Children’s Book Grants for Rural Libraries

Posted by on May 6, 2006

[posted from RFP Bulletin]

Libri Foundation Offers Children’s Book Grants for Rural Libraries
Deadline: July 15, 2006

The Libri Foundation (<a href="http://www.librifoundation.org/">http://www.librifoundation.org/</a>) was established for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries in the U.S. acquire new, quality, hardcover children’s books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Since 1990, the foundation has donated more than $2.8 million worth of new children’s books to over 2,200 libraries in 48 states.

The foundation works with an applicant library’s Friends of the Library or other local organizations and seeks to encourage and reward local support of libraries. The Friends, or other local sponsors, can contribute from $50 to $350, which the foundation matches on a two-to-one ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of books through the foundation’s Books for Children program.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children’s department. Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least thirty miles from a city with a population of 40,000 or more.

Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system. Applications are accepted from school libraries only if they also serve as the local public library.

The foundation awards grants three times a year. The next deadline is July 15, 2006. Complete program guidelines, eligibility information, and application forms are available at the Libri Foundation Web site.

RFP Link: <a href="http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10002208/libri">http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10002208/libri</a>

For additional RFPs in Education, visit: <a href="http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_education.jhtml">http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_education.jhtml</a>