Peggy Barber Tribute Grant
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant of the American Library Association (ALA) that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming.
The grant, named after the late library leader Peggy Barber, aims to help ease library budget challenges by awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.
Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2025–2026 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications to support programming related to strengthening community ties through libraries as third spaces. As one of the few remaining “third spaces”—public spaces where individuals can gather outside their homes or workplaces—libraries are uniquely positioned to bring people together and strengthen communities. Some example proposals could include (but are not limited to): an intergenerational gardening program, a program series engaging adults in play-based programming, or a visual arts performance at the library in partnership with a local theater group. Please include how your proposed program will bring people in your community together, how your program will foster connection amongst participants, and how the program can help folks share space with other people in the community.
Applications for the 2025-2026 cycle are now open through February 2, 2026.
- Apply online
- Read the grant guidelines
- Review the frequently asked questions
- Master Grant Writing: 11 Tips for Success [PDF]
- Webinar: Tips for Getting an ALA Grant
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. Read Library Journal's tribute.
After she passed away in September 2019, Barber's friends and colleagues created the Peggy Barber Tribute Fund within ALA's Cultural Communities Fund, which recognizes and funds outstanding cultural programming in libraries. These generous supporters have made this annual grant possible.
Make a donation to support the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant.
Past winners
- 2025: Falls City (Neb.) Library & Arts Center, Hartford (Mich.) Public Library and Pottsboro (Texas) Library (Read ALA's press release announcing the winners of the 2025 grant)
- 2024: Library System of Bradford County (New Albany, Penn.), Danbury (Conn.) Public Library and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) (Read ALA's press release announcing the winners of the 2024 grant)
- 2023: Brookings (S.D.) Public Library, Gill Memorial Library (Paulsboro, N.J.) and Mount Kisco (N.Y.) Public Library. (Read ALA's press release announcing the winners of the 2023 grant)
- 2022: Aztlán Center at Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo Library, Highgate (Vt.) Library and Community Center, Udall (Kan.) Public Library. (Read ALA's press release announcing the winners of the 2022 grant)
- 2021: Harrison (N.Y.) Public Library, Montana Department of Corrections’ Library, West Liberty (Iowa) Library (Read ALA's press release announcing the winners of the 2021 grant)
