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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ALA COVID Library Relief Fund Grants for 2022</b><br>
<br>
The American Library Association (ALA) will make available <b>$1.55M</b> in emergency relief grants to more than <b>75 libraries</b> this year that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The<a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund" target="_blank" title="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund"> ALA
COVID Library Relief Fund</a> invites public, school, academic, tribal, and correctional libraries across the United States and US Territories to apply for grants of <b>$20,000.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund continues to represent some of the most significant grant opportunities available to libraries outside of federal funding. 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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://libraryrelief.grantplatform.com/" target="_blank" title="https://libraryrelief.grantplatform.com/">APPLICATIONS</a> are accepted online through <b>April 21, 2022 </b>(11:59PM Central Time)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">-------------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>ALA COVID Library Relief Fund – Application Information Webinar</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are interested in applying for a grant for your library, we invite you to this free one-hour information session on the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund application. We will highlight the fund, the application process, and respond to
questions you might have. <i>This webinar will take place on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at 2:00 PM Central Time.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8lyyBWj7QL2v6IvKkZCHzQ" target="_blank" title="https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8lyyBWj7QL2v6IvKkZCHzQ">Register</a> to attend this informational webinar. If unable to
attend, this webinar will be recorded and sent out to all registrants.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">----------------------------------------<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund%C2%A0-guidelines" target="_blank" title="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund%C2%A0-guidelines">GUIDELINES</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund-frequently-asked-questions" target="_blank" title="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund-frequently-asked-questions">ALA COVID Library Relief Fund
- Frequently Asked Questions</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"This new round of grants will help to support libraries at a time when they are displaying extraordinary ingenuity and determination in creating new materials, programs, and service delivery models – and all too often doing so with limited
budgets," said ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall. "Over the last two years of the pandemic, we have worked hard as an association to raise the visibility of the vital and unduplicated work of libraries and library workers, especially in communities where
the need is greatest."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund is generously supported by Acton Family Giving as part of its pandemic responsive grantmaking.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">"Libraries have faced daunting challenges throughout the pandemic," said ALA President Patricia "Patty" Wong. "In a time when communities depend on their services, many libraries have suffered the impact of cuts that have significantly
impair their ability to provide resources at this critical moment of recovery. We are so grateful to Acton Family Giving for their tremendous support, which will enable our treasured institutions to emerge more robust than ever."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In 2021 $1.25 was <a href="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund-grantees" target="_blank" title="https://www.ala.org/aboutala/ala-covid-library-relief-fund-grantees">granted to 34 libraries</a>. More than 300 libraries
applied for grants in 2021.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">ALA's Chapter Relations Office administers the ALA COVID Library Emergency Relief Fund. For more information and questions please email <a href="mailto:cro@ala.org" target="_blank" title="mailto:cro@ala.org">cro@ala.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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