Aid to Public Libraries
Forecasted
Aid to Public Libraries supports North Carolina public library systems through formula-based state aid, combining uniform grants with income-based allocations to direct more support to lower-income areas.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: 50% of the appropriation for equal block grants; 50% for per capita income equalization grants
Summary: Formula-based state aid supports eligible North Carolina county, regional, and municipal public library systems.
Key Information: Qualifying municipal libraries receive per capita grants but do not receive block grants.
Description
Aid to Public Libraries provides formula-based financial support to public library systems across North Carolina. Funded by the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources and administered by the State Library, the program distributes its appropriation through two complementary components: equal block grants and per capita income equalization grants.
The block-grant component provides a uniform allocation to eligible county libraries and an additional block grant to regional libraries. The income equalization component serves eligible county, regional, and municipal library systems, with per capita allocations inversely proportional to local per capita income. This directs greater per capita support to areas with lower local per capita income, combining a uniform allocation with support tied to population and income.
