Grants fund non-traditional library uses
As the role of the public library expands to include support for teens and immigrant residents, recycling programs and more, the Washington-based International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has jumped in to help. Along with the Seattle-based Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ICMA has begun offering $500,000 in Public Library Innovation grants, with individual grants ranging from $20,000 to $60,000. The money can be used to develop new library programs that deliver services in areas such as public safety, disaster preparedness, sustainability, health, immigration, civic engagement and economic development. The grants must be anchored by a partnership between the city or county’s chief administrative officer and the public library. For more information, applications, guidelines and a budget template, visit www.icma.org/publiclibrarygrants.