The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.
Applications for the award will be accepted from December 3, 2024, to February 3, 2025. Read the grant guidelines and apply online.
Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2024–2025 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for programming related to combatting isolation for older adults.
Example proposals can include a program to teach seniors how to use technology so that they can stay connected online or a social club to bring adults together around an activity like crafting or gardening.
All library types — including public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries — in the U.S. or U.S. territories are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.
Last year’s winners of the Peggy Barber Tribute Grant were the Library System of Bradford County (New Albany, Penn.), Danbury (Conn.) Public Library and Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries (Mount Pleasant, Mich.) The awarded library programs focused on civic education.
Peggy Barber served as ALA's associate executive director of communications from 1970 to 2000. In that role, she established ALA’s Public Information Office, Public Programs Office and the ALA Graphics department. After leaving ALA, she was a principal consultant with Library Communication Strategies and served as co-president of Friends of Libraries USA, now known as United for Libraries. She passed away in August 2019.
The 2025 Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is generously supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. A leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. Learn more at www.johnahartford.org.
The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant was created with donations from Barber’s friends and colleagues. To support the grant, make a contribution to the Peggy Barber tribute fund within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.
To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.
