The American Library Association (ALA), in partnership with Simple Mobile, invites public libraries in urban areas to apply for participation in Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action.
Donor Name: American Library Association
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/31/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
This one-year pilot program will provide funding and support for libraries to build and strengthen adult and family literacy programs through a mobile-first lens.
Smartphones are essential tools for work, education, healthcare, and family connection, yet most digital literacy programs still focus on computers. This initiative centers mobile literacy in library programming, helping communities develop the practical skills needed for communication, access, and participation in today’s digital world.
What Participating Libraries Will Receive?
- Funding: $8,000 mini-grant to support workshops and activities.
- Toolkit: Adaptation of the GSMA Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit, applied to libraries for the first time!
- Training & Support: Kickoff webinar, monthly office hours, and peer discussion forum.
- National Visibility: Recognition through ALA and Simple Mobile’s national platforms, including storytelling campaigns.
- Evaluation Tools: Standardized surveys and reporting framework to measure impact.
Example Library Activities
Libraries will be expected to host a minimum of ten (10) activities over the course of the project. Examples of acceptable activities include but are not limited to:
- Workshops on mobile banking, telehealth apps, or school communication platforms.
- Family storytelling projects using mobile video and messaging tools.
- Coaching on online privacy, safety, and scam awareness.
Eligibility Criteria
- Libraries must be located in an urbanized area (population 50,000+) as defined by the U.S. Census.
- Libraries must agree that grant funds will not be used to purchase Internet access service or equipment that connects to the Internet.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a diverse panel of ALA staff, literacy experts, and independent reviewers. Priority will be given to libraries that:
- Serve multilingual populations.
- Have youth-focused literacy programs in place.
- Demonstrate strong community outreach and partnership capacity.
For more information, visit ALA.
