2026 Library Improvement Grants

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In 2026, 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 2026 grants, watch the recording of the NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2026. (1 hour, 21 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 19, 2025 and will be accepted through 11:59 PM (CT) on November 14, 2025.

Recipients will be announced by December 31, 2025.

Purchases made after September 19, 2025 are eligible for reimbursement. Grant funds must be requested no later than August 15, 2026, and expended by September 30, 2026.
 
The final completion report and copies of all final paid invoices for purchases made with the Library Improvement Grant funds must be submitted to NLC no later than November 1, 2026. 

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.;
• “Entertainment” for a program that is not educational in nature;
• Give-away or promotional items – key chains, refrigerator magnets, T-shirts, mugs, pens, etc.;
• 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.”

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 no later than November 1, 2026.

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.
  
• 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 2026 Application - opened September 19, 2025. Deadline to submit: November 14, 2025.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

For questions, contact Christa Porter, Library Development Director.

Grant Recipients Database