Libraries Lead with Digital Skills

Minigrant Funding is Now Closed

The Public Library Association (PLA) has been  thrilled to work with public libraries like yours to get people the skills they need to grow their careers and businesses. As library staff, we know you play a pivotal role in developing your community by providing key digital resources and guiding your patrons on how to maximize them. 

Thank you to all of the libraries that have participated since the initiative launched in 2019. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we extended the application period in many states and opened up an “all virtual” application window. We also worked with libraries to be as flexible as possible knowing that plans changed while libraries were figuring out how to pivot from in-person  to virtual programs and also grappling with local and state health and safety requirements.

As the minigrant recipients wrap up their programs, we will continue to add to the state success stories (below) that highlight some of the work libraries did to help their patrons develop job skills or help local small businesses grow. 

Libraries Lead with Digital Skills is an initiative of ALA and PLA, sponsored by Google, to ensure that public libraries across the nation receive ongoing access to free tools and resources to help everyone across America grow their skills, careers, and businesses.

Questions? Please direct them to the Libraries Lead Team at minigrants@alawash.org.

State Success Stories

Communities across the nation continue to adapt to the changing economic and workforce landscape. To date, the Libraries Lead with Digital Skills project has awarded hundreds of libraries with funds and tools to meet the ongoing challenges facing small businesses, entrepreneurs, and job seekers at a time when it is needed most. Read the success stories from libraries in states that are making exceptional strides in helping their communities live up to their greatest potential.

 

About Grow with Google

Launched in 2017, Grow with Google is an initiative to help create economic opportunities for all Americans and draws on a 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Grow with Google aims to help everyone across America—those who make up the workforce of today and the students who will drive the workforce of tomorrow—access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.

  • Job seekers can grow their skills to find new jobs and advance their careers.
  • Small business owners can build their online presence and find new customers.
  • Startups can learn how to get their ideas the exposure they need to succeed.
  • Students and teachers can learn how to put the latest technology to work inside and outside of the classroom.

Libraries and other nonprofit organizations can access free curriculum and outreach tools through the Grow with Google Partner Program.

In partnership with
Grow with Google logo

Grow with Google training session in a library