
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.
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2025 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
Applications for the 2025 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries are now open! These grants recognize libraries for their growth of graphic literature and award funds for graphic novel collection development and programming.The application deadline is January 12, 2025, 12pm CT.
The objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries is to facilitate library-generated programs and services that will promote graphic novels to library patrons and to the local community.
Two Will Eisner Graphic Novel grants will be awarded in 2025: one Will Eisner Graphic Novel Growth Grant, which provides support to libraries that would like to expand their existing graphic novel collection, services, and programs; and one Will Eisner Graphic Novel Innovation Grant, which provides support to a library or Friends Group for the initiation of a new graphic novel service or program.
All applicants must be current personal or organizational members of ALA in good standing at the time of application. The institution can be a school, public, academic, or special library and must be located in North America – Canada, United States, or Mexico.
Visit the Eisner Grants page for the application form and grant details. Be sure to also check out the Eisner Grant FAQ page for new updates and additional information, including samples of some of the previous winning grant applications.
Check out this recorded webinar for some tips and advice for your Will Eisner Grant application. For any questions, contact ALA Graphic Novels & Comics in Libraries Round Table Staff Liaison, Tina Coleman, at ccoleman@ala.org.
Each winning library will receive a grant award of $4,000 to support initiatives that align with the objective of the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries. The grant award will consist of the following:
- $2,000 grant in collection development funds to purchase graphic novels,
- $1,000 grant to host a graphic novel-themed event at a library or another community location, and
- $1,000 grant to attend the ALA Annual Conference to receive their grant money. This grant can be used towards any of the following: conference registration, transportation, lodging and food.
In addition, from the book publishers and the Eisner Foundation, the winning libraries will also receive the following graphic novels, valued at approximately $3,000:
- The Will Eisner Library: A graphic novel collection of Will Eisner’s work and biographies about Will Eisner* (comprising approximately 40 books)
- A selection of the winning titles from the current year’s Will Eisner Awards* at Comic-Con International (comprising approximately 40 books).
* Please note that some of the titles in these collections are of a mature nature.
Chosen Grant applicants must agree to take responsibility for organizing a recognition ceremony of their grant in their library.
Will Eisner (1917-2005) was an acclaimed American comics writer, artist, teacher, and entrepreneur. He is considered one of the most important contributors to the development of sequential art (a term he coined) and is known for the cartooning studio he founded; for his highly influential comic series, The Spirit; for his use of comics as an instructional medium; for his leading role in establishing the graphic novel as a form of literature with his 1978 groundbreaking graphic novel, A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories; for his 20 years of teaching at the School of Visual Arts, leading to his three textbooks. In a career that spanned nearly seven decades—from the dawn of the comic book to the advent of digital comics—Will Eisner was truly the “Father of the Graphic Novel.”
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Tagged #eisnergrant, #GNCRT, #graphicnovels, #willeisner
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Apply now for Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grants
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The Application deadline is January 16, 2025. Those libraries which have previously applied for the grant but did not receive funding are invited to submit again.
Public Libraries have a long tradition of building stronger communities by providing life-long learning opportunities for children and teens. The SKPL Team is honored to have the opportunity to enrich the services that public libraries offer. SKPL enables children, parents, and teachers the chance to borrow library kits for hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning at home or in classroom.
Visit the SKPL website, https://r4.ieee.org/skpl/ for the application form and submission details.
Region 4, Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) organization is a volunteer-based organization affiliated with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). SKPL believes all children – regardless of race, gender, financial condition, or home environment – should have access to high-quality, hands-on STEM learning experiences. By making catalyst grants available to public libraries, we empower them to start their own science kit collections that are free and accessible to the public.
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Applications Now Open for NEA Big Read Grants
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
Applications are now open for the 2025-26 cycle of the NEA Big Read, a national program that offers matching grants of up to $20,000 to support community-wide reading programs around the theme of “Our Nature: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection.”The Intent to Apply deadline is January 23, 2025. Final Application due: January 30, 2025. Visit Arts Midwest’s website for complete grant guidelines and to apply.
The 22 NEA Big Read books available for programming this cycle explore our relationship with the physical environment, from our cities and farms to our mountains and coastlines. Applicants will host book discussions, writing workshops, and other creative activities that examine how we shape our physical environment and how it shapes us.
The NEA Big Read welcomes applications from a variety of eligible organizations, including first-time applicants; organizations serving communities of all sizes, including rural and urban areas; and organizations with small, medium or large operating budgets. Eligible applicants include nonprofit arts organizations, universities/colleges, school districts, public libraries, tribal organizations, museums, and community service organizations located and operating within the United States, U.S. Territories, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
Potential applicants may sign up for a live informational webinar, being held on November 14, 2024 at 1pm CT, to learn more about the program. All registrants will be send a link to the recording, even if you cannot attend the live event.
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Apply for PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
With support from AT&T, the Public Library Association (PLA) is offering incentives for public libraries to teach digital literacy workshops for library patrons and community members. Applications are open now through October 18, 2024, for the below incentives.
PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive
This program will award $10,000 to large public libraries and $5,000 to small public libraries, as well as provide the necessary training resources, to conduct workshops that teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials.
PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive
This new pilot program will award $4,000 to public libraries with digital navigators to utilize DigitalLearn materials and resources. Libraries must already have a digital navigator to apply.
About PLA’s Collaboration with AT&T
Each year, the Public Library Association (PLA), in partnership with AT&T, offers financial support to public libraries through digital literacy incentive programs. These competitive programs provide the funding and resources necessary for libraries to teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials. Since 2022, PLA has helped nearly 400 public libraries conduct more than 3,800 workshops, training more than 19,000 learners across the country.
With support from AT&T as part of AT&T Connected Learning and the company’s commitment to bridge the digital divide, PLA has been able to add and update more than a dozen online DigitalLearn courses, and develop 9 new complete training packages. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. All DigitalLearn materials are free to use.
Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Technology
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Apply now for Round 3 of ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities Grant: Accessible Small and Rural Communities
For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.
The American Library Association invites applications from small and rural libraries for the second application period of the Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. ALA is now accepting applications for grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.
Applications will be accepted through December 11, 2024 at https://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/access
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.
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).
Posted in Grants, Library Management, Programming
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NCompass Live: NLC Grants for 2025
Learn more about the NLC Grants for 2025 on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 25 at 10am CT.
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!
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2025: 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 2025 NLC grants opened on September 20 and will be due November 15, 2024.
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:
- Oct. 2 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
- Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
- Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
- Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
- Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
- Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
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.
Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, General, Grants, Information Resources, Library Management, Now hiring @ your library, Preservation, Programming, Public Library Boards of Trustees, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services
Tagged Continuing Education, Internship Grants, library improvement gratns, NCompLive, Youth Grants for Excellence
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2025 NLC Grants are Open for Applications!
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!
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2025: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence.
Applications are being accepted for all NLC grants right now! Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
Grant applications for all 2025 NLC grants are due November 15, 2024.
For more information about these grants, register for the September 25 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2025.
Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve 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. There will be two rounds of CE Grants. The first fall grants will open in September and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that must be completed before June 2025 . The second spring round will open in March and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that begin after June 2025.
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 federal 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.
Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025
The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 is now open!
Submit your proposal by Friday, December 13, 2024.
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 from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered. Speakers must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 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.
This conference is sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and the Nebraska Library Commission.
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash
Fern V. Heim Trustee Scholarship: Applications Extended!
Apply for an individual scholarship to attend either the NLA 2024 Conference in Kearney on October 9th-11th or to virtually attend the ARSL 2024 Conference on September 11th-14th!
**These scholarships are open only for current Nebraska Public Library Board Members!**
The Fern V. Heim Scholarship for Trustees was established by her friend, Mary Louise Dutcher, to honor Fern’s dedication to small public libraries and their trustees. Although Fern’s library career began in special libraries (Head of the UNL Chemistry Department Library, Serials and Circulation Departments of UNL Love Library, and then Director of the Research Library at Goodrich Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio), her work at the Nebraska Library Commission was devoted to public libraries. Recognizing that few small library budgets could provide support for librarians, let alone their volunteer trustees, to attend professional meetings, she encouraged them to go whenever possible (at their own expense) if only for a portion of the meeting. As her legacy, it is fitting to assist those trustees through this scholarship program.
The Fern V. Heim Scholarship Award was established to provide assistance to current public library trustees with preference to members of the Nebraska Library Association Public Library and Trustee Section (PLTS) for attendance at the Nebraska Library Association Conference or the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference.
Applications due by Friday, September 6, 2024!
For more details and application:
- Fern V. Heim Library Trustee Scholarship
- Grant Application
- NLA Conference Website
- ARSL Conference Website (Virtual Registration)
Please submit all grant application forms and questions to: Holli Duggan
