Reminder of this grant opportunity courtesy ALA. Note that applications are accepted through December 2nd . Apply for the grant from this page<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ala.org%2Ftools%2Flibrariestransform%2Flibraries-transforming-communities%2Ffocusgrants&data=04%7C01%7Cwhites29%40michigan.gov%7Cd834080e4bf742fcf59408d8871a1fbd%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C1%7C637407893560675768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=P%2FC9qgLFX1vjsO8VEf1Mzxya4Wi7C7reo8K4C5jKenU%3D&reserved=0>. For more information, including project guidelines and FAQ, visit http://www.ala.org/tools/librariestransform/libraries-transforming-communities/focusgrants<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ala.org%2Ftools%2Flibrariestransform%2Flibraries-transforming-communities%2Ffocusgrants&data=04%7C01%7Cwhites29%40michigan.gov%7Cd834080e4bf742fcf59408d8871a1fbd%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C1%7C637407893560675768%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=P%2FC9qgLFX1vjsO8VEf1Mzxya4Wi7C7reo8K4C5jKenU%3D&reserved=0> Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) that seeks to provide community engagement resources and opportunities specific to the needs of library workers serving small and rural communities. Libraries today are serving their patrons in new and exciting ways through community engagement. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students or partner organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community. As champions of lifelong learning, libraries are a place to quench curiosity, access technology, and explore new ideas, hobbies and careers. Increasingly, libraries also offer patrons welcoming virtual and physical spaces to meet their neighbors to discuss and resolve important issues. As part of this initiative, ALA will provide implementation grants to libraries serving small and/or rural communities to develop and lead a community engagement project that builds on the Libraries Transforming Communities: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries e-course and facilitation guide<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ala.org%2Ftools%2Flibrariestransform%2Flibraries-transforming-communities%2Fsmall-mid-rural-public&data=04%7C01%7Cwhites29%40michigan.gov%7Cd834080e4bf742fcf59408d8871a1fbd%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C1%7C637407893560685725%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=j7kvjzxElljB8gfEOCAvl18IbxjbSwx%2BvmE2q%2BEeZoo%3D&reserved=0>. The goal of these grants are two-fold: a. this project is for library workers to use the skills learned through the LTC: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries asynchronous 6-part e-course and facilitation guide to develop a community engagement program, and b. to provide flexible funding to support library community engagement. Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries 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). It is supported by a private donor and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Eligibility * Applicants must have an institutional OR personal membership with either the American Library Association<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ala.org%2Fmembership%2Fala-personal-membership-benefits-types&data=04%7C01%7Cwhites29%40michigan.gov%7Cd834080e4bf742fcf59408d8871a1fbd%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C1%7C637407893560685725%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=QtpFeyt%2FE4tNxBclfu4nZG%2FzNm7PdYl1sIj8RItjJlY%3D&reserved=0> OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries<https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arsl.org%2Fjoin-arsl&data=04%7C01%7Cwhites29%40michigan.gov%7Cd834080e4bf742fcf59408d8871a1fbd%7Cd5fb7087377742ad966a892ef47225d1%7C0%7C1%7C637407893560695680%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=Uc3%2BTYx%2BK43zutDwdGSNo2%2BRBxGZm55jCz9CThT3Ino%3D&reserved=0>. * This opportunity is open to all types of libraries serving small and/or rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. * The Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) defines libraries serving small communities as those with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less and a rural community as one that is more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area. * Only complete and eligible applications that are received on time will be reviewed.