Arizona State Library awards first round of CARES Act grants
As part of a CARES Act funding opportunity, the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, will deliver educational devices and sanitation kits to over 60 Arizona public school libraries, community college libraries, tribal and public libraries.
The federal CARES Act funding for libraries was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
On April 21, the State Library received $657,394 in CARES Act funding from IMLS to help “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, including to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services.”
“Libraries are resilient as they continue working for their communities even during the pandemic,” Secretary Katie Hobbs said. “These grants will assist them as they find alternative ways to help educate and promote their services.”
State Library staff developed three funding opportunities to support Arizona residents through their libraries.
The first phase allowed libraries of all types to request Chromebooks, video equipment, as well as protection and sanitation kits. Libraries from 13 counties submitted applications and at least one library from each of those counties received an award.
During the second funding opportunity for libraries, grant recipients will receive awards of $4,000 each to support internet access, digital literacy and other projects that respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The third funding opportunity will focus on library partnerships with museums and workforce development organizations. For more information, please visit https://azlibrary.gov/libdev/funding.
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is a division of the Arizona Secretary of State. For more information visit www.azlibrary.gov or call 602-542-6200.
