Library Grant Cycle (Bernard Carl and Shirley Rosen Library Fund)

The grant targets libraries seeking to enhance access and engagement for youth in several key areas:

• Early Childhood (Birth to 5): Funding is available for storytime materials, staff support for storytime and summer reading programs, books for circulation, early literacy technology, and resources for reading incentives.
• Kindergarten to 5th Grade: Support includes book clubs, transportation for youth activities, staff salaries for youth-related programming with an emphasis on comprehensive plans that encourage reading, collection development to match local needs, author visits, and specialized technology for intellectual curiosity and literacy.
• 6th to 12th Grade: Grants cover book clubs, college prep classes, field trips, teen employment linked to programming that encourages reading, collection development, and technology that supports interactive learning and literacy. For all age groups, summer reading programming receives particular attention, with a focus on incentivizing reading and learning, encouraging library sign-up and use, and blending educational activities with entertainment to draw broader participation.