FYI for those libraries with programs for incarcerated or recently released people or those who would like to begin such a program. The ALA Building Library Capacity Grant is for up to $10,000 and the deadline is April 12th. There is more information below and at https://www.ala.org/aboutala/Building-Library-Capacity-Grants. Karren Reish Library Grants Coordinator Library of Michigan 517-241-0021 / www.mi.gov/lsta ________________________________ The American Library Association (ALA) announces the opening of the second year of the ALA Building Library Capacity Grants that will provide grants to libraries serving incarcerated prople or assisting those re-entering society. Up to sixteen $10,000 grants will be given to successful applicants nationwide. The application site is open now. The application deadline is April 12, 2024, with awards announced at the end of May. There will be a virtual grant information session on Tuesday, March 19 at 3 p.m. Central Time. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, nearly 2 million individuals were incarcerated in 2023 in the United States- in prisons, jails, juvenile correctional centers, and other detention institutions. Research shows that increasing the literacy rates and strengthening the library and information access opportunities for detained and formerly detained individuals often correlates to successful rehabilitation and reentry. The grants are intended to bolster library operations and services including literacy and other skill development, developing collections, staffing, expanding outreach, as well as maintaining and amplifying existing service strategies or adding new ones to make an impact. "The American Library Association is committed to library access for everyone, especially for those whose access is too often unfairly restricted. These grants directly contribute to our mission," said ALA President Emily Drabinski, "ALA truly appreciates the generous support and long-standing commitment of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to assist under resourced libraries serving underserved or marginalized communities post-pandemic." The grant is open to 1) libraries already serving incarcerated people or providing services to those re-entering society, or 2) those who would like to use the grant to begin serving incarcerated people or starting services for those re-entering society. It is open for both libraries in carceral institutions and those outside carceral institutions. The ALA Building Library Capacity Grants are supported through a three-year grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Each year focuses on helping add capacity to different segments of the library community. About the American Library Association \