Public Library Grant for Skill development in rural Alberta

Important dates

Overview

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has allocated $200,000 to be distributed through the Municipal Affairs Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) as a grant program.

The purpose of this one-time grant program is to support public library boards in rural areas to strengthen their services and programs to support communities in becoming resilient and sustainable.

The grant is intended to support initiatives in rural public libraries that promote:

• digital literacy, including basic computer skills, cyber security and fraud detection, and evaluating online information effectively
• employment and job skills development, including resume writing, job interviewing, and career exploration
• support for new Canadians, such as citizenship supports, English language learning, employment supports and welcoming communitiess

Funding

• This is a one-time grant program with a total budget of $200,000.
• Grants will be awarded in amounts of $5,000 to a total of 40 recipients.
• This is one-time project funding that is separate from PLSB’s annual operating grant funds and is awarded using a process separate from the operating grant application process.

Selection process

• Application packages must be completed and submitted in electronic format by Friday, November 29, 2024.
• Email your completed application form to PLSB at [email protected].
• The review of applications will be conducted by PLSB staff and final decisions will be made by the minister of Municipal Affairs.
• Selection criteria include:
  • demonstration of need
  • quality of planning
  • alignment with grant program objectives
  • suitability of proposed benchmarking

Eligibility

• Applications must be for initiatives that have been or will be launched between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2026.
• Initiatives can include projects, programs and capital expenditures.
  • While there are no specifically ineligible expenditures under this grant, it is expected the funds will be expended to meet one of the above-mentioned objectives.
• Projects previously funded by the grant program are not eligible to be funded again.
• Eligible applicants are restricted to municipal, intermunicipal, First Nation and Metis Settlement library boards serving rural jurisdictions.
• For the purposes of this grant, a rural jurisdiction has the following characteristics:
  • a population of less than 20,000 people
  • limited geographic proximity to population centres over 25,000 that could provide sources of employment and services
  • communities may be remote and/or have in them, or around them, a significant amount of nature, natural resources, agricultural land and wilderness areas
• Applicants must follow current legislation, generally accepted library policy and operational standards.
• Grant recipients must agree to allow PLSB to publicly announce and share information about the initiative that has been funded.

How to apply

Step 1. Read the application package

Public Library Grant for Skill Development in Rural Alberta

For best results, click on the link and – from your browser – save the PDF form before filling it out.

Step 2. Complete the application package

Fill out the application package thoroughly.

The application may be accompanied by other supporting materials that relate directly to the initiative under consideration.

If you would like an accessible version of this form, email our accessibility team lead at [email protected].

Step 3. Submit the application package

Send all enquiries and completed applications to PLSB at [email protected].

After you apply

Successful library board applicants will be notified in February 2025.

Reporting

Successful library boards who are project grant recipients will be expected to:

• sign a project grant agreement with the Government of Alberta for the funds
• expend all awarded funds by March 31, 2026
• prepare and submit a final project report (including financials) on the initiative by September 30, 2026
• be available to ministry communications’ teams to share impact stories and successes

Grant recipients

Check back in spring 2025 to learn about the successful recipients and their projects.

Contact

Connect with the Public Library Services Branch:

Phone: 780-427-4871
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

Address:
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4