Through the CARES Act, an emergency investment has been allocated to IMLS in effort to enable libraries and museums to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the corona virus. Funds are intended to be used towards expanding digital network access, purchasing Internet accessible devices, and providing technical support services to communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that people in rural and tribal communities, as well as those in high-poverty areas or remote regions lacking access to broadband, have been disproportionately affected. The expansion of broadband access and digital services will enable people from these communities to connect to the health, community, government, and job information, as well as other programs and services that play an enhanced role in the current health emergency.
None is available.
State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) must use the funds to expand digital network access, purchase internet accessible devices, and provide technical support services to citizens to address digital inclusion efforts and related technical support.
SLAAs should use the following types of data to prioritize geographic focus for these funds:
NOTE: IMLS plans to announce additional measures to aid museums and libraries, both through its standard grant programs and that which has been received through the CARES Act.
SLAAs should contact their regional LSTA grants coordinator with questions. A list of these contacts is available at: https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/state-programs-contact-list-15-april-2019.pdf.
State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) in each of the 50 states and US territories are eligible.
When distributing funds at the local level, SLAAs are encouraged to use all available mechanisms to reach museum and tribal partners, as well as traditionally eligible libraries within their state.
This is a closed-allocation process. IMLS will provide additional details and anticipated timelines of this funding availability directly to SLAAs.
This is a one-time funding opportunity in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Future funding cycles are not anticipated.
A total of $530 million in funding has been allocated to IMLS under the CARES act, of which $30 million will be used to make direct-formula-based-block-grants. Individual allocations for States and Territories may be viewed at https://www.imls.gov/sites/default/files/caresactallotmenttablefy2020.pdf.