Best Library Grants in Nebraska

Nebraska library and health information professionals seeking professional development in health information access, data science, or library services can receive funding to attend seminars, conferences, or workshops. The National Library of Medicine’s NNLM Region 3 Professional Development Award offers US $2,000 to Region 3 Network members, including eligible organizations and individual information professionals, to build skills serving underrepresented communities.

Accredited Nebraska public and institutional libraries seeking to improve services, literacy, and digital access in Nebraska can apply for Library Improvement Grants supporting program and service development. Nebraska Library Commission supports library services by funding projects that expand resources, promote lifelong learning and workforce skills, encourage resource sharing, and strengthen collections and disaster readiness; partners may join eligible libraries on collaborative projects.

Nebraska library and 501(c)(3) organizations improving community safety, workforce development, vitality, or environmental sustainability can access funding through Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $30,000. Eligible projects must primarily serve Nebraska communities on the Union Pacific service list and align with the program’s priority cause areas.

Children’s and youth librarians in accredited Nebraska public or identified institutional libraries can apply for Nebraska Library Commission’s Youth Grants for Excellence to launch or expand creative youth programs. Funding supports projects that encourage reading, creativity, character development, library use, or services for English learners, and must include at least one youth-focused program or event.

Nebraska libraries and NNLM member organizations can use this $2,000 Exhibit Award to support health information exhibits, conference outreach, and educational activities that promote health literacy and equity. Focused on library services, the National Library of Medicine encourages projects highlighting NLM and NNLM resources, especially for underserved and underrepresented communities.

Rural public libraries in Nebraska and other eligible states can apply for Rob-See-Co’s library grant, awarding US $500 to support collections, educational programs, and technology upgrades. Grants from Rob-See-Co help Nebraska library services expand books, school visits, digitization projects, traveling exhibits, speakers, staff training, and related community programming.

National Library of Medicine provides Nebraska library services with US $2,000 virtual professional development awards to strengthen health information access and delivery. NNLM Network Member institutions and eligible individuals can use funds for online conferences, workshops, or training in data science and health information, especially to better serve underrepresented and minority communities.

Nebraska 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 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.

Schools, public libraries, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting struggling K–12 readers can apply for youth literacy grants up to Up to US $5,000 from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Nebraska library programs within 20 miles of a Dollar General store may use funds to start or expand literacy initiatives, buy technology, or purchase books and materials.

Nebraska libraries, schools, and nonprofit organizations can receive funding to create or expand summer reading programs serving Pre-K–12 students who are new, below-grade-level, or have learning disabilities. Grants from Dollar General Literacy Foundation provide up to US $3,000 for literacy-focused summer reading initiatives within 15 miles of a Dollar General store.

Libraries, schools, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Nebraska offering family literacy programs that include adult education, children’s education, and parent-child together time can apply for up to US $10,000 to support these services. Eligible applicants must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and listed in the National Literacy Directory.

Nebraska libraries and other eligible educational nonprofits offering adult literacy, GED preparation, or English language acquisition programs can apply for Dollar General Literacy Foundation’s Adult Literacy Grants, with awards up to US $10,000. Funding supports direct-service programs within 15 miles of a Dollar General store in states where the company operates, including Nebraska.

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.

Nebraska Library Commission Grants Schedule

Nebraska Library Commission Grants: The Nebraska Library Commission awards grants to Nebraska libraries and library organizations according to the following schedule. These grants are financed with funding made available through the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature or through the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.

Continuing Education and Training Grants

This year, the Nebraska Library Commission is opening the CE grants to 1) online learning, 2) attending out-of-state conferences or workshops, and 3) larger continuing education projects.

The purpose of these continuing education grants is to assist Nebraska libraries in improving the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library's mission.

For this round of CE and training grants, applications should be for events happening before June 2026. (All reimbursement forms and receipts must be submitted by June 12, 2026.).

Library and information organizations in Nebraska seeking to coordinate health information and data services can apply for funding up to US $1,500,000 to lead the Network of the National Library of Medicine Coordinating Center. Focused on library services, the National Institutes of Health invites eligible U.S. entities to manage network administration, evaluation, communication, and outreach.

Nebraska school library associations that are AASL Chapters can access funding through the ABC-CLIO Leadership Grant to plan and implement leadership development programs. Offered by the American Library Association, this grant provides up to US $1,750 for initiatives that engage members, train leaders, build librarian leadership capacity, and encourage collaboration.

Certified public school librarians in the U.S. can receive US $1,000 to support and showcase local public awareness or marketing campaigns that promote strong school libraries. American Library Association offers travel stipends to its ALA and AASL members to attend the AASL National Conference and present their campaigns, benefiting librarians in Nebraska and nationwide.

Non-tenured faculty, dissertation-stage Ph.D. candidates, and independent scholars needing library services support can access funding through Harvard University’s Harvard-Yenching Library Travel Grant. This US $2,000 award helps researchers from outside the Boston area travel to use Harvard-Yenching Library collections, with priority for institutions lacking strong East Asian language resources.

Nebraska rural public libraries with limited budgets rebuilding children’s departments after natural disasters can access funding through the Pilcrow Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant, receiving US $800 in in-kind support for new hardcover children’s books. Eligible libraries are in disaster-affected rural areas within the 50 U.S. states and are approved individually.

Libraries, library associations, and information science programs developing reading lists, webliographies, indexes, or other library guides for U.S. users can receive up to US $5,000 for research and preparation costs. With a mission to support library services, American Library Association provides Nebraska library projects with funding for nationally distributed, broadly useful tools that stimulate use of library resources.

Focused on library services, American Library Association invites Nebraska librarians who work with teens to seek support to attend the ALA Annual Conference for the first time. Current ALA/YALSA personal members with one to ten years’ experience with teenagers can receive US $1,000 for professional development, including school and public library staff.

The Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Travel Grant supports five black/African American youth and teen services librarians annually. Each grant, ranging from $1500 to $3000, covers expenses for travel, housing, registration, and attendance at the ALA Annual Conference, including the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast. This initiative aims to empower underrepresented librarians in their professional development and community engagement.

The NNLM CHIS Training Award Year 5 aims to enhance the capabilities of rural and small library staff in providing reliable health information. This initiative not only supports health literacy but also promotes community engagement by enabling awardees to conduct CHIS classes. By utilizing existing materials, participants can present these classes in various formats, ensuring broader access to essential health resources. This award fosters local health information leaders, ultimately improving public health outcomes.

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

Planning:

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:

Libraries and information organizations in Nebraska and other U.S. states and territories can seek up to US $750,000 to serve as the Network of the National Library of Medicine Training Center, developing and delivering health information training. The National Institutes of Health supports curricula, materials, and innovative instructional design to strengthen biomedical and data literacy across the NNLM.

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.