State Grants to Libraries
Forecasted
State Grants to Libraries supports Colorado's public, school, and academic libraries with educational materials that strengthen literacy, learning, and access to information for a better informed population.
Funder: Colorado Department of Education
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Nearly $3 million appropriated for 2026–2027; minimum $4,500 per eligible library, with formula-based allocations
Summary: Annual formula grants support educational library materials that improve literacy, learning, and access to information in Colorado.
Key Information: Only the main library jurisdiction, academic institution, or school district applies; funding is reimbursement-based.
Description
State Grants to Libraries is a Colorado Department of Education program administered by the Colorado State Library. It provides annual state funding to publicly supported public, school, and academic libraries for educational resources they would otherwise be unable to afford. The program supports literacy, learning, and other education-related needs identified by grantees, with the goal of a better educated and informed population.
This is a formula grant for library materials, rather than research or other project work. Educational resources include books, periodicals, other print media, audiovisual materials, and electronic information resources. Funding supplements existing library collections budgets rather than replacing local support. Awards go to the main funding entity, which determines how resources are shared among its libraries or branches.
