The American Library Association (ALA) is currently accepting applications for Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, a grant initiative that will distribute nearly $2 million to libraries.

Learn more: www.ala.org/LTCFocus

Register for a free pre-application webinar (January 26 – will be recorded): https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/pre-application-webinar-libraries-transforming-communities-focus-small-and-rural-libraries-0

For questions, contact: publicprograms@ala.org

Participating libraries will receive training in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to 21st-century librarianship. Library workers will complete a free ALA e-course on basic facilitation skills; host at least one conversation with community members on a chosen topic; and receive $3,000 to support community engagement efforts. Grant funds may cover a range of expenses, including staff time and collections and technology purchases.

Up to 450 grants will be awarded in Round 2. Library workers may apply online for grant funding by March 4 at www.ala.org/LTCFocus.

ALA has already distributed 200 LTC: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries grant recipients in Round 1 of the LTC funding initiative. They comprise public, academic, school and tribal libraries representing 43 states.

Below are examples of conversations proposed by the first 200 grant recipients:

• Stair District Library (Morenci, Michigan) will talk with residents about the recent loss of the community’s 150-year-old newspaper in a discussion series called Extra! Extra! Read All About It!...But Where?.
• Danville High School (Danville, Arkansas) will have an online conversation with students, school staff and residents about the importance of mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Following a surge in suicides in their agricultural and mining town, staff at Duncan Public Library (Duncan, Arizona) will explore mental health through book and film talks and create an ongoing community support group called the Brain Support Brigade.
• Neligh Public Library (Neligh, Nebraska) will host online discussions about race for their predominantly white community. The series will kick off with a reading of a historical fiction title set in nearby Omaha after the 1919 lynching of African American resident Will Brown.
• Olive G. Pettis Memorial Library (Goshen, New Hampshire) will host nonfiction book discussions about nature. The library will also install permanent plaques throughout the region identifying local flora and fauna with QR codes that residents can scan for more information.

Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL).

United for Libraries
The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations

A division of the American Library Association

312-280-2160
www.ala.org/united