Three Libraries Awarded ALA’s 2025 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant for Programs for Isolated Older Adults

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded its 2025 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader, to Falls City (Neb.) Library & Arts Center, Hartford (Mich) Public Library and Pottsboro (Texas) Library.

The $2,500 grant, open to public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries, supports meaningful programs in libraries with limited programming budgets. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant supports a different type of library programming each year. Applicants for the 2025 grant proposed programming related to combatting isolation for older adults.

Falls City Library & Arts Center in Nebraska will start offering weekly special offerings to older adults called Senior Socials. In a rural town of approximately 4,100 people, nearly 25% are over 65. Using the grant, the library will implement weekly senior programs, such as continuing its existing craft program and adding events like chair yoga, classic movie showings and special speakers, all to create a space for seniors to gather and socialize consistently.

Hartford Public Library in Michigan will start incorporating prizes such as non-perishable food and household and personal care products at senior bingo events. The library will also use grant funds to sponsor physical programs for older adults, such as Tai Chi, chair yoga and cardio drumming. The library aims to create more senior events focusing on keeping older adults physically and socially active.

Share & Learn at Pottsboro Library in Texas is a community-driven program designed to combat social isolation among older adults and foster community connections by sharing practical skills, knowledge and creativity. Seniors are invited to take on the role of presenter by sharing valuable skills and life experiences with others to help preserve knowledge and boost self-confidence. The program will promote community bonding and celebrate older adults as knowledge contributors.

“The committee of the 2025 Peggy Barber Award was amazed by the number of library applicants passionate about helping isolated older adults,” said Tyler Hahn, committee chair and director of Cherokee (Iowa) Public Library. “The three winning libraries stood out from the impressive group of applications because of their previous and continued commitment to working with and for seniors in their community. The selection committee congratulates the winners, and we look forward to the outcomes of the proposed projects.”

“Libraries are vital resources that can play a critical role in helping older adults connect with each other and their communities,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “We congratulate the winning libraries in Nebraska, Michigan and Texas for innovatively engaging older adults to reduce social isolation and support their health and well-being.”

The 2025 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is generously supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. A leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Learn more at www.johnahartford.org.

Margaret "Peggy" Barber was a transformative leader in ALA and the library field who was behind the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series. The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant was created with donations from Barber’s friends and colleagues. To support the grant, make a contribution to the Peggy Barber tribute fund within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.

To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.

About the ALA Public Programs Office

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office empowers libraries to create vibrant hubs of learning, conversation, and connection in communities of all types.

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association (ALA) is the only non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated entirely to America's libraries and library professionals. For almost 150 years, ALA has provided resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. The ALA serves academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.