The California State Library has announced a Building Forward Library Infrastructure Program to promote the development and growth of public libraries throughout California by providing funding, access to resources, and ongoing technical assistance.
Donor Name: California State Library
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): 03/21/2022
Size of the Grant: $10 million
Grant Period: 4 years
Details:
Funding Priorities
Pursuant to SB 129, funding will be prioritized for the following:
- Projects addressing life safety and other critical maintenance needs; and
- Projects serving high poverty areas of the state.
- Other library infrastructure projects may be considered if funding remains after priority projects have been evaluated.
Funding Information
The maximum grant amount per library facility is $10 million.
Program Period
Funds must be expended by March 31, 2026.
Eligible & Priority Project Types
Applications for any library facilities-related project are welcome. Priority will be given to projects supporting libraries “located in high-poverty areas of the state”, and to projects that directly address life safety and/or critical maintenance needs and critical infrastructure. For the purposes of this grant, life safety projects are defined as those that address significant health and safety risks to patrons or staff using a facility. This includes any physical aspect of the facility, its building systems, or equipment essential to emergency response situations specific to the library facility.
Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Fire suppression systems/fire pumps
- For example: Fire and gas detection, sprinklers, stairwell pressurization, emergency egress
- Security systems and safety features
- For example: Cameras, security/emergency lighting, safe rooms, emergency wayfinding signage
- Emergency communication systems
- Air filtration systems
- Repairs to eliminate hazards and passive risk to individuals
- For example: Tripping or slipping
- Backup power supply needed for emergency purposes
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications may be submitted by cities, counties, or library districts on behalf of local library jurisdictions or facilities under their jurisdiction. Library-related nonprofit organizations such as “Friends” groups are not eligible to apply.
- One application per library facility will be accepted.
- Applicants seeking funding for multiple facilities must submit a separate application for each facility.
- Grantees will be required to provide matching funds on adollar-for-dollar basis. Applicants may apply for a reduction to their required match based on their Local Operating Income Per Capita (LIPC) by submitting a written Match Reduction Justification Request as part of the application.
- The California Poverty Measure will be used to prioritize projects in high poverty areas of the state.
- Projects completed under this grant must be completed according to the California Building Standards Code, and applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances, policies, and guides.
- If the library facility is leased, a lease commitment of at least ten years is required following the completion of the funded project.
For more information, visit Building Forward Library Infrastructure Program.
