ALA COVID Library Relief Fund - Frequently Asked Questions
This resource provides answers to many questions that you might have about the application process. This page will be updated as additional frequent questions are identified.
Eligibility and Awards | Preparing your application | Timeline and Review Process | Award Information and Grant Requirements | Additional Questions
Q. What is considered a ‘substantial economic hardship’ to be eligible to apply for a grant?
To be eligible, the library should have had at least 5% cut from its budget since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. For example, if your budget in March 2020 was $10,000, but it is currently $9,500 that is a 5% reduction to your budget, and would be considered eligible regardless of when the budget cuts may have occurred in the budget cycle.
Reductions to library budgets vary in impact. For some a 10% cut is more devastating than a 20% cut elsewhere. Reviewers will assess budget cuts in relation to impact on services to the community, especially to underserved and at-risk populations identified for support through the grant request.
Q. How many grants will be awarded and for how much?
A. The Fund has 1.55 million dollars and will provide grants of $20,000 for up to 77 libraries/library systems/districts.
Q. Does the library need to be an institution member of ALA, or have a staff person who is a member of ALA to be eligible for a grant?
A. No
Q. What types of libraries are eligible to apply for ALA COVID Library Relief Funds?
A. The opportunity is open to public, academic, school, tribal, and correctional libraries in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
Q. Will grants be provided to all identified library types (public, academic, school, tribal, correctional)
A: Yes, grants will be provided to all types of libraries. The number of grants for each type is not predetermined. Awards will be presented based on reviews among library type and across library types.
Q. Are private school libraries eligible to apply?
A: Yes, private school libraries are eligible to apply.
Q: Are correctional libraries eligible to apply?
A: Yes, correctional libraries are considered eligible for this grant.
Q. If I am a tribal school or community college library which application should I complete?
A: We ask that all tribal libraries, no matter if they are public, school, or academic to complete their application in the Tribal Libraries category.
Q. Can my library that has multiple branches or my school district that has multiple school libraries, submit more than one application?
A. No, there can only be one submission per library system/district. But the application can request support for one or more libraries or target audiences within your system.
Q. Can grant funds be proposed for multiple services or activities?
A. Yes, if costs allow these services to be covered within the grant award range.
Q. What are some underserved or underrepresented groups that could be target audiences?
- Historically disadvantaged racial and ethnic groups
- Students who are challenged by the coronavirus pandemic
- People without equitable information access including limited internet access.
- People who are unemployed and underemployed
- Immigrants, refugees, and new Americans
- Senior citizens
- People with disabilities
- People experiencing socioeconomic barriers
- People experiencing homelessness
- People geographically isolated
- Small businesses
Q. Who should register and fill out the grant application from my library?
It can the library director, grant coordinator, or another staff member who has been assigned on behalf of the institution. The person responsible for completing the application should be the only person to register on the application site.
If you applied last year and did not receive a grant your registration is still in the system. You just need to login in again. If you have forgotten your password just ask for an email to be sent to you.
Q. Who needs to sign the Certificate of Assurance that will be attached to the application?
Regardless of who fills out the application, the authorized representative for the library (library director, etc.); the grant coordinator (could be same as authorized representative); and a fiduciary/fiscal agent representative (city finance officer, etc.) all must sign the Certificate of Assurance and attach it in the designated attachment fields before submitting their application.
Q. Are we able to download the grant application to preview?
A. Yes. You can download a PDF version of the application for your library type to use as a reference while preparing your application.
Q. Does the application system allow me to save and return to edit?
A. Yes, you can save and return to edit as many times as you need, by clicking the 'save and close' button located at the end of each page. Please note that once you finalize and submit your application, you will not be allowed to return to edit.
Q. Can I edit my application after it has been submitted?
A. No. Applications cannot be edited after they are submitted.
Q. May applications be submitted in hard copy?
A. No. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 pm Central Time (CT) on April 21, 2022. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be reviewed. This includes the two necessary attachments: Certification of Assurance and Grant Budget.
Q. How many grants will be awarded and for how much?
A. The expectation is that 75-77 grants of $20,000 will be awarded.
Q. How will my library’s proposal be reviewed?
A. Proposals will be assessed by and awardees selected by the ALA COVID Library Relief Committee. The Committee consists of two co-chairs and seven other members representing all the library types that are eligible for funding. They have been appointed by the ALA Chapter Relations Committee.
Q. How will I be notified about the status of my application?
A. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as your application is submitted. All applicants will be notified of their award status via email by June 24, 2022.
Award Information and Grant Requirements
What can funds be requested for?
Grants are intended to help support library operations and services (in-person, virtual, mobile, outreach, etc.) Funds can be applied but are not exclusive to:
- Library staff time (direct or indirect, including benefits)
- Purchase or licensing of needed resources or collections (print and electronic)
- Technology (e.g. virtual meeting licenses, iPads, Wi-Fi hotspots, etc.)
- Equipment (for pop-up libraries, etc.)
- General library operations to extend services
Q. Are there any ineligible expenses for the grant funds?
A. No, funds can be requested to cover any needed cost of library operations toward providing the serviced and support for the target audience(s) of the grant.
Q. What will be required if my library awarded a grant?
A. The grantee will be required to submit two short interim reports on September 10 and November 10. The reports will provide updates on activities of the grant toward target audiences and records of items and materials purchased, and any other cost accounts applied to the grant. A comprehensive final report to ALA on the grant accomplishments, impact, and use of funds will be due January 20, 2023.
Q. I have additional questions about my application. Who can I contact?
A. You can also send an e-mail the ALA Chapter Relations Office at cro@ala.org or call (312) 280-3200 or toll free (800) 545-2433 x 3200
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