Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will offer more than $7 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries.

ALA will award two rounds of grants to be distributed over the next three years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Participating libraries will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., homebound seniors, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted populations in order to guide the improvement of the library’s services. Grantees would then use the funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.

• Meet the advisors
• Full list of funded libraries

For Applicants

Applications are currently closed. Round 3 applications will be open in Fall 2024.

• Apply now (applications closed)
  • Application Resources & Tips
• Guidelines
• Frequently Asked Questions
• View the application PDF
• Watch the Pre-Application Webinar Now (Recorded October 4, 2023)

For Grant Recipients

• Log in to your ALA Apply account
• Grant Support Materials (for grant recipients)

Free Downloads

• Download "Serving Patrons with Disabilities in Small and Rural Libraries: Practitioner's Guide"
• Download the "Accessible Conversations in Small and Rural Libraries Facilitation Guide"
• Read "Accessibility in Libraries: A Landscape Review"

Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). Questions? Contact ALA's Public Programs Office.