Date posted: Thursday, December 1, 2022
Deadline for Submission: February 1, 2023 by 11:59 pm (CST) (applications now closed for the 2022-2023 cycle)
Award Notification Date: March 15, 2023
Apply online via ALA's grants management platform
Questions?
Before starting, read the grant FAQ and carefully review the requirements below.
Contact the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office staff at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org.
Table of Contents
- Grant Description
- Eligibility
- Award Information
- Requirements
- Eligible Expenses
- Application and Submission Information
- Application Review
- Grant Administration Information
- Points of Contact
Grant Description
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually 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 2022–2023 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant to support programming related to increasing access for groups that are identified as underserved or for new library users in the community. Some example proposals could include: 1) a program to increase access to library resources for homebound seniors, 2) a program that builds kits for patrons re-entering society so they can more easily learn about and access local resources, or 3) a program focused on media literacy that helps people learn how to access accurate and important information. Proposed programs may occur in a virtual, hybrid, or in-person format at your library. To apply, libraries should submit proposals outlining their plans for using the grant to continue existing and/or create new programming focused on increasing access for the community.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have a membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.
- This opportunity is open to all types of libraries in the U.S. and U.S. territories.
- Only complete and eligible applications that are received by the deadline will be reviewed.
Award Information
Up to three libraries will be selected to receive $2,500 to advance their proposed programming. The grant period may be one to two years in length.
Requirements
The selected libraries make the following commitments:
- Appoint one staff member as the project director of the project.
- Carry out evaluation and measure outcomes of the project.
- Submit any significant variance to proposed plans in writing to ALA.
- Submit a comprehensive final report to ALA with project accomplishments, evaluation findings, outcomes, and use of funds within 30 days of the project end date.
- Present the project either as a webinar or written program model for ProgrammingLibrarian.org, a website of ALA’s Public Programs Office.
Eligible Expenses
Peggy Barber Tribute Grant funds are restricted to program related expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Program supplies
- Promotion and publicity
- Purchase of collection materials
- Library staff time
- Payment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g. presenters, childcare providers, translators, instructors, co-facilitator, etc.)
Grant funds may not be used to support indirect costs (e.g., general library administrative expenses) or as donations to other organizations.
Application and Submission Information
ALA will accept applications for the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant beginning December 1, 2022, and ending on February 1, 2023, at 11:59 pm (CST). Applications for the 2022-2023 cycle are now closed. The next round of applications will open in December 2023. To receive notice of this and other grant opportunities, please subscribe to our Programming Librarian e-newsletter.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before applying.
Getting Started
To submit a proposal, go to the online application form and complete the following steps. If this is your first time submitting an application through our grants management system, you may want to first review our How to Apply webpage. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call 312.280.5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support. You can preview the application by downloading a PDF of it here.
To apply for a Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, you must complete the following steps:
- ENTER OPPORTUNITY TITLE AND PROJECT NAME
- COMPLETE PROJECT DIRECTOR INFORMATION
- COMPLETE LIBRARY INFORMATION
- WRITE GRANT NARRATIVE
- UPLOAD SUPPORTING MATERIALS
- SIGN APPLICATION BY AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL
- REVIEW AND EDIT YOUR APPLICATION
- SUBMIT APPLICATION
1. Enter Opportunity Title and Project Name
To begin your application, enter PBTG23 into the “Opportunity Title” field.
Enter a title for your proposed program in the "Project Name" field.
2. Complete Project Director Information
To complete this section, provide all the information that is requested about the Project Director.
Note: The project director is the person who will be responsible for coordinating the entire proposed project. They will be the primary point of contact for the project at the applicant institution.
3. Complete Library Information
To complete this section, provide all the information about the applying library, including type, total population served, and community type. Also indicate the association(s) you or the library are members of and provide your ID number.
4. Write Grant Narratives
Each narrative response should be 500 words or less. Before you compose the narrative part of this application, we strongly recommend that you read these guidelines. If you do not, your application is unlikely to be competitive.
- Community and Library Information. Describe your library and the community it serves, including demographics, dynamics, and key issues or challenges it faces. Why does your library need this grant to maintain existing or create new programming focused on increasing access for groups identified as underserved or for new library users in your community? What should reviewers know about your library and community in order to understand your proposed project?
- Project Description. Describe in detail the proposed programming that you will use the grant for. How does your program increase access for groups identified as underserved or for new library users in your community? What topic(s) will the program or program series focus on? Who is the target audience? How will the program be conducted? What activities will occur?
- Project Goals. Describe the library’s goals or the purpose of your proposed programming. What are you aiming to accomplish?
- Evaluation Plan. Describe your evaluation plan for the project. How do you plan to measure success? (For help creating an outcomes-based evaluation plan, please refer to the Institute for Museum and Library Services' Outcome Based Evaluations guide and the Public Library Association's Project Outcome tool.)
- Budget. Describe your plans for the grant funds. What will you use the funding to purchase or support? The total amount of your proposed budget plan should add up to $2,500.
5. Upload Supporting Materials
5a. Upload Letters of Support - OPTIONAL
Upload letters of support from any other organizations or individuals that are in favor of your project. This may include letters of support from the library’s friends’ group, library board members, civic leaders, community partners, etc.
5b. Upload Attachments - OPTIONAL
Upload any additional materials that support your proposed project. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Photographs
- Presentation slides
- Posters
- Newsletter articles
- Program flyers
6. Sign Application by Authorized Official
An application for a Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an application for a grant from ALA, using funding from the Cultural Communities Fund. ALA is required to ask applicants to identify a certifying official who is authorized to submit applications for funding on behalf of the institution.
To complete this section, you must enter all information that is requested.
7. Review and Edit Your Application
8. Submit Your Application
Once you have completed all parts of your application, you may submit it by selecting the Submit button. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm CST on February 1, 2023. Applications submitted after that time will be ineligible.
Note that once you have submitted your application, you can no longer alter it. The application will then be submitted for review. You will receive an email confirming submission of your application.
Application Review
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- Evidence that the library needs funding to continue or create programming focused on increasing access for groups that are identified as underserved or for new library users in the community
- The coherence of the application and overall impression it gives of the library being able to carry out the project effectively
- Excellence, appeal, meaningfulness, and innovation of the proposed project
- Clarity and completeness of the application
Applicants are encouraged to address questions about the selection guidelines, process, and requirements to the ALA Public Programs Office at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org.
Review and Selection Process
Each application will be assessed by the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant selection committee. The committee consists of a chair and four ALA members appointed by the Public and Cultural Programs Advisory Committee (PCPAC). Final award decisions will be made by the grant selection committee.
Grant Administration Information
Application deadline: February 1, 2023 (applications now closed for the 2022-2023 cycle)
Award Notification: March 15, 2023
Grants distributed by: April 30, 2023
Project Start Date: May 1, 2023
Project End Date: April 30, 2024 OR April 30, 2025
Final Report Due: Within 30 days of project completion
Point of Contact
If you have questions, contact
Public Programs Office
American Library Association
1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045
publicprograms@ala.org
Next Section: Frequently Asked Questions