“In addition to direct support for a variety of services provided by Texas libraries, this grant program will increase remote access by Texans to the digital information they need for school, work, and home.”
´Tis the season for the Texas Book Festival’s annual Texas library grants. The TBF announced the forty-two 2020 recipients. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission announced the opening of the second round of CARES Act (passed by Congress to help mitigate the effects of COVID-19) library grants. Applications will be accepted between August 28 and September 20, 2020.
Texas Book Festival
The Texas Book Festival (TBF) announced forty-two Texas libraries have been awarded 2020 Texas Library Grants and expressed appreciation of the “hard work of library directors and staff for adapting to our new timeline and submission guidelines.” This year, TBF board members joined the review process and, and Texas Library Association was recognized for supporting the TBF’s efforts to grow equity for libraries and communities across Texas.
The TBF is also excited to welcome and highlight new grant recipients working to serve their communities as they navigate and persist through the current COVID-19 crisis. Since 1996, the organization has funded 1,211 grants totaling more than $3 million to more than 600 libraries in every corner of the state.
You can see the full list of forty-two grant recipients here and read about their plans for the funds.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) began accepting applications for the second CARES cycle on August 28, 2020. The TSLAC CARES Grant Program helps libraries statewide respond to COVID-19. This emergency funding comes from the federal appropriation made to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the CARES Act.
“TSLAC CARES grants will help libraries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis,” said TSLAC Director and State Librarian Mark Smith, “In addition to direct support for a variety of services provided by Texas libraries, this grant program will increase remote access by Texans to the digital information they need for school, work, and home.”
TSLAC CARES grants fund community needs identified by Texas libraries for the programs, training, and tools necessary to increase community access to vital digital technologies and services. Additionally, funds may be utilized for library initiatives that support prevention, preparation, and response to the COVID-19 emergency. This reimbursement grant program will fund operating expenditures such as library supplies and materials, technology, furniture, and contractual services.
Grant applications for TSLAC CARES Cycle 2 will be accepted starting August 28, 2020. Public and academic libraries in Texas that have identified community needs arising from or highlighted by the COVID-19 emergency are encouraged to apply. More information, including the application, is available at https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ldn/cares. The deadline to apply is September 20.
Libraries across the state can continue to access regular TSLAC training materials and courses online, and TSLAC continues to develop and make available training to help libraries address issues arising from the coronavirus. TSLAC is delivering critical digital resources to Texans through its partnership with Texas libraries. Its TexShare and TexQuest online databases provide access to e-books, journals, educational and business content, and resources for workforce development. The State Library team is also providing library professionals statewide with information on supporting communities to ensure that remote education, research, telework, telemedicine, and all aspects of learning and commerce are as robust as possible during this time.
This initial grant program represents the first $30 million of $50 million appropriated nationally in the CARES Act, of which Texas received $2.6 million. The second funding phase will be distributed to all fifty states, the District of Columbia, the U. S. territories, and the Freely Associated States, based on population.
You can see the full list of thirty-eight first-round grant recipients here and read about their plans for the funds.
The Texas Book Festival connects authors and readers through experiences that celebrate the culture of literacy, ideas, and imagination. For more information, visit www.texasbookfestival.org.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to the information they need to be informed, productive citizens by preserving the archival record of Texas; enhancing the service capacity of public, academic and school libraries; assisting public agencies in the maintenance of their records; and meeting the reading needs of Texans with disabilities. For more information, visit www.tsl.texas.gov.
