Carnegie-built Rural Libraries Selected to Advance Adult Basic and Digital Literacy Through Literacy Bridges Grant Program

The Association for Rural & Small Libraries Announces Recipients of the Carnegie-Funded Literacy Bridges: Empowering 21st Century Communities Grant.

Seattle, WA — The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) is proud to announce the 66 library grant recipients selected for the Literacy Bridges: Empowering 21st Century Communities Grant Program, made possible through support from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, formerly Carnegie Corporation of New York. Each selected library will receive a $25,000 grant to develop and expand adult basic and digital literacy programming in their communities.

The recipient libraries serve small and rural communities across the United States, and will use their grants to address the growing demand for literacy skills that allow community members to participate fully in today's economy, access essential services, and engage in civic life.

ABOUT THE GRANT PROGRAM

The Literacy Bridges program is a two-year initiative designed to train library staff in Carnegie-built libraries located in rural and small communities to deliver integrated adult basic and digital literacy programs. Selected staff will participate in structured professional development cohorts, with monthly training sessions led by ARSL alongside peers from across the profession. Grant funds will support program implementation, professional development, and related travel.

Libraries were selected through a competitive, invitation-only application process. Applicants were evaluated on the literacy needs of their community and a demonstrated commitment to community-centered program design. Eligible libraries serve populations under 25,000 or are located more than 10 miles from an urbanized area.

GRANT RECIPIENTS

Cohort 1 | July 2026 through October 2027

•  Algona Public Library (IA)

•  Asotin County Library (WA)

•  Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library (IN)

•  Brownwood Community Library (TX)

•  Carroll Public Library (IA)

•  Clear Lake Public Library (IA)

•  Colfax Public Library (IA)

•  Coleraine Public Library (MN)

•  Columbus Public Library (WI)

•  Corsicana Public Library (TX)

•  East Cleveland Public Library (OH)

•  Holdrege Area Public Library (NE)

•  Huron Public Library (SD)

•  Latah County Free Library District (ID)

•  Lied Public Library, Clarinda (IA)

•  Lincoln Public Library (CA)

•  Madison Public Library (SD)

•  Mountain Home Public Library (ID)

•  Pella Public Library (IA)

•  Petersburg Public Library (IL)

•  Ponca Carnegie Library (NE)

•  Public Library of Enid and Garfield County (OK)

•  Pulaski County Public Library (KY)

•  Richard A. Mautino Memorial Library (IL)

•  Richfield Public Library (UT)

•  Salt Lake City Public Library Chapman Branch (UT)

•  Shawano County Library (WI)

•  Sterling Public Library (IL)

•  Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library (IN)

•  Valley City Barnes County Public Library (ND)

•  Van Buren Public Library (IN)

•  Waveland Brown Township Public Library (IN)

•  Whitefield Public Library (NH)

Cohort 2 | June 2027 through September 2028

•  Abilene Public Library (KS)

•  Atlantic Public Library (IA)

•  Baker County Library District (OR)

•  Boyne District Library (MI)

•  Carnegie Free Library of Beaver Falls (PA)

•  Carnegie Public Library, Clarksdale (MS)

•  Cherokee Public Library (IA)

•  Clyde Public Library (OH)

•  Dr. Grace O. Doane Alden Public Library (IA)

•  Elroy Public Library (WI)

•  Etowah Carnegie Public Library (TN)

•  Flora Monroe Township Public Library (IN)

•  Galva Public Library District (IL)

•  Gloversville Public Library (NY)

•  Hamburg Public Library (PA)

•  Kingston Library (NY)

•  Lake Agassiz Regional Library (MN)

•  Manistee County Library (MI)

•  Mattoon Public Library (IL)

•  McCracken County Public Library (KY)

•  McIntosh Memorial Library (WI)

•  Morristown Centennial Library (VT)

•  North Manchester Public Library (IN)

•  Orland Free Library (CA)

•  Oxford Public Library (IN)

•  Palestine Public Library (TX)

•  Peru Public Library (IL)

•  Rusk County Community Library (WI)

•  Stamford Carnegie Library (TX)

•  Talladega Armstrong-Osborne Public Library (AL)

•  Two Harbors Public Library (MN)

•  Union County Carnegie Library (SC)

•  West Liberty Public Library (IA)

QUOTES

"Rural and small libraries have always been at the heart of their communities, and this program recognizes the remarkable work happening in Carnegie-built libraries across the country. Literacy Bridges gives library staff the resources, training, and peer community to build programs that meet people where they are and to make a lasting difference in the lives of the adults they serve."

— Kate Laughlin, Executive Director, Association for Rural & Small Libraries

"Our library currently offers a limited number of adult basic and digital literacy programs, which are handled by our existing staff. We recognize that our patrons would benefit from expanded curricula but are restricted by staff capacity and shared responsibilities...This funding will help us develop a stronger, more expanded adult learning program. Our staff will benefit from program design skills, best practices, tips, ideas, and tools gained from the educational cohort activities, which would improve staff presentations. This grant will also help us facilitate partnerships with local entities, such as our senior center, nursing homes, professional groups, high school, community center, or Chamber of Commerce…Overall, this support will help us move from mostly reactive, drop-in help to a more proactive approach, giving adult learners more consistent opportunities to build essential literacy and digital skills. "

— Melanie Argo, Literacy Bridges Grant Recipient, Systems Librarian, Madison Public Library

"Andrew Carnegie's investment in free public libraries was rooted in the belief that access to knowledge should be available to everyone. We're pleased to support ARSL in helping Carnegie Libraries across the country expand their programs to meet the literacy needs of people in their communities today."

— Ambika Kapur, Program Director, Civic Participation, Education, Andrew Carnegie Foundation

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about the Literacy Bridges: Empowering 21st Century Communities Grant Program, visit arsl.org/2026-literacy-bridges.

ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION FOR RURAL & SMALL LIBRARIES
ARSL builds strong communities through advocacy, professional development, and elevating the impact of rural and small libraries. As the premier organization representing rural and small libraries, ARSL recognizes their unique needs and is committed to providing an environment that encourages excellence within this community of practice, supporting their goals of service and speaking on behalf of this important constituency.

The Andrew Carnegie Foundation, originally established as Carnegie Corporation of New York in 1911, works to reduce political polarization through grants that support ladders of opportunity and a more peaceful world. Its funding provides individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to improve their lives, participate fully in society, and advance peace.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Association for Rural & Small Libraries |  [email protected]

Angely Montilla, Andrew Carnegie Foundation  |  [email protected]

Issued June 30, 2026 by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)