Dear Michigan Library Community, For the first time since before 2020, the Book & Author Society is thrilled to announce the return of our grant program! Thanks to the incredible, ongoing support of our literary community through event ticket sales and generous donations, we are proud to introduce the brand-new Book & Author Society Collection Grant . What is the Collection Grant? The Book & Author Society will fund one $1,000 project annually to a public library in Michigan. This grant provides seed money for the creation or enhancement of a physical or digital circulating collection. The proposed project should fill a specific need, encourage patron use of your collections, and be thoughtfully curated for patrons of a variety of demographic backgrounds. Because only one grant will be awarded per year, we expect a highly competitive group of applicants and look forward to reading your innovative ideas! How to Apply: Applications will open on June 1, 2026, and will be collected via an online form. To give you a head start, here is exactly what you will need to prepare for your submission: * Project Proposal / Narrative (500 words max): A detailed description of the project's goals and objectives, and a discussion of the impact this collection will have on your community. * Demonstrated Financial Need (500 words max): A short description of how this grant will help fund a project that your library would not be able to pursue otherwise. * Detailed Budget (500 words max): An itemized list of materials/supplies and their intended use. (Please note: Grant funds cannot be used for staffing costs). * Supporting Documentation (Optional): You may upload files such as photos of your library space or sample titles to help the committee visualize your project. Note: The winning library will be required to report on the grant's impact by providing a short video or written paragraph for future promotional use. Important Dates to Remember: * June 1, 2026: The online application officially opens! * July 13, 2026: Application window closes. * August 3, 2026: The awardee will be contacted. * September 14, 2026: The grant will be officially presented at our upcoming Book & Author Event featuring Marjan Kamali! What's Next? Keep an eye on your inbox! We will be sending out the official application link on June 1st. We are so grateful to everyone who has attended our luncheons, purchased books, and donated to the Society. It is because of you that we can resume our mission of giving back to the libraries that do so much for our communities. Warmly, The Book & Author Society Grants Committee www.bookandauthor.org Kelly Bennett (she/her/hers) Contract Services Coordinator The Library Network kbennett@tln.org (248) 536-3100 ext.147