The American Library Association this week invited libraries to apply for Covid-19 relief funding through its American Rescue Plan: Humanities Grants for Libraries.
Under the program, up to 200 U.S. libraries of all types (public, tribal, K-12, academic, special, prison) will receive $10,000 through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process. The program is supported with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) through the American Rescue Plan Act to “assist libraries that have been adversely affected by the pandemic and require support to restore and sustain their core activities.”
ALA will accept applications through December 2, 2021. Interested librarians can learn more and apply online here. Further, librarians can register for a free webinar to learn about the application process.
The general goals of program are 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.
“ALA is deeply grateful to the NEH for recognizing libraries’ unique importance as incubators for the humanities and providing this funding to help libraries meet our communities’ cultural needs,” said ALA President Patty Wong, in a statement. “Libraries have the potential and unique position to help Americans realize their highest visions of themselves — to think critically and ask big questions about the world and our place in it.”
