Building Library Capacity Grants
91´«Ã½
91´«Ã½ Library Building Capacity Grants
Guidelines- 91´«Ã½ Library Building Capacity Grants
Deadline for Submission: April 12, 2024 by 11:59 pm Central Time (CT)
Award Notification Date: May 28, 2024
Before starting, read the grant FAQ and carefully review the requirements below in each category for the grant.
For questions, please contact the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Chapter Relations Office staff at or cro@ala.org, 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3200
Grant Description
The 91´«Ã½ Building Library Capacity Grants will assist libraries that are or will serve incarcerated persons or assist those re-entering society. It is open to 1) libraries already serving incarcerated persons or services to those re-entering society, or 2) those who would like to use the grant to begin serving incarcerated persons or starting services for those re-entering society. It is open for both libraries in carceral institutions and those outside carceral institutions.
For 2024, up to sixteen grants of $10,000 each to libraries to increase their capacity to provide essential services through March 31, 2025.
deadline is April 12, 2024, by 11:59 pm Central Time (CT) You can download a PDF version of the application to use as a reference while preparing your application.
Grants will be announced on May 28, 2024.
Grants are intended for library operations, including, but not limited to staff salary (direct or indirect,) materials, technology, and in-person or virtual services. Grants are to establish, re-establish, sustain, amplify services, or create newly needed services, to especially serve marginalized populations.
A library can submit only one application per institution; however, the application can request support for one or more library and/or one or more target audience across an institution.
Table of Contents
- Eligibility
- Award Information
- Requirements
- Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
- Application and Submission Information
- Budget and Statement of Assurance
- Application Review
- Grant Administration Information
- Points of Contact
Eligibility
- This opportunity is for libraries that are or will serve incarcerated persons or assist those re-entering society. It is open to libraries already serving incarcerated persons or services to those re-entering society, or those who would like to use the grant to begin serving incarcerated persons or starting services for those re-entering society. It is open for both libraries in carceral institutions and those outside carceral institutions.
- Individuals and non-library entities are not eligible for funding.
- Late, incomplete, and ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
Award Information
Awards of $10,000 for up to sixteen libraries.
Requirements
The selected library will be required to:
• Assign one staff member as the grant coordinator.
• Assist 91´«Ã½ in promotion of the award locally.
• Provide interim reports that show how the funds have supported expenses, on October 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025.
• Carry out evaluations and measure outcomes of the project.
• Submit in writing to 91´«Ã½, any significant changes to the proposed plans that were outlined in the application (changes over 5% of total grant budget)
• Submit a comprehensive final report to 91´«Ã½ with project accomplishments, evaluation findings, outcomes, and use of funds by March 31, 2025.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Staff time (only salaries and benefits. Bonuses are not eligible)
- Collections
- Technology
- Furnishings and Equipment
- Materials and Supplies
- Promotion
- Operation Expenses
Ineligible Expenses
Expenses not connected to the proposed services outlined in the application.
Application and Submission Information
To access the 91´«Ã½ Capacity Building Grants application, log into our grants management system, . Upon logging in, visit the “Apply” Dashboard by clicking on the word Apply” in the upper left corner of the screen.
Please note that 91´«Ã½ Apply requires a login that is separate from 91´«Ã½ member login credentials.
New 91´«Ã½ Apply Users: Visit and click on "Create New Account" to complete the 91´«Ã½ Apply registration process and create your logon credentials. Be sure to keep this login information for your organization’s records. You can learn more about how to use 91´«Ã½ Apply to submit your application on our How to Apply page.
Not sure if you, or your someone at your organization has an 91´«Ã½ Apply account profile? If you think that you or someone at your organization has already registered in the system, do not create a new account. Please contact us at publicprorgams@ala.org to inquire about an organizational record in 91´«Ã½ Apply.
91´«Ã½ will accept applications between March 5, 2024, and April 12, 2024 (11:59 PM Central Time)
Application includes:
• Contact Information
• Specific library type demographics
• Budget and staffing questions
• Narrative questions
• Grant Budget descriptions
• Statement of Assurance
Application Submission
Library can submit only one application per institution; however, the application can request support for one or more libraries and/or one or more target audience across a system/district.
You may save and return and edit your application. Once you have submitted your application, you can no longer alter it. The application will then be submitted for committee review. You will receive an email confirming submission of your application.
Make sure you complete all parts of the application, including the budget template. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on April 12, 2024. Applications submitted after that time will not be considered.
Required Attachments
Budget- Please complete the provided itemized budget template and then attach at the end of your application submit where requested.
Application Review
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- The budget impact on library to provide services to the community.
- Identification of target audience(s) and their needs.
- Proposed use of grant funds to serve target audiences.
- Expected outcomes, impacts, and measurements.
- Budget and alignment of requested items/elements to proposed activities.
Review and Selection Process: Proposals will be assessed, and awardees selected by the 91´«Ã½ Libraries Building Capacity Review Committee.
Grant Administration Information
Application deadline: April 12, 2024, 11:59 pm (Central Time)
Award notification: May 28, 2024
Award distributed: June 15, 2024
Earliest Project Start Date: June 1, 2024
Project End Date: March 31, 2025
Final Report Due: February 1, 2025
Points of Contact
If you have questions about the application, contact: the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Chapter Relations Office staff at or cro@ala.org 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3200
