Grant Opportunities

The New Jersey library community strives to fulfill the information needs of a vast and varied customer group. As always, the New Jersey State Library supports the state’s public libraries in serving all New Jerseyans—from pre-Kindergartners on the brink of emergent literacy, to students on the path to graduation and early careers, to disconnected individuals of all ages on the far side of the digital divide.

Through state and federal funds, the State Library periodically offers competitive grant opportunities for New Jersey libraries statewide.

Current Opportunities

Join the NJSL in Teaching Information Literacy as a consultant

We’re looking for consultants with broad experience in information literacy, education and libraries, to contribute to the grant project deliverables as an Instructional Frameworks and Activities Designer or Meeting Planner. Related information are available below.

Community Center Digital Connect – Capital Projects Fund (CPF)

A CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND (CPF) GRANT OPPORTUNITY

The State Library is pleased to announce the Community Center Digital Connect grant program, a competitive grant program funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (Capital Projects Fund or CPF), established by Section 604 of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The purpose of this grant is to enable the construction or improvement of buildings designed to jointly and directly enable work, education, and health monitoring located in communities with critical need for the project. Capital Projects Fund grant funding can also be used for the ancillary costs related to eligible capital projects that are necessary to put the asset to full use. The purpose is to also address needs in communities that were most impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

For more information about the Community Center Digital Connect grant opportunity, click here.

NJ State Library Grant Resources

Discover a wealth of grant opportunities through the New Jersey State Library (NJSL). We are dedicated to supporting New Jersey libraries in securing the funding they need to serve their communities effectively. Here, we offer a range of resources and programs to assist in locating and applying for library grants.

For more information about the NJ State Library’s Grant Resources, click here.

Past Grant Opportunities

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) – Grants to States

Using our federal Library Services and Technology Act – Grants to States grant, the State Library is offering awards between $2,000 and $20,000 to eligible organizations (public libraries and library consortia) to address literacy needs across New Jersey.

For more information about this LSTA 2022 grant opportunity, click here.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Covid-Relief American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 logo featuring the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

NJSL was awarded $3.9 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). A majority of these funds has been used to provide competitive grant opportunities for NJ libraries. For more information about ARPA grant award recipients and their projects, click here.

Additionally, a portion of these funds was used to provide various resources for New Jersey libraries.

For more information about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), click here.

New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act (LCBA)

On July 21, 2017, Governor Chris Christie signed the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act,  P.L. 2017,  c. 149, which authorized the issuance of $125 million in general obligation bonds to finance capital projects at public libraries. The State Library developed the rules to implement the Act for the construction, reconstruction, extension, improvement, and furnishing of New Jersey’s public libraries. These rules (regulations) became effective November 4, 2019.

For more information about the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act, click here.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Logotype

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.