The Alaska State Library will be granting $2.1 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Grant applications may include the following allowable costs:
General Technology
- Hotspots and accessible Wi-Fi for checkout to users in areas with robust cell coverage
- Laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, and e-readers for checkout
- Computers, software, and peripherals for public use
- Network equipment such as routers and modems
- Broadband costs from July 2021 through September 2022
- Equipment, licenses, and contracts for digitization projects, such as Vilda
- Equipment and software needed to create or manage virtual programs or podcasts
- Creation of webpages
- Digital screens, projectors, microphones, and speakers
- Consultant fees for assessing technology, network needs, and space planning
Outdoor Programming and Services
- Mobile digital van equipment
- Outside charging stations for technology
- Wi-Fi equipment to boost signal outside the LAM
- Security cameras to monitor Wi-Fi service areas and building exterior
- Patio furniture or other materials to support programs outside the facility
- Interpretive panels, pop-up banners for content, and storyboards for StoryWalk®
Digital Content
- Database licenses from July 2021 through September 2022
- Downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, and other content for users
- Fees to join Alaska Digital Library or Alaska School Digital Library
- Physical library materials in all formats for users
- Software to make library catalog and collections accessible to users over internet
Pandemic Relief
- Personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies to mitigate Covid-19
- HVAC equipment or stand-alone air purifiers, but not installation
- Sign holders, stanchions, and other equipment to encourage social distancing
- Equipment to increase broadband within or around the library, but not installation
- Equipment for curbside delivery of library materials, i.e. lockers for picking up holds
- Self-checkout machines for libraries, touchless payment systems, and timed entry systems
- Touchless water fountains, faucets, paper towel dispensers, and stand-alone hand washing stations
- Materials for virtual and low-touch passive programming (take and make activity kits)
- Contracts for janitorial services
Partnership Projects to Meet Community Needs Due to Pandemic
- Projects that support education, health, mental health, workforce development, skills training, and entrepreneurship solutions to societal problems created by the pandemic
- Projects that target underserved populations in areas experiencing poverty and unemployment
- Projects that help libraries, archives, and museums respond to pandemic impacts
- Staff costs incurred during projects may be charged to project grants
Indirect Costs
Grants can include 10% indirect or negotiated rate, in addition to project cost.
Costs Not Allowable in These Grant Applications
- Cannot be used by museums to acquire objects for their collections
- Cannot be used to replace lost program receipts, i.e., museum entry fees
- Cannot be used to pay construction workers, i.e., to install HVAC equipment
- Cannot be used to buy swag (items given away for promotional purposes), incentives or rewards, or food
- Cannot be used for construction costs
- Cannot be used for cost associated with promoting the LAM or advocacy
Questions? Contact eed.library.grants@alaska.gov
