The ALA is now accepting applications for their Libraries Transforming Communities grant program for small and rural libraries. Applications are open until March 4, and ALA is hoping to see more applications from the West Coast. The grant has a very simple application and very minimal reporting requirements, and public, academic, and school libraries are all eligible to apply.
To apply, a library must either serve a population of 25,000 or less (small) or be more than 5 miles from an urbanized area of 25,000 or more (rural).
If a library is awarded the grant, a staff member (or multiple) takes part in an online course designed for small and rural libraries on holding a community conversation, and that the library agrees to host one community conversation, which can be virtual, using the model. The grant provides access to the training and $3000 to spend on something related to the conversation -- and that could be ANYTHING, from staff time to books to a Zoom license to hotspots to circulate to a traveling makerspace kit... literally anything. This is a great opportunity to fund a purchase and fill community needs.
To apply, or for more info see: http://www.ala.org/tools/
Hopefully we'll have some Cache Valley libraries take part in this great program!
