Best Library Grants in Minnesota

Minnesota library and 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, which offer US $5,000 - US $30,000 for programs in eligible rail-served communities. Projects may include library services that enhance community vitality, youth development, basic needs, environmental education, or public safety while advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Minnesota library and school library media center staff seeking professional library education in Minnesota can apply for scholarships up to US $1,000 to pursue degrees or certificates in the library field. Funded by the Minnesota Library Foundation, applicants must also be Minnesota Library Association members, with first-time applicants receiving priority.

Rural public libraries in Minnesota and other eligible states can apply for Rob-See-Co’s library grant to support book collections, educational programming, and technology upgrades. Grants from Rob-See-Co help Minnesota library services enhance collections, improve facilities, host traveling exhibits or speakers, and fund staff training and publications, with awards of US $500 each.

Paid library staff in Minnesota can apply for Minnesota Department of Education travel grants, awarding up to US $17,500 for professional development at regional or national library conferences and continuing education events. Public, academic, school, special, tribal libraries, and regional library systems seeking to build staff skills and networking may benefit.

Minnesota libraries seeking to improve literacy services can apply for Minnesota Department of Education’s Library Services and Technology Act Literacy Grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $50,000 for projects expanding access to services and information. Funding supports new, pilot, or significantly expanded initiatives that reduce barriers, promote equity, and strengthen library contributions statewide.

Library staff working in Minnesota public or tribal libraries can receive up to US $3,000 to attend the 2026 Public Library Association Conference in Minneapolis for professional development and networking. The Minnesota Department of Education prioritizes first-time conference attendees and staff from libraries serving populations under 50,000, with limited in-person and virtual slots per regional system.

Minnesota public library jurisdictions planning construction, renovation, or accessibility projects can apply for the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant, with awards up to US $750,000. Minnesota library services can access funding through Minnesota Department of Education to remove architectural barriers, address health and safety issues, expand existing facilities, or build new libraries.

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

Minnesota libraries, schools, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering family literacy programs that combine adult education, children’s education, and parent-child together time can seek funding up to US $10,000. The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations within 15 miles of a Dollar General store that provide direct literacy services to families.

Minnesota libraries and library-affiliated nonprofits can access funding to create or expand summer reading programs for Pre-K–12 students, including new, below-grade-level, and students with learning disabilities. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation offer up to US $3,000 for programs within 15 miles of a Dollar General store in eligible states.

Minnesota libraries, archives, and library science programs planning workforce development initiatives can access funding through the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian planning grants, awarding US $75,000 - US $200,000 for 1–2 year projects. Administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, these grants support needs assessment, partnerships, curricula, and pilot efforts to strengthen library and archival staff capacity nationwide.

Library staff at NNLM member organizations in Minnesota who hold CHIS Level 1 or 2 can apply for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine’s professional development award; awards US $300 for delivering a CHIS health information class. Funding supports rural and small libraries building capacity to provide trustworthy health information.

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

Minnesota librarians who work with teens and provide library services can receive US $1,000 to attend the ALA Annual Conference for the first time. Focused on professional development, the American Library Association’s Baker and Taylor YALSA Conference Grant supports eligible school and public librarians who are current ALA/YALSA personal members with one to ten years of teen services experience.

Libraries, library associations, and information science programs in Minnesota and across the U.S. can receive up to US $5,000 to develop reading lists, webliographies, indexes, or other library resource guides. With a mission to support library services, American Library Association provides funding for projects focused on American libraries intended for national distribution.

Rural public libraries rebuilding children’s collections after natural disasters can receive in-kind children’s book support through the Pilcrow Foundation, including those in Minnesota. These U.S. libraries must be in disaster-affected rural areas, have limited operating budgets, and plan to rebuild active children’s departments to qualify for $800 in new hardcover children’s books.

The Harvard-Yenching Library Travel Grant supports scholars outside Boston in utilizing its extensive collections for research. This program prioritizes non-tenured faculty, dissertation-writing Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars, especially those from institutions lacking East Asian language resources. Grants are awarded based on merit and must be used by August 31, 2026, to encourage diverse academic engagement and exploration.

The Small Communities Grant Program by the Blandin Foundation aims to empower Minnesota's smallest, most diverse, and economically challenged communities by providing essential funding for projects that enhance community well-being. By fostering collaboration and trust among residents, the program seeks to drive meaningful economic, social, and physical changes. Grant awards typically range from $25,000 to $150,000, with a focus on sustainable initiatives that build local capacity and pride.

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

Forum:

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

Community-Centered 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

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.

In collaboration with Cummins Inc., the American Library Association (ALA) invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners across the country. 

Twenty-five libraries will be chosen to participate in A Year of STEM, receiving professional development to prepare them for the project, copies of a newly created A Year of STEM programming guide developed by librarian advisors, a $5,000 programming stipend, four STEM kits (to be delivered quarterly), and support from ALA’s Public Programs Office staff throughout the project implementation period.