Research Libraries Program
Funds projects that enhance access, preservation, and scholarly use of research library resources in the humanities and performing arts, with a focus on cataloging, conservation, and selective digitization.
Funder: The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation
Due Dates: Rolling (no deadlines; proposals accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards are single-year grants; amounts are modest and vary by project.
Summary: Supports projects that enhance research libraries’ ability to advance humanities and performing arts scholarship, with emphasis on access, preservation, digitization, and collaborative initiatives.
Key Information: No overhead or indirect costs allowed; U.S. 501(c)(3) or equivalent required.
Description
The Research Libraries Program of The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation is dedicated to strengthening the capacity of research libraries to support scholarship in the humanities and performing arts. The program funds projects that improve access to unique archival, manuscript, and bibliographical resources, encourage cooperative cataloging, promote scholarly library publications, and advance collection-level preservation and conservation efforts. Selective digitization projects that adhere to scholarly standards for metadata, preservation, and distribution are eligible, but large-scale or general digitization projects are not.
The program primarily supports initiatives related to European and American history and letters, as well as projects focused on the history of the book, book culture, and printing history. Collaborative activities—such as conferences and field-building programs that leverage broader institutional or consortial engagement—are also considered. The overarching goal is to make research library resources more accessible and impactful for both scholars and the public.
