Overview
Budget 2024 includes stable funding for public library boards and public library network supports. Your board will be eligible for the same provincial operating grant in 2024-2025 as you received in 2023-2024.
Detailed grant charts and grant application documents will be available in April.
Public Library Operating Grants are administered as per the Ministerial Grants Regulation and the Public Library Grant Program Guidelines.
The grant application deadline is June 15.
Applications will not be considered complete unless all required documentation has been received.
Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
2023-24 Library Operating Grant amounts
- 2023-24 Maximum Municipal Library Board Operating Grants
- 2023-24 Maximum Library System Board Grants
- 2023-24 Maximum On-Reserve, On Settlement Grants
2022-23 Library Operating Grant amounts
Help for the grant application process
- Applying for the Public Library Operating Grant: A checklist for municipal and intermunicipal library boards
- Companion Guide for the Preparation of the Statement of Receipts and Disbursements and Budget
- Completing the Direct Payments Form is a handout to assist Municipal Administrators. Provide this document along with the Direct Payment forms.
How to apply
In order to be considered eligible for funding, public library boards must submit the following documents as part of their grant application, on or before the deadline of June 15.
Submit all forms (except the Survey and Annual Report which is submitted via LibPAS) to Alberta Municipal Affairs, Public Library Services Branch (PLSB).
We only accept emailed or mailed copies. Original signatures are not required.
If you have any questions regarding your grant application:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-415-0294 (Jen Pringle, Public Library Grants Program)
Toll free: 310-0000 before the number (in Alberta)
Step 1. Fill out Application for Financial Assistance form
This form must be completed by a library board member or a library staff member authorized by the library board: 2023 Application for Financial Assistance.
Use the legal name of the library board on the application as stated on Section 3(4) of the Libraries Act.
Step 2. Submit the 2022 Statement of Receipts and Disbursements or financial review
Municipal and intermunicipal library boards may use the provided 2022 Statement of Receipts and Disbursements template for their financial review, or submit the financial review in the format provided by the financial reviewer.
The Statement of Receipts and Disbursements financial review must be completed by a person or firm considered acceptable by municipal council.
If the financial reviewer is not the same as the previous year, include a copy of the council resolution authorizing the new person or firm as financial reviewer with your grant application.
2022 Direct payments – Receipts and disbursements
This form is included as the last page of the 2022 Statement of Receipts and Disbursements template. It only needs to be printed off separately if you are submitting a financial review using another template.
If the municipality paid operating costs, such as utilities, insurance, building maintenance, in addition to the local appropriation, have these amounts recorded on the direct payment form.
This form must be completed and signed by a municipal administrator.
- 2022 Direct payments – Receipts and disbursements
- Completing the Direct Payments Form is a handout to assist Municipal Administrators. Provide this document along with the Direct Payment forms.
Step 3. Submit the 2023 Budget
Municipal and intermunicipal library boards may use the provided 2023 Budget template or submit their own budget document (remember to include the name of the library board).
The budget is required to evaluate the status of the application and to ensure that the local appropriation (that is, money from municipal council for operations) is enough for the board to receive the provincial operating grant.
The library board must receive a local appropriation from council of at least $2 per resident and be in compliance with the Libraries Act and regulation.
2023 budget direct payments
This form is included as the last page of the 2023 Budget template. It only needs to be printed off separately if you are submitting a budget using another template.
If the municipality anticipates paying operating costs, such as utilities, insurance and building maintenance, in addition to the local appropriation, have these amounts recorded on the direct payment form.
This form must be completed and signed by a municipal administrator.
- 2023 Direct payments – Budget
- Completing the Direct Payments Form is a handout to assist Municipal Administrators. Provide this document along with the Direct Payment forms.
Public library survey and annual report
To be eligible for funding, the survey and annual report must be completed and submitted electronically to PLSB by February 28. Because it is submitted online to PLSB through LibPAS, you do not need to send a paper copy with your grant application.
Contact
Connect with the Public Library Services Branch:
Phone: 780-427-4871
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4L4