Grants for Public Library Systems

The grant period is from July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026.

What Can Staff Development funds be used for?

Staff Development grants are awarded on a formula basis based on the number of staff in a county library system. These funds may be used for:

• Staff to pursue continuing studies classes in pursuit of a degree
• Registration & conference fees for library staff, as well as travel & hotel
• Per diems for food while traveling for work are now allowed with federal funds
• Paying outside speakers to come into libraries to train staff
• Paying for webinars or other online training
• Books and other collection materials that support staff development
• Staff Development funds may be used to pay for institutional memberships.

Staff Development - Unallowable Costs

Per our federal grantor, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Staff Development funds may not be used to pay for individual professional memberships such as ALA or MLA. Staff Development funds may be used to pay for institutional memberships. You can read guidance directly from IMLS here.

How to Submit for Reimbursement of Staff Development Funds

For all reimbursements, please include:

• The title, date, location of the conference or training, and the number of staff who participated. For example, "3 staff, Technology Librarians Conference, July 30, 2025, Sante Fe, NM."
• Reimbursements submitted without full details will be denied. The grant liaison who denies your reimbursement will contact you via phone or email and let you know what you can do to correct your submission. 

Interim and Final Reports

Interim and final reports are required for all Staff Development grants. Even if your library system has not spent any funds by the time the interim report is due, you still need to complete the interim report to reflect this information. The interim report is an important part of "checking in" with sub-grantees (Maryland public libraries) to make sure that the grant is on track and will be completed by the deadline.

Maryland Library Association and Delaware Library Association Conference

As funds allow, MSLA offers funds for public libraries to send staff to the Maryland Library Association and Delaware Library Association Conference in Cambridge, Maryland.

The Maryland State Library Agency combined the Staff Development Grant and the MLA Conference Grant Awards several years ago to streamline the process. Grant awards are calculated on a formula based on the number of staff and library branches.