Skip to main content
Library ARPA Grants

Library ARPA Grants

ARPA GRANTS

The Library of Michigan has awarded ARPA funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services primarily through two grant programs - the ARPA Capacity Grant and the ARPA Equipment Grant. The ARPA Equipment grants were made to twenty-one public libraries in the amount of $1,263,886. The ARPA Capacity grants were made to three statewide library organizations in the amount of $2,740,844. You can see an overview of the grant awards in the Library of Michigan ARPA Grants Overview.

ARPA Background

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the Library of Michigan (LM) $4,171,573 from the American Rescue Plan Act (Public Law 117-2). To achieve the American Rescue Plan Act's purposes, this funding is to be used by September 30, 2022, in helping communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic, as well as to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches.

The ARPA spending priorities are:

a. First, to enable libraries to reach residents with internet hotspots, accessible Wi-Fi, and other digital inclusion efforts, particularly in support of education, health, and workforce development needs. The following types of data, among others, can inform efforts to reach underserved populations:

  • Poverty / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Unemployment
  • Broadband availability

b. Second, to provide rapid emergency relief to libraries across the country, allowing them to safely respond to the pandemic and implement public health protocols.

To meet these requirements, LM is working to help public libraries provide improved access to the Internet for their community, while maintaining a safe environment for staff and patrons. ARPA funding distributed through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) also falls under IMLS' authorizing legislation, including that construction costs are not allowable.

LM ARPA Equipment Grant Program

Priorities

  • Increase the capacity of Michigan libraries to safely provide services to community members.
  • Increase the capacity of Michigan libraries to safely provide content to community members.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants are legally established Michigan public libraries that are eligible for state aid at the time of application.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY

Minimum Award: $25,000
Maximum Award: $250,000

GRANT PERIOD

The grant period is from November 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022.

LM ARPA Capacity Grant Program

Priorities

  • Increase the capacity of Michigan public libraries to provide internet access to those community members without access.
  • Increase the capacity of Michigan libraries to safely provide services to community members.
  • Increase the capacity of Michigan libraries to safely provide content to community members.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible applicants are Michigan library cooperatives established under P.A. 89 of 1977 or Michigan non-profit associations or organizations committed primarily to resource sharing and/or the advancement of statewide or regional library services. More details on eligibility are in the grant application packet.

FUNDING AVAILABILITY

  • Minimum Award: $250,000
  • Maximum Award: $2,000,000

GRANT PERIOD

The grant period is from November 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022.

FORMS & DOCUMENTS

SUBMIT GRANT FORMS

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please contact Karren Reish at 517-241-0021 or reishk@michigan.gov with questions on the program.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Updated 05/05/2022.