Best Library Grants in Louisiana

Louisiana library and NNLM Network Member institutions seeking professional development in health information and data science can use this award to fund virtual conferences, classes, or workshops. The National Library of Medicine supports individuals and organizations with up to US $2,000 to strengthen health information access, health literacy, and services for underrepresented communities.

Louisiana library and health information professionals seeking professional development in health information access, data science, or library services can receive support to attend seminars, conferences, or workshops. National Library of Medicine’s NNLM Region 3 Professional Development Award offers up to US $2,000 for individuals or member institutions to build capacity serving underrepresented and underserved communities.

Louisiana libraries and NNLM network members conducting health information outreach or exhibits can apply for National Library of Medicine support, with awards of US $2,000. Funding can promote NLM and NNLM resources, advance health literacy and digital access, and support DEI-focused educational activities for underrepresented and underserved communities.

Louisiana K-12 public schools with existing libraries that suffered significant library damage from recent disasters can access funding through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation to rebuild collections and equipment. Eligible schools must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store or distribution center and apply within 36 months of the qualifying event.

Louisiana library and literacy-focused 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000 for programs in eligible rail-served communities. Projects may support library services, youth development, community vitality, safety education, workforce readiness, or environmental education while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Louisiana libraries and other eligible organizations offering adult basic education, GED preparation, or English language acquisition can receive up to US $10,000 to expand direct literacy services. Focused on adult education, Dollar General Literacy Foundation invites applicants located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and listed in the National Literacy Directory.

Louisiana libraries and other eligible literacy-focused organizations can receive up to US $10,000 to support family literacy programs that include adult education, children’s education, and Parent and Child Together Time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, colleges, universities, and public libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store in participating states.

Louisiana libraries, schools, and nonprofits running literacy programs for Pre-K–12 readers can access funding through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Summer Reading Grants, offering up to US $3,000 to create or expand summer reading programs. Eligible applicants must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and in a state where it operates.

Schools, public libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Louisiana can receive up to US $5,000 to support K–12 students struggling with reading. Dollar General Literacy Foundation funds new or expanded youth literacy programs, as well as technology, books, materials, or software that strengthen library and school-based literacy services.

The National Home Library Foundation Grant supports nonprofits in distributing books and reading materials to libraries and community groups with limited resources. This initiative aims to promote literacy and combat illiteracy among all ages through various programs. Grants are available only to tax-exempt organizations that adhere to non-discrimination policies. Preference is given to requests from the Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, with applications considered on a rolling basis.

Certified public school librarians in the U.S. who have led “Strong School Libraries” marketing campaigns can receive US $1,000 travel stipends to the AASL National Conference. Offered by the American Library Association, this opportunity may benefit Louisiana school librarians seeking support to showcase and expand their library advocacy work.

Louisiana library scholars needing access to major East Asian collections can receive Harvard University’s Harvard-Yenching Library Travel Grant funding for research trips. Eligible applicants include non-tenured faculty, dissertation-stage Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars. Awards of US $2,000 support travel to use Harvard-Yenching Library resources, with priority for institutions lacking strong East Asian language collections.

Louisiana rural public libraries rebuilding children’s collections after natural disasters can access funding through the Pilcrow Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant, receiving US $800 in in-kind hardcover children’s books. Eligible libraries must be in disaster-affected rural areas of the U.S., have limited operating budgets, and plan to restore active children’s departments.

Libraries, library associations, and information science programs creating reading lists, webliographies, indexes, or other library guides for U.S. users can seek up to US $5,000 to cover research and preparation costs. With a mission to strengthen library services, American Library Association provides Louisiana library projects with support for nationally distributed, broadly useful bibliographic tools.

Focused on library services, the American Library Association invites Louisiana librarians who work with teens to seek support for first-time attendance at the ALA Annual Conference. Current ALA/YALSA personal members with one to ten years’ experience can receive US $1,000, with one award for a school librarian and one for a public librarian.

Black/African American youth or teen services public or school librarians in the U.S., including those serving Louisiana, can receive up to US $3,000 for travel to the ALA Annual Conference. With a mission to support library professionals, American Library Association provides funding for travel, housing, registration, and the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast ticket.

Library staff at NNLM member organizations in Louisiana who hold CHIS Level 1 or 2 can apply for National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s US $300 professional development award to deliver consumer health information classes. Funding supports rural and small libraries in teaching NNLM CHIS courses and strengthening community access to trustworthy health information.

Louisiana library and archives organizations planning workforce development, training, or education initiatives can access funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian planning grants provide US $75,000 - US $200,000 for 1–2 year projects to analyze needs, build partnerships, and design programs that strengthen library and archival professionals nationwide.

Libraries, archives, and library science programs in Louisiana and nationwide can seek US $75,000 - US $200,000 to convene forums that strengthen the library and archival workforce. The Institute of Museum and Library Services supports projects that recruit, educate, train, and retain professionals and leaders, producing widely shared reports and measurable, far-reaching impact.

Libraries, archives, and library science programs in Louisiana can apply for US $25,000 - US $100,000 to recruit, train, and retain library and archival professionals through community-centered implementation projects. With a mission to strengthen the library and archival workforce, Institute of Museum and Library Services supports adapting proven models and sharing tools and lessons learned nationwide.

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Program Overview:

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.  

The program supports projects that:  

• provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals;  
• develop faculty and information leaders; and 
• recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals. 

Projects can support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of pre-professionals, students, faculty, and the current library and archives workforce. 

Project Type

National Implementation

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Program Overview:

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.  

The program supports projects that:  

• provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals;  
• develop faculty and information leaders; and 
• recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals. 

Projects can support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of pre-professionals, students, faculty, and the current library and archives workforce. 

Project Type

Early Career Research

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program

Program Overview:

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian (LB21) projects build a library and archival workforce that can meet the information needs of communities and increase the institutional capacity of libraries, archives, and library and information science graduate programs across the country.  

The program supports projects that:  

• provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals;  
• develop faculty and information leaders; and 
• recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals. 

Projects can support the recruitment, education, training, and retention of pre-professionals, students, faculty, and the current library and archives workforce. 

Project Type

Applied Research

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications to establish Regional Medical Libraries within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Since 1965, the NNLM has enhanced public health information access through partnerships with libraries and health organizations. The initiative aims to improve community engagement, disseminate NIH research findings, and foster collaborations to promote health literacy and access to biomedical data, thereby supporting local clinical research efforts.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is seeking applications for a Training Center under the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). This initiative aims to enhance professional development for librarians, community engagement, and access to health information. By fostering partnerships and disseminating NIH resources, the NNLM will broaden its impact and improve public understanding of health data and information. The NTC will develop innovative training curricula and materials to meet diverse audience needs.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is inviting applications for its Coordinating Center within the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Established in 1965, the NNLM enhances public access to health information through collaboration with libraries and community organizations. The NCC will oversee network administration and evaluation, fostering partnerships and supporting local clinical research. This initiative aims to expand NIH engagement and improve public understanding of health resources and information available through the NNLM.

The Lewis-Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative, under the Teaching with Primary Sources program, aims to empower organizations in the U.S. and its territories to create innovative projects that leverage digitized primary sources from the Library of Congress. This initiative, named after Reps. Lewis and Houghton, promotes education in civics, democracy, and history, fostering critical thinking and literacy among students. Grants will be awarded based on the proposal's alignment with these educational goals, enhancing community engagement.