Welcoming Libraries Grant

Welcoming Libraries Grant   

Supported by funding provided by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

What is the Welcoming Libraries grant?

The purpose of this grant is to give libraries access to a curated collection of books about immigration that can used as a pop-up display in the library, lent to community groups/organizations/schools/childcare centers, etc., or brought to outreach events. 

A Welcoming Library is a pop up conversation on immigration using a collection curated by I'm Your Neighbor Books. "That conversation is driven by a collection of acclaimed picture books featuring New Arrival and New American families. Readers of all ages “meet” these families on the page and explore the commonalities shared by all families. This exploration is done with I’m Your Neighbor Books-created discussion questions as well as companion programming and education materials. The collection — with its pop-up display unit — packs into two crates and travels between schools, libraries, and community centers in a given region, building an environment of welcoming and belonging."

Washington State Library is granting eight Welcoming Library Traveling Collections to public and/or tribal libraries in Washington State.

Grant process:

1. Grant application opens Monday, July 18th, 2022
    
2. Apply for the grant by Friday, August 19th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
    
3. The grant committee will review applications and choose recipients by Thursday, August 25th
    
4. After August 25th, grant recipients will work with Washington State Library and I'm Your Neighbor Books to finalize the grant, customize your Welcoming Library Collection, and arrange delivery. Welcoming Libraries will be delivered to libraries in the fall (no later than the end of 2022)
    
5. Selected libraries will be required to complete an impact report no later than 9/30/2023

Grant recipients will be selected according to the following rubric: