Apply Now: Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities

ALA Public Programs Office

Sep 11, 2025

The American Library Association invites applications from small and rural libraries for the fourth round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, which is anticipated to be the final round of funding. The initiative will offer $3.5 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

In March 2025, ALA announced 300 libraries selected for round three funding, bringing the total number of libraries to 662, representing 48 U.S. states and the Northern Mariana Islands. View the full list of grantees awarded.

Library workers may now apply online for funding from September 11, 2025, to December 11, 2025. Up to 300 libraries will be awarded in this application period.

Libraries that have been awarded in previous rounds of funding are eligible to apply. Note that prioritization will be given to applicants not previously awarded.

Interested applicants can register for a pre-application webinar on October 1, 2025 at 1:00 pm CST.

Libraries selected will receive $10,000 or $20,000 to support costs related to their community engagement project; virtual training to assist project directors in developing their community engagement, facilitation, and disability service skills; a suite of online resources developed to support local programs; and technical and project support from the ALA Public Programs Office throughout the grant term.

To see what previous LTC: Access grantees have done with grant funding, see the case study page on the ALA website.

Funding from LTC: Access has been critical to the Jarrell (Texas) Community Library and Resource Center. As library director Gregurek puts it: “The grant has been a lifesaver to us as a small library.”

Jarrell Library and Resource Center used LTC funds to start a neurodivergent playgroup. At each meeting, Katie Ware (above), picks a different topic for discussion and a different sensory activity. Running the group has not only revealed the lack of support and resources for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder but also "how scared people are to ask for help."

After receiving positive input from the community, Vinton Public Library in Iowa created a Memory Café, a widely used forum for combating the stigma and isolation that often accompany a diagnosis of dementia. Memory Cafés provide people living with dementia and their caregivers an avenue for continued social engagement, peer relationships and community connection.

With LTC funding, Beals Memorial Library in Massachusetts has held a “Sensory-Friendly Santa” program that gives those with sensory differences an opportunity to meet and speak with Santa outside of the over-stimulating environments (most notably, malls), where these events are typically held.

The Bixby Memorial Free Library in Vermont is a nationally recognized historic site. The library used some of its LTC funds to hire a local architect, who will create a comprehensive architectural plan for the entire site that addresses accessibility concerns. Patrons recognize that any architectural changes must adhere to regulations governing historic sites, but are hopeful about the prospects for long-term improvements in accessibility.

Apply now

Libraries chosen to participate in LTC: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will first conduct community input-gathering sessions to assure that their work aligns with local disability community needs. Libraries will be required to identify the primary audience they are hoping to reach (e.g., older adults with mobility disabilities, children with autism, Deaf community members) and facilitate a community conversation with the impacted patron group to guide improvement of the library’s services. Grantees will then use the grant funds to create services or improve their facilities based on the needs identified by their audience.

The opportunity is open to libraries serving small and rural communities in the U.S. and U.S. territories. To be eligible, a library must be located in an area that’s more than, or equal to, five miles from an urbanized area and with a population of 25,000 or less, in keeping with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries

Since 2014, ALA has distributed Libraries Transforming Communities funding to foster community engagement skills among library workers and support need-driven projects. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is part of ALA’s longtime commitment to preparing library workers for the expanding role of libraries. The initiative is offered in partnership with the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL). It is supported by a private donor.