This week, April 6–12, marks National Library Week, an annual celebration recognizing the vital role libraries play in our communities. The theme this year, “Drawn to the Library,” reflects the many ways libraries continue to bring people together—through books, programs, internet access, community events, and welcoming public space.

But even as we celebrate, many libraries across the country are facing growing challenges. Budget cuts, reduced local funding, and efforts to limit access to books are putting pressure on institutions that have long served as cornerstones of community life. These issues are not abstract or far away—they’re affecting our libraries right here in Vermont and New Hampshire.

For rural towns in particular, the public library may be one of the only places where children and families can reliably access free books, early literacy programs, and safe, inclusive spaces. CLiF has long partnered with public and school libraries, and we’ve seen how essential they are to nurturing a love of reading, especially in communities where resources are limited.

During National Library Week, we honor the librarians and library staff who continue to show up for their communities, often with fewer resources and growing demands. And we affirm our commitment to supporting libraries—not only through celebration, but through sustained investment and partnership.  

The CLiF Rural Library grant is one of the longest running grant programs in CLiF’s 27 year history. We recognize that this grant provides important support to small public libraries with very limited resources and budgets, and given its tried and true components, we have introduced few changes over the years. However, in light of current day events, we are making a few tweaks that we want to share. 

This grant has always offered new books for the public library; new books for the partner elementary school library; new giveaway books for students; and enrichment funds for the literacy activities at the library. While these elements will continue, we have expanded the grant to meet the rising needs of small libraries located in rural communities. 

One of the more subtle changes we’ve made concerns eligibility. Rather than limiting the grant exclusively to small-town libraries serving populations of 5,000 or less, we are instead asking applicants to self-identify as rural. We understand that it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what “rural” means, so if a library identifies as such, we are not out to dispute that characterization.  

Also new for 2025-26 is a grant-sponsored summer reading event with a CLiF author/illustrator presentation and book giveaway at the library or local partner site. We’ve added early childhood literacy kits for the library to add to circulation for children & families. The biggest addition is that the library will select one option worth $1000 from this menu:

•  Additional library books
• Children’s section upgrades 
• 1000 Books Before Kindergarten programming
• Summer, vacation week, homeschool, and/or afterschool programming
• Family literacy event 

The 2025-2026 Rural Library application is open now through May 25. Please reach out to Cassie with any questions.

Additionally, CLiF is excited to be partnering with Waterbury Public Library on an upcoming book discussion group around Ken Cadow’s Gather, the 2024 Vermont Reads book selection. For those local to CLiF’s Waterbury Center headquarters, we hope you’ll save the date for Wednesday, May 7 at 6:30pm. Please contact Mary Edith with questions.