Awards (Scholarships & Grants)

ALA invites library workers to apply for new Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for a new annual grant to support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. 

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant will provide $2,000 for a school, public, academic, tribal or special library to expand its community engagement efforts. Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining activities for a library-led community engagement project. 

Looking to lead? ALA announces free facilitation skills training for small and rural library workers

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has announced a professional development opportunity — including funding to attend an in-person workshop at the 2020 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago — to help small and rural library workers develop the communication skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century library.

LIS Students: Apply for the 2020 Larew Scholarship for Tuition Help

The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) and Baker & Taylor are accepting applications for the LITA/Christian (Chris) Larew Memorial Scholarship for those who plan to follow a career in library and information technology, demonstrate potential leadership, and hold a strong commitment to library automation. The winner will receive a $3,000 check and a citation. The application form is open through March 1, 2020.

ALA announces Libraries Transforming Communities community engagement initiative for small and rural libraries

Community engagement — the process of working collaboratively with community members — provides a roadmap to creating sustainable, resilient organizations and communities. Small, rural libraries are nimble, responsive organizations that can work with their communities to create powerful community-led change. By working collaboratively with community members, libraries can create a roadmap to creating sustainable, resilient organizations.

ALA accepting applications for Library Census Equity Fund mini-grants

WASHINGTON — The American Library Association (ALA) is now accepting online applications for Library Census Equity Fund mini-grants. ALA will provide 25 libraries with $2,000 mini-grants to bolster their service to hard-to-count communities and help achieve a complete count in the 2020 Census.

Deadline approaching for Carnegie-Whitney Award Applications for Guides to Library Resources

CHICAGO — The American Library Association Publishing Committee provides a grant of up to $5,000 for the preparation of print or electronic reading lists, indexes or other guides to library resources that promote reading or the use of library resources at any type of library.

Funded projects have ranged from “A Resource Guide about Disabilities, Disability Theory, and Assistive Technologies” to “A Bibliography for Queer Teens” to “Graphic Novels & the Humanity of Mental Illness” to “Web Accessibility Resources for Libraries”. 

ALA receives $2 million Google.org grant to develop library entrepreneurship centers

WASHINGTON -- The American Library Association (ALA) has received a $2 million grant from Google.org to develop library entrepreneurship centers and enable libraries across the country to double down on their support for people looking to start a new business. 

Applications now open for the 2020 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries

CHICAGO  —  The American Library Association (ALA) and the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2020 Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries, which recognize libraries for their role in the growth of graphic literature. Last year the Will Eisner Graphic Novel Grants for Libraries were expanded to award two Growth Grant recipients and one Innovation Grant recipient. The application deadline is Sunday, February 9, 2020.

50 libraries selected to host traveling exhibition from ALA and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum

CHICAGO — The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA) have announced 50 libraries that will host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. 

Scholastic Book Fairs sponsors AASL Collaborative School Library Award

CHICAGO – The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is pleased to announce Scholastic Book Fairs as the new sponsor of the AASL Collaborative School Library Award. The award recognizes and encourages collaboration and partnerships between school librarians and educators. Award recipients receive $2,500 and are honored at the AASL Awards Ceremony.