Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant is an annual grant to recognize, promote, and support innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students, or local organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.

Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a community engagement project with a specific theme. For the 2024-2025 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a community engagement project that focuses on building neighborhood connections.

Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to):

1. a project that brings people together to discuss developing community tools such as "how to start a block party";
2. a program that collaborates with a local partner to host heritage or multicultural events;
3. projects that develop community identity by exploring local history through archives;

Libraries should work collaboratively with community members and at least one partner organization to develop a project that addresses a local issue and builds upon community assets. Please note that, while projects should be community-driven, they must be spearheaded by the library.

Libraries are invited to apply by designing and outlining a library-led community engagement project focused on community empowerment. Project activities may include:

• Developing direct, sustained, and innovative community engagement programs and services
• Executing a relevant and creative community engagement program or event
• Partnering with a community organization that builds the capacity of the community for this work
• Creating and publishing educational or promotional materials for the greater library community and/or presenting an innovative model program at conferences

As you develop your proposal, please note that projects with the following qualities will be prioritized:

• Innovative: How is your proposed project innovative? Think beyond book clubs/discussions as to how the library can creatively and meaningfully engage members of the community in exploring the proposed topic.
• Community-driven: The community empowerment topic you choose to focus on should be reflective of local needs/interests and the project you design should be developed with community input and buy-in. Strong, detailed letters of support are encouraged to demonstrate the involvement and interest of community members/organizations and the relevance of the project to the community.

ALA announced the creation of the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant in 2019, an initiative made possible by a matching grant and ongoing support from former ALA president and longtime generous supporter Nancy Kranich.