Library Enhancement Grant Application

Please apply through Euna Grants.

The application is open Thursday, October 1, 2026, through Saturday, October 31, 2026.

I. Program Overview

The Idaho Commission for Libraries’ Library Services Improvement Grant will award grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to public, tribal and special libraries located in Idaho. The grant aims to address an identified community need and enhance the library’s ability to provide accessible and relevant services, programs, and collections. The project must include a meaningful educational component that supports learning and must align with the Idaho LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) Five-Year State Plan. Funding will provide additional resources to support needs that would otherwise be difficult to meet within the library’s current budget.

This grant is project-based. Grant recipients must develop and implement a project that identifies a specific target audience, addresses a demonstrated need of that audience, and provides activities or services designed to meet that need.

This grant is administered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) and is made possible with funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), award number LS-260819-OLS-26, Assistance Listing Number 45.310 State Library Program. Please acknowledge the IMLS and ICfL in signage, brochures, websites, press releases, and public events funded by or describing this grant program. The funding for this grant is authorized by the Library Services and Technology Act, as amended (LSTA) (20 U.S.C. § 9101 et seq.). These funds are governed by the purposes and priorities set forth by the US Congress, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. 200).

II. Program Goals

  1. Increase access to library services by enhancing local library abilities to meet community needs.
  2. Create opportunities for expanding library services to community members. Build the institutional capacity of libraries to best serve their communities.
  3. Provide funds for project needs that exceed local budgetary capacity without supplanting existing local funding.

III. Key Dates

Submit applications: October 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026

Award/decline notification: December 2026

Grant period: December 1, 2026 – May 15, 2027

Final report due: June 15, 2027

IV. Program Requirements

  1. Award Summary. Libraries may apply for awards of $500 to $3,000. The grant aims to address an identified community need and enhance the library’s ability to provide accessible and relevant services, programs, and collections. Funding will provide additional resources to support needs that would otherwise be difficult to meet within the library’s current budget.
  2. Required Activities. The library agrees to:
    1. Align the grant project with at least one of the goals from the Idaho Commission for Libraries Five-Year State Plan 2023-27
    2. Attend an orientation webinar with other grant recipients.
    3. Complete projects that develop or enhance programs and services to address a specific issue or meet an identified community need.
    4. Evaluate the impact of the project.
    5. Purchase items tied to the grant project. Costs must have an educational component.
    6. Not use grant funds for existing operational expenses. No supplanting.
  3. Allowable Expenditures. A grantee may only use program funds for allowable costs, which includes the requirement that costs be reasonable and necessary for the accomplishment of program objectives. The following is an abbreviated list of allowable grant expenses. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. Applicants should contact the ICfL if they are unsure if their proposed idea/expenditure is allowable.
    1. Compensation including salaries and wages for staff involved in planning and providing services related to Library Enhancement Grant activities. This is intended to support the library with additional salary funds needed to expand services or complete project objectives and not replace existing salaries.
    2. Materials and supplies to implement the grant program.
    3. Equipment used for Library Enhancement Grant purposes. Equipment includes property (and information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost of $10,000 or more. Equipment must be pre-approved in writing by the ICfL.
    4. Professional and consultant services such as those for translation, tutoring, guest speakers or facilitators, asset mapping, or community partner programming.
    5. Services. Grant funds may only be used to pay for services provided during the official grant period.
    6. Advertising or publicity specifically related to the grant such as publishing dates and times of program/activities. No more than 10% may be spent on advertising and publicity.
  4. Non-Allowable Expenditures. The following is an abbreviated list of non-allowable grant expenses. It is not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive. Applicants should contact the ICfL if they are unsure if a cost is allowable. The following items are not allowable grant expenses:
    1. Food and beverages. Food is allowable if used primarily as a supply in a learning activity.
    2. Capital expenditures related to the purchase of real property, buildings, or motor vehicles.
    3. Construction expenditures related to the improvement or expansion of buildings and facilities.
    4. Advertising or publicity not related directly to the programs carried out through the grant.
    5. Promotional items and memorabilia, including models, gifts, and souvenirs.
    6. General purpose supplies and materials including technology, which is not specifically intended to serve the community. Assistive technology and equipment is allowable if it is necessary for executing the grant project.
    7. Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable, except where specific costs that might otherwise be considered entertainment have a programmatic purpose, which is library specific, and are pre-approved in the grant application/agreement budget.
    8. Furniture (unless it is necessary to support an LSTA-funded program.
    9. If the cost does not have an educational component, it is a NO.
  5. Reporting Requirements. The library agrees to document grant expenditures through receipts, payroll reports, and accounting system reports. Spending documentation must be submitted with the final report. Grant funds must be fully expended by the end of the grant period in accordance with all grant requirements. If a grantee anticipates that grant funds will be unspent by the end of the grant period, they must contact the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ grant program lead as soon as possible to develop and implement a plan to fully expend the remaining funds before the end of the grant period. While the return of unspent funds remains an option, it is strongly discouraged. Failure to fully expend grant funds may be considered in future funding decisions.
  6. Records Retention. The grantee must retain grant records for a period of three years following the end of the award period. Records include the grant application/agreement, award letter, correspondence, reports, financial records, and receipts.
  7. Acknowledgement. This grant is administered by the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) and is made possible with funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), award number LS-260819-OLS-26, Assistance Listing Number 45.310 State Library Program. Please acknowledge the IMLS and ICfL in signage, brochures, websites, press releases, and public events funded by or describing this grant program. The funding for this grant is authorized by the Library Services and Technology Act, as amended (LSTA) (20 U.S.C. § 9101 et seq.). These funds are governed by the purposes and priorities set forth by the US Congress, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Uniform Guidance (2 C.F.R. 200).
  8. Funding. The ICfL plans to disburse funds to awarded libraries at the beginning of the grant period. A check will be mailed from the State of Idaho to the W-9 address on file. An organization may choose to sign up for electronic deposits by contacting the ICfL. Grant funds must be fully expended by the end of the grant period in accordance with all grant requirements. If a grantee anticipates that grant funds will be unspent by the end of the grant period, they must contact the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ grant program lead as soon as possible to develop and implement a plan to fully expend the remaining funds before the end of the grant period. While the return of unspent funds remains an option, it is strongly discouraged. Failure to fully expend grant funds may be considered in future funding decisions.
  9. Changes.  Awarded organizations are required to submit significant changes to their grant budget or project plan to the ICfL. This will ensure proposed changes continue to meet the goals and purpose of the grant and include allowable expenses. Changes involving 10% or more of the budget, budget categories, or project plan, will generally be approved through a written grant amendment form. Changes affecting 10% or less of the grant budget or project are typically approved through email

V. Eligibility

This grant is open to public, tribal and special libraries in Idaho. One application/award per library legal entity per grant cycle.

The applicant/grantee is the public-serving library, no direct reimbursement to employees is allowed.

Director or board approval must be secured prior to submitting the application.

For definitions of library types, and eligibility, see ICfL’s grant eligibility requirements.

To apply for this grant, the applicant must provide the library’s 12-character alphanumeric non-proprietary Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number from the federal System of Award Management (SAM). The UEI is a requirement for grantees receiving federal funds administered by the ICfL and replaces the requirement for a 9-digit DUNS number. Obtaining a UEI is free, but can take upwards of a week to several months if your entity is not already in the SAM system. Please see the SAM website and the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ UEI guide for more information. 

VI. Selection Process and Agreement Instrument

Applications deemed eligible and complete will be ranked by an ICfL grant review committee using a scoring rubric based upon the application narrative questions. Each narrative question identifies the number of associated points for that question. Grant reviewers may also consider the overall project budget and the geographic distribution of applicants when ranking.

Official award notifications will be signed by the grantee’s authorizing official and the ICfL authorizing official, the State Librarian, or alternate assigned official. The completed application signed by the applicant, along with the official award notification signed by all authorizing officials, will serve as the agreement/contract for this grant.

VII. Federal Certifications and Assurances

This program is brought to you by the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) and was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Applicants receiving federal grant funds administered by the ICfL must agree to comply with the following federal assurances and certifications.

Nondiscrimination

The applicant certifies that it will comply with the following nondiscrimination statues and their implementing regulations:

  1.  Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq.
  2. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq.
  3. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.,
    including § 794 (IMLS applies the regulations in 45 C.F.R. Part 1181 in determining
    compliance with Section 504 as it applies to recipients of Federal assistance)
  4. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, 20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.
  5. The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1975, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 6101 et
  6. seq.
  7. All other applicable federal nondiscrimination statutes.

Grantees are advised to read and understand the Attorney General’s Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination (July 29, 2025).

Debarment and Suspension

The applicant shall comply with 2 C.F.R. part 3185 and 2 C.F.R. part 180, as applicable. The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that neither the applicant nor any of its principals:

  1. Are presently excluded or disqualified;
  2. Have been convicted within the preceding three years of any of the offenses listed in 2 C.F.R. §180.800(a) or had a civil judgment rendered against it or them for one of those offenses within that time period;
  3. Are presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (Federal, State, or local) with commission of any of the offenses listed in 2 C.F.R. §180.800(a); or
  4. Have had one or more public transactions (Federal, State, or local) terminated within the preceding three years for cause or default.

Where the applicant is unable to certify to any of the statements in this certification, the authorized representative shall attach an explanation.

The applicant is required to comply with 2 C.F.R. part 180 subpart C (Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) as a condition of participation in the award. The applicant is also required to communicate the requirement to comply with 2 C.F.R. part 180 subpart C (Responsibilities of Participants Regarding Transactions Doing Business with Other Persons) to persons at the next lower tier with whom the applicant enters into covered transactions.

Federal Debt Status

The authorized representative, on behalf of the applicant, certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that the applicant is not delinquent in the repayment of any Federal debt, including but not limited to unpaid Federal tax liability.

Prohibition Against Lobbying, Publicity, and Propaganda

In accordance with Federal appropriations law, no funds provided through this grant or contract may be used for publicity or propaganda purposes for the preparation, distribution, or use of any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, electronic communication, radio, television, or video presentation designed to support or defeat the enactment of legislation before the Congress or any State or local legislature or legislative body or designed to support or defeat any proposed or pending regulation, administrative action, or order issued by the executive branch of any State or local government. No IMLS funds may be used to pay the salary or expenses of any grant or contract recipient, or agent acting for such recipient, related to any activity designed to influence the enactment of legislation, appropriations, regulation, administrative action or Executive order proposed or pending before the Congress or any State government, State legislature or local legislature or legislative body.

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

For applicants entering into a grant or cooperative agreement in excess of $100,000 (as required by 31 U.S.C. § 1352), the applicant certifies to the best of his or her knowledge and belief that:

  1. No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid, by or on behalf of the authorized representative, to any person for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of an agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with the awarding of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
  2. If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be paid to any person (other than a regularly employed officer or employee of the applicant, as provided in 31 U.S.C. § 1352) for influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a Member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement, the authorized representative shall complete and submit Standard Form LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,” in accordance with its instructions.
  3. The authorized representative shall require that the language of this certification be included in the award documents for all subawards at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.

This certification is a material representation of fact upon which reliance is placed when the transaction is made or entered into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making or entering into the transaction imposed by 31 U.S.C. § 1352. Any person who fails to file the required certification shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not more than $100,000 for each such failure.

Trafficking in Persons

The applicant must comply with Federal law pertaining to trafficking in persons. Under 22 U.S.C. §7104(g), any grant, contract, or cooperative agreement entered into by a Federal agency under which funds are to be provided to a private entity shall include a condition that authorizes the Federal agency (IMLS) to terminate the grant, contract, or cooperative agreement, or take other authorized actions, if the grantee or any subgrantee, or the contractor or any subcontractor, engages in, or uses labor recruiters, brokers, or other agents who engage in trafficking in persons, the procurement of a commercial sex act, the use of forced labor, or acts that directly support or advance trafficking in persons.

Internet Safety

The applicant shall comply with Idaho Code 33-2741, if applicable. If Federal funds are used to purchase computers used to access the internet or to pay for direct costs associated with accessing the internet, the authorized representative provides assurances that the applicant is in compliance with 20 U.S.C. § 9134(f), which sets out standards relating to internet safety for libraries that do not receive services at discount rates under § 254(h)(6) of 47 U.S.C. The Applicant must certify compliance with the applicable Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements.

Whistleblower Protections

An employee of a recipient or subrecipient must not be discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as a reprisal for disclosing to a person or body described in paragraph (a)(2) of 41 U.S.C. 4712 information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of gross mismanagement of a Federal contract or grant, a gross waste of Federal funds, an abuse of authority relating to a Federal contract or grant, a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or a violation of law, rule, or regulation related to a Federal contract (including the competition for or negotiation of a contract) or grant. The recipient and subrecipient must inform their employees in writing of employee whistleblower rights and protections under 41 U.S.C. 4712. See statutory requirements for whistleblower protections at 10 U.S.C. 4701, 41 U.S.C. 4712, 41 U.S.C. 4304, and 10 U.S.C. 4310.

Drugfree Workplace

The applicant must comply with drug-free workplace requirements in Subpart B (or Subpart C, if the recipient is an individual) of 2 CFR part 3186, which adopts the Government wide implementation (2 CFR part 182) of sec. 5152–5158 of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100–690, Title V, Subtitle D; 41 U.S.C. 701–707). This includes, but is not limited to: making a good faith effort, on a continuing basis, to maintain a drug-free workplace; publishing a drug-free workplace statement; establishing a drug-free awareness program for employees; taking actions concerning employees who are convicted of violating drug statutes in the workplace; and identifying (either at the time of application or upon award, or in documents kept on file in the recipient’s offices) all known workplaces under federal awards.

VIII. Application Instructions, Questions, Budget, and Certifications

Application Instructions

The application must be submitted on or before October 31 at 11:55 p.m. MT. This application will serve as your official grant agreement if you are notified in writing that you have been approved for funding. The ICfL will notify all applicants whether they were selected for funding.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact any of the following ICfL staff members:

Clay Ritter, Public Library Consultant, clay.ritter@libraries.idaho.gov or (208) 639-4177

Jamie Thill, Financial Strategy Library Consultant, jamie.thill@libraries.idaho.gov or (208) 639-4153

Rosie Espinoza, Grants Specialist, rosie.espinoza@libraries.idaho.gov or (208) 639-4146

Application Questions

  1.  Title of Proposed Project:
  2. IMLS Intent. Select one of the IMLS focal areas and intents that your project addresses:
    1. Institutional Capacity – improve the library workforce
    2. Institutional Capacity – improve the library’s physical and technology infrastructure
    3. Institutional Capacity – improve library operations
    4. Lifelong Learning – improve users’ general knowledge and skills
    5. Information Access – improve users’ ability to discover information resources
    6. Information Access – improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources
  3. Community needs (500 words or less): Demonstrate that your community has a critical need for this project by addressing each of the following questions and providing supporting evidence: (1) Who is your target audience? (2) What specific challenges do these groups face that are not currently being adequately addressed? (3) What evidence or data have you gathered to support that these challenges exist? (4) What are the potential consequences if these challenges are not addressed?
  4. Project Proposal. Provide a clear description of the project, detail all planned project activities and answer the following questions: (500 words or less):
    1. How will the project respond to the critical community needs identified in the Community Needs section?
    2. In what ways will the project create meaningful change?
    3. What specific impacts can realistically be achieved within the project timeline?
  5. Explain how the project will be promoted to the target audience (150 words or less).
  6. Describe how you will evaluate the overall success of your project

Budget and Narratives

This section asks you to indicate the amount of funds for each category and includes a full description of how you propose to use funds. See notes below for each category:

Personnel

Salaries/Wages/Benefits: Category = Personnel

Compensation including salaries and wages for staff involved in planning and providing services related to Library Enhancement Grant activities. This is intended to support the library with additional salary funds needed to expand services or complete project objectives and not replace existing salaries. Refers to wages paid to library employees (staff on payroll) who are directly involved in carrying out the project. In your response, indicate which library staff with receive grant funds, how many hours will be dedicated to grant activities and funded with grant monies, rate of pay to include fringe benefits, and specific grant activities that are compensated. These must be IN ADDITION to the staff member’s current contracted work week.

Consultants/Contracts

Consultant Fees: Category = non-personnel

Professional and consultant services such as those for translation, tutoring, guest speakers or facilitators, asset mapping, or community partner programming. This refers to an individual who is not on the library’s payroll. In your response, indicate the contractors you will hire, specify what they are being hired to do, their rate of pay and total sum.

Supplies/Materials

Category = non-personnel

Materials and supplies to implement the grant program. Items with a per unit cost under $10,000. In your response be descriptive and provide actual costs when available; however, we know you don’t have all your materials selected or prices gathered, so estimates are acceptable. List the item name, quantity and cost.

Equipment

Category = non-personnel

Equipment used for Library Enhancement Grant purposes. Equipment includes property (and information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost of $10,000 or more. Equipment must be pre-approved in writing by the ICfL.

Services

Category = non-personnel

Grant funds may only be used to pay for services provided during the official grant period. This includes printing of promotional materials. Advertising or publicity specifically related to the grant such as publishing dates and times of programs/activities. No more than 10% may be spent on advertising and publicity. In your response, be as descriptive as possible of the service identified, such as the name of the media outlet for advertising, or the subscription service for hot spots.

Application Certification and Agreement

You will be asked to review each statement, and by checking the boxes in the application, you are providing your electronic agreement to the statements below. The signed application will also serve as your Grant Agreement, should your application be awarded.

  1. I certify that I have read the grant information and requirements outlined in this application.
  2. If awarded, the library agrees to meet the grant requirements outlined in this application/agreement.
  3. If awarded, the applicant’s legal entity agrees to fully expend the award by the end of the grant period in accordance with all grant requirements. If a grantee anticipates that grant funds will be unspent by the end of the grant period, they must contact the Idaho Commission for Libraries’ grant program lead as soon as possible to develop and implement a plan to fully expend the remaining funds before the end of the grant period. While the return of unspent funds remains an option, it is strongly discouraged. Failure to fully expend grant funds may be considered in future funding decisions.
  4. I certify that I have the authority to submit this application on behalf of my organization.
  5. I certify that my library will maintain grant records and receipts for three years after the end of the award period.
  6. By applying to this grant, the library agrees it is compliant with the ICfL’s grant eligibility requirements as they relate to the acceptance and use of funds for this project.
  7. As an authorized representative, I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the applicant is in compliance with the federal assurances and certifications outlined in this application/agreement.
  8. I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief that the information provided herein is true, complete, and accurate. I am aware that the provision of false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, or the omission of any material fact, may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative consequences including, but not limited to violations of U.S. Code Title 18, Sections 2, 1001, 1343 and Title 31, Sections 3729-3730 and 3801-3812.