Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small and Rural Libraries is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) that seeks to provide community engagement resources and opportunities specific to the needs of library workers serving small and rural communities. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they library patrons, residents, faculty, students or partner organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community. 

The goal of these grants is to:

• Teach library workers facilitation skills, through the LTC: Facilitation Skills for Small and Rural Libraries asynchronous six-part e-course and facilitation guide, that will empower them to lead a community conversation
• Provide flexible funding to support libraries’ community engagement efforts

LTC grant funds are restricted to project-related expenses. Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Library staff time
• Purchase of books or other collection materials
• Tech equipment (e.g. virtual meeting licenses, iPads, Wi-Fi hotspots)
• Project supplies (e.g. markers, index cards, post-its)
• Additional facilitation training for library staff (e.g. equity, diversity and inclusion facilitation skills training)
• Payment to project partners for reimbursement or direct funding of services and support provided (e.g. childcare providers, translators, instructors, co-facilitator)
• Promotion and publicity
• Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies