Overview

This grant is made possible by KDLA’s funding from the Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Projects must meet one of the following LSTA goals as identified in the 2023-2027 LSTA 5-Year Plan. 

• Information Access: Support the information needs of all Kentuckians by providing access to resources and public records. 
• Lifelong Learning: Assist libraries in improving services to Kentuckians that support lifelong learning, employment, and civic engagement.

This grant program is designed to support existing and new community-driven library initiatives in areas of technology or programs serving adults. Applicants must cite evidence of a legitimate library need and demonstrate how funds will be used to improved library services for Kentucky residents ages 18 years and older. The following topics are possible areas of focus that fall within the grant purposes. 

1) enable libraries to develop programs for underserved or special needs populations,

2) promote cooperative services for learning, education, and workforce development,

3) promote reading and literacy within local communities,

4) provide money for innovative adult programs and services,

5) provide access to information and special or unique holdings,

6) promote digital services and equity.

Award Information

Libraries of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Recipients will receive funding up-front to provide seed money for their projects. 

Total Award Available: $50,000 

Award Amount: up to $10,000 

Eligibility 

Legally established public libraries in Kentucky that meet all the following requirements are eligible to apply.  

KDLA’s Public Library Determination

1. All applicants must have a UEI number and SAM.gov (System for Award Management) registration. Information on how to check the status or obtain a UEI number may be found at SAM.gov | Duns - Sam UEI

2. Have a library director who is properly certified by the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians; and

3. Be in good standing with the Department for Local Government. 

Timeline

The following is a tentative timeline for this grant. 

• November 1 – January 3, 2025 Applications Open. 
• January 31, 2025 - Awards announced. Projects may begin
• August 31, 2025 Final reports and surveys due.  All funds must be spent and grant activities must be completed. 
• TBA Library Link Up Webinars to share project outcomes

Please read the full grant guidelines before applying!  2025 Special Project Grant Guidelines 

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Website Development Grant offered by the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives (KDLA). This grant is made possible by funding from the Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This project meets the 2023-2027 LSTA 5-Year Plan to provide information access by supporting the information needs of all Kentuckians. 

This grant is designed to support libraries that either lack a website or have outdated websites that require redesigns to improve accessibility and keep pace with evolving technology. Libraries should use the Kentucky Public Library Standards to guide website development and design decisions. Grant projects should result in a website with the components outlined in the 2025 Website Development Grant Guidelines.  

Award Information

Recipients will receive funding up-front to provide seed money for their projects. 

• Total Funding Available: $100,000
• Individual Award Amount: up to $8,000

Eligibility

Legally established public libraries in Kentucky that meet all the following requirements are eligible to apply.  

1. All applicants must have a current and active UEI number and SAM.gov (System for Award Management) registration. Information on how to check the status or obtain a UEI number may be found at SAM.gov | Duns - Sam UEI
2. Have a library director who is properly certified by the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians; and
3. Be in good standing with the Department for Local Government. 

Grant Timeline

The following is a tentative timeline for this grant. Changes may be made to accommodate unforeseen events or to give applicants more time to complete grant activities. 

• October 1, 2024 through December 2, 2024 - Submit applications.  KDLA recommends getting a quote for website services before submitting the application. The 2025 Website Development Grant - Vendor Information document is available to help you locate and communicate with vendors. A Quote Request Template is available to assist you with requesting quotes from vendors.  This form was made available for your convenience and is not required. 
• January 6, 2025 - Awards announced. Projects may begin
• August 31, 2025 - Final report and receipts due.  

Note: Recipients must participate in one of two Library Linkup virtual meetings scheduled for September 18, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m. EST and October 16, 2025 @ 2:00 p.m. EST to share ideas and what they learned through the process. 

Application Process

To apply for this grant, applicants must create an account with Submittable. Applicants should add the following email address to their contacts to ensure that emails do not go to Spam: notifications@email.submittable.com. For technical assistance go to the FAQ page or email the support team at support@submittable.com. 

Please read the full 2025 Website Development Grant Guidelines before applying.  
 

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the GED Testing Center Grant offered by the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives (KDLA) and Kentucky Adult Education (KYAE).  This grant supports libraries in improving services to Kentuckians that support lifelong learning, employment, early literacy and youth development, and civic engagement. 

This grant will provide funding to increase the number of Kentucky Adult Education Access Points providing GED testing throughout the Commonwealth. All libraries are encouraged to apply for this grant, however, KYAE has identified the following counties that need increased access to GED testing:

Ballard, Barren, Boone, Bullitt, Caldwell, Carlisle, Christian, Clay, Daviess, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Hardin, Harlan, Hickman, Jefferson, Kenton, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Madison, Marion, Metcalfe, Owen, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Shelby, Trigg, Warren, and Whitley.

The grant project requires that a test administrator be available to assist customers with GED testing. For small libraries, arrangements can be made where test administrators may be trained to serve several libraries. 

Award Information

Recipients will receive funding up-front to provide seed money for their projects. 

• Total Funding Available: $100,000
• Individual Award Amount: up to $5,000

Eligibility

Legally established public libraries in Kentucky that meet all the following requirements are eligible to apply.  

1. All applicants must have a current and active UEI number and SAM.gov (System for Award Management) registration. Information on how to check the status or obtain a UEI number may be found at SAM.gov | Duns - Sam UEI
2. Have a library director who is properly certified by the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians; and
3. Be in good standing with the Department for Local Government. 

Grant Timeline

• TBA - Webinar: Setting Up Your GED Test Center”
• October 1, 2024 - November 31, 2024 Submit Applications – applications will remain open during this time
• December 18th, 2024 Awards   Announced. Recipients can begin their projects. 
• June 30, 2025 The project must be completed and all funds spent. Final Report due. 

Application Process

To apply for this grant, applicants must create an account with Submittable. Applicants should add the following email address to their contacts to ensure that emails do not go to Spam: notifications@email.submittable.com. For technical assistance go to the FAQ page or email the support team at support@submittable.com. 

Please read the full 2025 GED Testing Center Grant Guidelines and view the Information Session 

before applying!

Overview

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Family Literacy Grant offered by the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives (KDLA) and Kentucky Adult Education (KYAE). Public Libraries are well-positioned to offer age-appropriate interactive literacy activities between parents, guardians, or caregivers. Literacy initiatives are part of their mission and often a backbone of the programming of libraries.

Through this grant, we aim to increase access to family literacy programs across the Commonwealth. For the purpose of this grant, “family literacy” includes reading, writing, and math instruction for caregivers and children. It also encompasses academic and parenting support for caregivers, developmentally appropriate activities for children, and structured opportunities for joint learning between caregivers and children. 

Award Information

• Total Funds Available: $100,000
• Grant amount: $5,000 

Eligibility Requirements

Legally established public libraries in Kentucky that meet all the following requirements are eligible to apply.  KDLA’s Public Library Determination_ 

• All applicants must have a current and active UEI number and SAM.gov (System for Award Management) registration. Information on how to check the status or obtain a UEI number may be found at SAM.gov | Duns - Sam UEI
• Have a public library director who is properly certified by the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians; and
• If your organization is an SPGE, be in good standing with the Department for Local Records. 

Literacy Program Guidelines

Family literacy programs should provide services that are of sufficient intensity in terms of hours, and of sufficient duration, to make sustainable changes in a family and that integrate some of the following components:

• Interactive literacy activities between caregivers and children,
• Education for caregivers in facilitating children’s learning,
• Caregiver literacy training,
• Age-appropriate education to prepare children for success in school and life experiences

Applicants are encouraged to partner with organizations in their communities such as Head Start, FRYSC, and schools to collaborate and select a curriculum to use for programs such as:

• Born Learning, Home | United Way – Born Learning
• Every Child Ready to Read Every Child Ready to Read – Read. Learn. Grow.
• Build Reading Fluency: Practice and Performance with Reader's Theater and More, 2nd Edition 

Grant Timeline

• October 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 Submit Applications – applications will remain open during this time
• December 18, 2024 Awards Announced. Recipients can begin their projects.
• June 30, 2025 The project must be completed and all funds spent. Final Report due
• November 13, 2025 Library Linkup – Live virtual meeting to share what recipients learned or present ideas. The meeting link will be emailed before the event.
• To Be Scheduled - Family Literacy Focus Groups

 Application Process

To apply for this grant, applicants must create an account with Submittable. Applicants should add the following email address to their contacts to ensure that emails do not go to Spam: notifications@email.submittable.com. For technical assistance go to the FAQ page or email the support team at support@submittable.com.
 

Please read the full 2025 Family Literacy Grant Guidelines before applying!
 

Overview: 

The 2025 Conferences Grant is made possible by funding from the Grants to States program administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This grant aligns with KDLA's five-year strategic plan to increase institutional capacity by providing funding for public library staff in Kentucky to participate in in-person job related conferences.  

Application Details 

• Applications are available from November 1, 2024, through August 30, 2025 or until funding is exhausted. 
• Libraries will submit one application per conference request

Award Information

Total Funding Available: $25,000

Award Amounts: KDLA will reimburse conference expenses for up to two staff members per library. Reimbursements are available UP TO the following amounts: 

• In-state: $1000 per person for a total of $2,000 per library
• Out-of-State Driving: $1500 per person for a total of $3,000 per library (covers conferences within driving distance of adjoining states such as OH, IN, IL, TN, or WV)
• Out-of-State Flying: $1800 per person for a total of $3,600 per library

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a legally established public library in Kentucky
• Have a current UEI number (check status at SAM.govSAM.gov | Duns - Sam UEI)
• Have a library director who is properly certified by the KY State Board for the Certification of Librarians; 
• If your organization is an SPGE, be in good standing with the Department for Local Records. 

Please read full guidelines before applying.  2025 Conferences Grant Guidelines