American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Grants for New Jersey Public Libraries

NJSL has allocated $1,800,000 for competitive grants to public libraries. Through an American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, NJSL made this funding available to New Jersey public libraries for the purpose of helping communities respond directly and immediately to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as address related economic and community needs through equitable approaches.  Grant application period closed on July 30, 2021.
Two levels of funding were available:
  • Mini-Grants ranged from $5,000 to $25,000
  • Major grants ranged from $25,001 to $100,000

Spending priorities included: supporting digital inclusion efforts to enable libraries to reach residents such as through internet hotspots, accessible Wi-Fi, and digital content and related resources, particularly in support of education, health, and workforce development needs; and supporting library services that meet the needs of communities, including costs such as personnel, technology, training, materials, supplies, equipment, and associated indirect costs. To better support high need communities, NJSL used the 2020 MRI to identify communities of high need. If the library applicant was in a high need area, as identified by the MRI, NJSL additionally awarded bonus points.

Click here to view the full list of library grantees and their plans for the funds.

 

This opportunity is made possible in in part with funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library, award number LS-250226-OLS-21.