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Alaska State Libraries, Archives & Museums Alaska State Library

Grants for Alaska Libraries and Schools

The Alaska State Library helps public and school libraries acquire financial assistance.

Public Library Assistance Grants

Alaska public libraries and combined school public libraries may apply annual for the state-funded non-competitive Public Library Assistance (PLA) Grant. Grant funds, in part, must be used by eligible libraries to purchase library materials and may also be used, in part, to pay staff or cover other daily operating costs of the library.  

The PLA Grant application period opened in January 2026 and will close on April 1, 2026.

State Funding Source

The Alaska State Library uses State of Alaska funds for the Public Library Assistance Grants. If awarded, the pass-through funding source will be indicated in the grant agreement. Funds are granted based on available resources.

 

Statutes & Regulations

Visit Alaska Library Law for specific statutes and regulations for the Public Library Assistance Grant under Library Assistance Grants. 

  • Alaska Statutes: Article 03 Library Assistance Grants Sec. 14.56.300. - 14.56.310.
  • Alaska Administrative Code:  Article 2: Library Assistance Grants 4 AAC 57.050. - 57.064. and 57.067. 

 

Public Library Eligibility

To be eligible for a PLA grant a library must fit the criteria under Alaska Library Law AS Sec. 14.56.400. Public Libraries.

Libraries in Alaska can become a public library if it will serve the entire community and will meet the eligibility requirements for the Public Library Assistance Grant.  

A. By Alaska Statute, a public library must provide these basic four services;

  1. Purchase, maintain and provide for the circulation of a collection of library books and materials;
  2. Provide interlibrary loan service;
  3. Provide reference services; and
  4. Provide children's programs.

B.  Per the Alaska Administrative Code, public libraries must also meet these requirements:

  • Library Schedule:  Must be open on a regular schedule at least 48 weeks of the your and at least 3 days each week. 
  • Library Hours:  Public library must provide 5 or more hours of evening service (after 5 PM) and weekend. 
  • Main Library Hours Per Week Based on Population:
    • Fewer than 750 people:  10 hours minimum
    • 750 -- 1,500 people:  15 hours minimum
    • 1,500 -- 3,000 people: 25 hours minimum
    • 3,000 -- 10,000 people:  40 hours minimum
    • 10,000 or more people: 50 hours minimum

  • Collection Development:  Spend a minimum of $3,500 of local or grant funds annually on library materials for patrons to use. 

  • Grant match: Must match 100% ($7,000) of the grant by providing a mix of either local funds and/or volunteer labor.  Volunteer labor shall be valued at a rate of $22.00 an hour.  If claiming volunteer labor hours for match, the library can only claim up to the total number of hours the library is open each year. 

  • Policies and Reports:  Each library shall adopt and maintain a written collection development policy; shall adopt and maintain a mission, goals, and objectives statement; shall maintain an accurate accounting of its budget and expenditures; shall submit a complete public library annual report every year; and shall submit minutes of at least quarterly library board meetings if library is operated as a nonprofit. 

  • Staffing Requirements:  Trained staff (paid or volunteer) shall operate the library during all open hours.  Library directors must complete 6 hours of continuing education every two years.  In cities with 3,000 to 5,999 people, the library director must have a bachelor's degree and library management experience or training.  In cities with more that 6,000 people, the director shall have a master's degree in library science.  

 

Combined Public and School Library Eligibility

Combined Public and School Libraries must also meet the eligibility requirements of 4 AAC 57.064.

  • Memorandum of Agreement:  The school district and governing body of the public library must have an agreement on the allocation of financial responsibilities, ownership of the collection, maintenance of facilities, staffing and personnel requirements, and hours of service. 
  • General Public:  Provide access to the general public by placing the library in a facility separate from the school, in a room with an outside entrance accessible to library patrons or providing space for the library that has an identifiable library entrance. 
  • Additional Library Hours:  10 hours of the combined public and school library schedule must be outside regular school hours.  

 

Contact the Grants Coordinator if you have questions about eligibility or the application. 

 

Timeline for FY2027 Grants

  • Applications due Wednesday April 1, 2026.
  • Grant Award Letters Sent Fall 2026.
  • Signed Grant Agreements Due Within 45 Days of Award. 
  • Payout Within 30 days of Returned Agreement. 
  • Grant Period Ends June 30, 2027. 
  • Public Library Annual Report Due September 1st, 2027. 

 

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