Public Programs Office (PPO)

Libraries Transforming Communities to distribute more than $7 million in grants to support small and rural library accessibility efforts, call for Grant Advisor RFPs now open

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that its Libraries Transforming Communities project will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

ALA announces 200 U.S. libraries to receive American Rescue Plan humanities funding

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) has awarded $2 million in humanities funding to libraries nationwide, part of a grantmaking program to deliver relief to libraries recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the libraries will use funds to anchor themselves as strong humanities institutions and vibrant centers of learning, conversation and connection.

School librarians invited to apply for $5,000 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award

CHICAGO — School librarians are invited to apply for a $5,000 award recognizing outstanding humanities programming in kindergarten through eighth grade, the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office announced.

Nominations for the 2022 Sara Jaffarian School Library Program Award will be accepted until May 5, 2022. In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on programming, submissions of virtual programs are highly encouraged.

Twenty-five libraries selected for Let’s Talk About It: Women’s Suffrage humanities discussion project

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce 25 libraries selected to participate in Let’s Talk About It (LTAI): Women’s Suffrage, a grant designed to spark conversations about American history and culture through an examination of the women’s suffrage movement.

Libraries invited to apply for programming support with the second annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the second annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series.

ALA invites applications for third annual Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, an annual award supporting innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries.

Applications will be accepted between December 1, 2021, and February 1, 2022. View the full award guidelines and apply online at www.ala.org/LTCEG.

ALA, FINRA Foundation to distribute inclusive financial literacy kits to 100 public and school libraries

One hundred public and school libraries will receive free books and resources through an effort to distribute diverse and inclusive financial literacy resources for children and young people. The giveaway is offered by the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation).

Library workers are invited to apply online to receive one of the kits for their library. Applications will be accepted until January 3, 2022.

ALA to distribute $2 million in humanities funding to libraries as part of NEH American Rescue Plan

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) invites libraries to apply for funding through its American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries opportunity, a grantmaking program to deliver relief to libraries recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.

Deb Robertson announces retirement as ALA Public Programs Office director

Deb Robertson, founding director of the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, will retire from the organization on October 8, 2021, after nearly 40 years of service.