2025 Library Improvement Grants

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In 2025, the Nebraska Library Commission will award grant funds to libraries through a competitive grant process. Funding for the grants is supported with state funds allocated through the Nebraska Legislature and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission. 

To learn more about the 2025 grants, watch the recording of the September 25, 2024 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2025 (1 hour, 32 minutes).

PROGRAM GOALS

The purpose of the Library Improvement Grants is to facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with state funds designated for these purposes.

Applicant projects are encouaged to meet one or more of the following purposes:

• Facilitate access to resources . . . for the purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry;
  
• Encourage resource sharing among . . . libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public;
  
• Promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance and expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including those services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st century skills, and digital literacy skills;
  
• Ensure the preservation of knowledge and library collections in all formats and to enable libraries to serve their communities during disasters;
  
• Promote library services that provide users with access to information through national, state, local, regional, and international collaborations and networks.

ELIGIBLE ENTITIES

• Accredited Nebraska public libraries
• Identified institutional libraries

Other organizations can partner with an eligible entity for purposes of submitting a grant application for a collaborative project.

DEADLINES/TIMETABLES

Online applications opened on September 20, 2024 and will be accepted through 11:59 PM (CT) on November 15, 2024.

Recipients will be announced by December 31, 2024.

Purchases made after September 20, 2024 are eligible for reimbursement. Grant funds must be requested no later than August 15, 2025, and expended by September 30, 2025.
 
The final completion report must be submitted to NLC no later than November 1, 2025. 

INELIGIBLE COSTS

• Food and beverages for workshops, meetings, or open houses;
• Sales tax. Per Nebraska Revised Statute § 77-2704.15 and Nebraska Department of Revenue Reg-1-093, Governmental Units, governmental units in Nebraska are exempt from sales and use tax - this includes municipal (Reg-1-093.04A), county (Reg-1-093.04B), and township (Reg-1-093.04B) libraries. The exempt library must give its seller a Nebraska Resale or Exempt Sale Certificate, Form 13, as proof of its exempt status.;
• Construction/remodel costs (See Notes on Construction/Installation Costs below);
• “Entertainment” for a program that is not educational in nature;
• Give-away or promotional items – key chains, refrigerator magnets, T-shirts, mugs, pens, etc.;
• No built-in furniture (shelving, for example) may be purchased. All equipment purchased must be movable/non-fixed;
• Advocacy, lobbying and “influencing” related to a yes/no vote;
• Social activities, alcoholic beverages and entertainment costs (e.g., tickets and travel to shows or sporting events); and
• Public relations or advertising of general library services — although you may and are encouraged to do public relations for specific services or programs you are providing using grant funds. Examples: Not allowed: “Come to the library, it’s a great place to learn.” Allowed: “Come to the library’s information literacy program and learn how to search the databases provided with NLC Grant funds.”

NOTES ON CONSTRUCTION / INSTALLATION COSTS

Anything that is permanently affixed to the building structure and not removeable are capital improvements and are generally not allowable expenses. Projects that involve outside contractors or construction trades to come in to do installation are not allowable expenses. If the 'installation' is paid for from another source or completed with volunteers, the entire project is still an unallowable cost.

The grant does allow for 'construction-lite.' If installation can be done by library/village staff with minimal tools (e.g. drill and screwdriver), then that would be an allowable cost/project.

For example, if installing security cameras requires rewiring done by electricians, or Ethernet cables to be run, the entire project is unallowable. But, if the security cameras use wi-fi and just need to be screwed into the wall by library/village staff, then they are allowable (e.g Wyze or Ring cameras).

Also, if installation can be its own project, and the items are not dependent on the installation, then the items are allowable. For example, a project to create an outdoor patio space: installing the pavers, pouring the concrete, etc.: not allowable. But, the tables/chairs/pergola etc. that will sit on the patio, and are free-standing / moveable / 'construction-lite': allowable cost.

REPORTING ON AWARDS

Final reports should include any outputs (if available, how many people attended, how many items purchased, etc.), but also address how the project has achieved its intended outcomes, or the impact of the project on the community.

Copies of all final paid invoices for purchases made with the Library Improvement Grant funds must be submitted to complete the grant. Invoices should be sent to Christa Porter at NLC via email, fax, or postal mail.

Qualitative evidence of the project’s impact, such as photos and stories from customers and staff, should be provided if available.

REQUIREMENTS/GUIDELINES

• Grants require at least a local match of twenty-five percent (25%) of the total project amount. At least 10% must be a cash match. The remaining 15% of the local match can be in-kind costs and/or additional cash.
  
• Libraries should still be supported through consistent local government funding. These payments are not intended to replace local funds for the library, but are granted to provide for enhanced services over and above those provided through local funding. Libraries should be aware that continued local support is an essential component of state aid eligibility, as well as maintenance of effort requirements for state aid.
• CIPA COMPLIANCE: Projects which provide access to the Internet require compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA); this means Internet access must be filtered. CIPA compliance is required when using these grant funds to purchase internet access or any device that provides access to the internet, such as: desktop, laptop, and tablet computers; hotspots and pre-paid service plans; WiFi routers; network boosters; WiFi access points, extenders, and repeaters; WiFi kiosks (to bring the WiFi to public spaces outside the library); and WiFi-enabled charging station for devices.
  
  • The NLC offers a DNS filtering solution to Nebraska's public libraries, providing the Internet filtering technology required for CIPA compliance. The NLC will cover the expense of this service and assist with its implementation.
  • For information on CIPA, see the NLC's CIPA & Filtering page. For specific questions, contact Christa Porter, State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries.
  • For grant proposals involving access to the Internet or Internet-related projects, libraries must provide an Internet Safety Certification, which is included in the Library Improvement Grant application.
    
• Grant recipients must meet all requirements outlined in the grant award documents.
• All grant recipients are required to acknowledge the State of Nebraska and the Nebraska Library Commission when undertaking and promoting grant-supported activities. Any announcements, public relations pieces, or other communication about the project must use the following statement: "This program is sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission and funded in part with state funds allocated through the Nebraska Legislature."

FORMS

Library Improvement Grant 2025 Application - opened September 20, 2024. Deadline to submit: November 15, 2024.

Library Improvement Grant 2025 Completion Report - due November 1, 2025.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions, contact Christa Porter, Library Development Director.

Grant Recipients Database