• Several national grants support libraries.library books image by Daughterson from Fotolia.com
  
  In a declining economy, libraries can face budget challenges including closures, staff layoffs and decreased hours of operation. However, according to the American Library Association, when economic times are tough, the public uses library services more than ever. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that patrons nationwide visit the library to use free Internet access to apply for jobs and unemployment benefits, to check out DVDs and fiction titles, and to read magazines. Several national grant opportunities support libraries.
  
  

American Heritage Preservation Grants

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services offers grants to libraries through the American Heritage Preservation Grants program. The program's goal is "to raise awareness and fund preservation of treasures held in small and mid-sized museums, libraries and archives that convey the essential character and experience of the United States," according to grant guidelines. Grants range up to $3,000 and can be used to preserve artworks, books, documents, specimens and other historically significant items. Preference is given to proposals from small libraries. Nonprofit libraries; state, county or city government-operated libraries; school, college, university and research libraries; academic department libraries; digital libraries; library consortiums; and library associations that operate within the U.S. and its territories are eligible to apply.
  
  Institute of Museum and Library Services
  
  1800 M Street NW
  
  9th Floor
  
  Washington, DC 20036
  
  202-653-4662
  
  imls.gov
  
  

Framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities

• The Institute of Museum and Library Services' Framework for Digitally Inclusive Communities program provides grant funding to libraries. Successful grant proposals will "develop a framework that identifies the overarching principles as well as the elements or key characteristics of organizations and communities that foster digital inclusion," according to the grant guidelines. Projects must have the overarching goal of increasing libraries' ability to provide information resources to the public. Grants range up to $150,000. Public, private, nonprofit, college, university and research libraries that operate within the 50 states and U.S. territories are eligible to apply.
  
  Institute of Museum and Library Services
  
  1800 M Street NW
  
  9th Floor
  
  Washington, DC 20036
  
  202-653-4730
  
  imls.gov
  
  

Archives-Detailed Processing Projects

• The National Archives' National Historical Publications and Records Commission offers grants to libraries through the Archives-Detailed Processing Projects program. Grants fund projects involving "detailed processing and preservation of collections of national significance" and collections with "high research demand or substantial preservation challenges," according to the grant guidelines. Successful proposals include plans to process and describe cataloged materials at a series or file level. Grantees must have the capacity to submit finished records to national library catalogs and disseminate information about collections to the public. Grants range up to $200,000 over one to three years. Nonprofits, colleges, universities, state or local government institutions, and Native American tribal organizations are eligible to apply.
  
  Historical Publications and Records Commission
  
  8601 Adelphi Road
  
  College Park, MD 20740
  
  202-357-5487
  
  archives.gov