CARES Act Funding for Libraries

CARES Act Funding through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

Funding for Round 2

The Colorado State Library (CSL) will distribute a total of $200,000 in non-competitive grants to select public library jurisdictions*(library district, municipal library, county library, joint library, etc.)  

IMLS has set funding priorities based on the following:

• Poverty
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Unemployment; and
• Broadband Availability.

The State Library has identified 18 counties* that have the highest need based on these funding priorities.

Library Jurisdictions in the identified counties* can apply for the grants. The simplified grant application is designed to capture only essential information.

We anticipate funding approximately 20 library jurisdictions with a maximum of $10,000 for each jurisdiction.

Grant funding must be used for any of the following:

• Device lending to patrons (hotspots, Chromebook, tablets, ereaders, etc.) Devices must be configured to ensure compliance with CIPA (filtering).
• Materials for virtual and low-touch passive programming (take and make crafts etc.)
• Unemployment resources (online tools, publications, etc.)
• eBooks / Audio Books

*At this time applications will be accepted from public library jurisdictions located in the following Colorado counties

Submit completed applications to:
Applications Due: Monday, August 24, 2020

Jean Marie Heilig
Heilig_j@cde.state.co.us
303-551-4711

• CARES Act Grant Funding Application (Word)
• Allowable Expenditures (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Grant Implementation Webinar - Round 1
  • ​Webinar recording from July 28, 2020
  • Slides (PDF)

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