United for Libraries and Penguin Random House Grants to U.S. Rural and Small Libraries

(MAY 5, 2026) Penguin Random House and United for Libraries announced today the 50 recipients of a grant program serving rural and small libraries across the country, now in its second year.

The cash grants, totaling $25,000, are being awarded to support libraries in need - 20 cash grants of $1,000 and 10 cash grants of $500. Grant funds will assist Friends of Library groups, or nonprofit groups that support and fundraise for libraries in their communities, with priority projects, including summer reading programs for youth, outreach to seniors, bookmobile improvements, technology upgrades, Friends group development, and more. In addition to the cash grants awarded, 20 in-kind book donation grants of $500 are being awarded to 20 libraries to purchase Penguin Random House titles.

Grants are administered by United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, whose mission is to support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries. Grant funding is provided by Penguin Random House.

In addition to a grant of $500 or $1,000, or a book donation grant, recipients will also be awarded complimentary eLearning from United for Libraries, including a year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars which present in-depth training to library Trustees/Board Members, Friends, Foundations, advocates, and those who work with them. Recipients will also receive complimentary registration for Friends of the Library Day of the United for Libraries virtual conference (July 30, 2026), United for Libraries Friends virtual retreat (spring 2027), and access to additional on-demand webinars.

“United for Libraries is delighted to continue this very popular and useful grant program. We have heard powerful stories of Friends and library support organizations making a difference for their libraries and communities with these small grants,” said 2024-2026 United for Libraries President Deborah Doyle. “During these challenging times, we are honored to help rural and small libraries make a big impact locally using United for Libraries resources for advocacy and fundraising.”

“Public libraries are essential access points to information, opportunity, and community — especially in small and rural areas,” said Skip Dye, Senior Vice President of Library Sales and Digital Strategy at Penguin Random House. “As we enter the second year of our collaboration with United for Libraries, we’re proud to expand this program to provide both direct support and meaningful training that equips Friends groups to successfully pursue grant funding, build capacity, and sustain their long-term impact. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue investing in these communities.”

Recipients of $1,000 cash grants are:

• Friends of Harrison Township (Mich.) Public Library
• Friends of Jones Library, Dayton, Tex.
• Friends of the Ashe County Public Library, West Jefferson, N.C.
• Friends of the Columbus (Wis.) Public Library, Inc.
• Friends of the Cook (Minn.) Public Library
• Friends of the Cottage Grove (Oreg.) Public Library
• Friends of the Crittenden County Public Library, Marion, Ky.
• Friends of The Dublin (N.H.) Public Library
• Friends of the Hagerstown Jefferson Township Library, Hagerstown, Ind.
• Friends of the Libraries of Barnwell County, Barnwell, S.C.
• Friends of the Library of Howard County, Big Spring, Tex.
• Friends of the Oak Harbor (Ohio) Public Library
• Friends of the Seaford (Del.) District Library, Inc.
• Friends of the Sherman and Ruth Weiss Community Library, Hayward, Wis.
• Friends of the Wales (Mass.) Library
• Friends of Upland (Ind.) Public Library
• Moorcroft (Wyo.) Friends of The Library
• Swan Valley Elementary, Condon, Mont.
• The Friends of Carver Memorial Library, Searsport, Maine
• The Friends of the Tyrone (Pa.) Library

Recipients of $500 cash grants are:

• Friends of Chanute (Kans.) Library
• Friends of Sultan (Wash.) Library
• Friends of the Cairo (N.Y.) Public Library
• Friends of the Chittenden (Vt.) Public Library
• Friends of the Clarion (Pa.) Free Library
• Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
• Friends of the Leach Public Library, Wahpeton, N. Dak.
• Friends of the Monroe County Public Library, Monroeville, Ala.
• Friends of the Quincy (Mich.) Library
• Friends of the Villisca (Iowa) Public Library

Recipients of $500 in-kind book grants from Penguin Random House are:

• Alger (Ohio) Public Library
• Blue Mountain Community Library, Pen Argyl, Pa.
• Challis (Idaho) Public Library
• Friends of Cashmere (Wash.) Library
• Friends of Southwest La Plata Library District, Durango, Colo.
• Friends of the Ackley (Iowa) Public Library
• Friends of the Alden (Iowa) Library
• Friends of the Globe (Ariz.) Public Library
• Friends of the Graves-Hume Public Library, Mendota, Ill.
• Friends of the Lake Geneva (Wis.) Public Library
• Friends of the Lexington (Ala.) Public Library
• Friends of the Streator (Ill.) Public Library
• Friends of the Taft (Tex.) Public Library
• Friends of the Thompson Falls (Mont.) Public Library
• Friends of the Two Harbors (Minn.) Public Library
• Grand Rapids Area Library Friends, Grand Rapids, Minn.
• The Friends of the Cobleigh Library, Lyndonville, Vt.
• The Friends of the Cotuit (Mass.) Library
• Upper Perkiomen Valley Friends of the Library, Red Hill, Pa.
• William B Harlan Memorial Library Friends of the Library, Tompkinsville, Ky.