The Pilcrow Foundation Rural Public Library Children's Book Grants

Deadlines: Annually, April 1 and October 1

The Pilcrow Foundation's mission is to provide new, quality, hardcover children's books to rural public libraries across the United States. The Children’s Book Project grants provide a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that contribute $200-$400 through local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 (retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books. Grant recipients can select from a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books best suited for their community, including award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations. 

Applications are accepted from independent rural public libraries and Native American Tribal libraries as well as libraries that are part of a county, regional, or cooperative system. Libraries must be located in a rural U.S. area, with a limited operating budget and an active children’s department, and raise $200-$400 through a local sponsor. Libraries with total operating budgets of less than $50,000 receive priority. A rural community is defined as typically more than 40 miles from an urban area (population over 50,000) and not a part of a metropolitan area. A rural town library system should serve a population under 10,000 (priority to community populations under 5,000). A rural county library system should serve a population under 20,000. 

For more details and the uncomplicated application process, visit the website: https://thepilcrowfoundation.org/childrens-book-project 

Rural public libraries in the United States that have suffered loss and damage due to recent natural disasters (flooding, fire, hurricanes, etc.) may be eligible for special non-matching book grants: Disaster Relief Grant information.