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. Deadline to apply is December 1, 2021.
With funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, ALA will distribute $2 million to help anchor libraries as strong humanities institutions as they emerge and rebuild from the coronavirus pandemic. The purpose of this emergency relief program is to assist libraries that have been adversely affected by the pandemic and require support to restore and sustain their core activities.
Up to 200 U.S. libraries of all types (e.g., public, tribal, K-12, academic, special, prison) and representing a broad range of communities will receive $10,000 through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process.
A free webinar to go over the application process will be held October 27 from 12-1 p.m. MDT. Register now to attend.
Selected libraries will receive:
- $10,000 to support humanities functions of the libraries.
- One print copy of Going Virtual: Programs and Insights from a Time of Crisis’ by Sarah Ostman for the ALA Public Programs Office (ALA Editions, 2021)
- Online resources and support
ALA will accept applications until December 2, 2021. Learn more and apply online.
The general goals of this ARP opportunity include to help create or preserve jobs; support or maintain general operations; create or sustain humanities programs; and implement new humanities activities or sustain existing activities. Eligible expenses include salary and benefit support for library workers engaged in humanities activities; costs related to in-person or virtual humanities programming, such as book clubs and guest lectures; and marketing and advertising to support library humanities efforts.