(via the American Library Association)<\/p>\n
The American Library Association (ALA) will make available\u00a0$1.55M<\/strong>\u00a0in emergency relief grants to more than\u00a075 libraries\u00a0<\/strong>this year that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The\u00a0ALA COVID Library Relief Fund<\/a>\u00a0invites\u00a0public, school, academic, tribal, and correctional libraries across the United States and US Territories to apply for grants of\u00a0$20,000<\/strong>.<\/p>\n These funds are intended to bolster library operations and services including broadening technology access, developing collections, providing digital instruction, staffing, and expanding outreach, as well as maintaining and amplifying existing service strategies or adding new ones to extend impact through the end of 2022.<\/p>\n Funds will support libraries’ ability to provide their users with the information services and digital access they need to retain or secure socio-economic mobility during a time of shift and upheaval. Libraries serving low income and rural communities, or communities that are predominately Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and People of Color, are especially encouraged to apply.<\/p>\n The deadline to apply is\u00a0Thursday, April 21, at 11:59 PM CDT<\/strong>. To access the application, please go here<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are interested in applying for a grant for your library, we invite you to a\u00a0free one-hour information session on the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund application. The webinar will take place on\u00a0Thursday, March 24, at 2:00 PM CDT<\/strong>.\u00a0We will highlight the fund, the application process, and respond to questions you might have.<\/p>\n To register for the webinar, please go here<\/a>. This webinar will be recorded and sent out to all registrants, in case anyone is unable to attend.<\/p>\n