Activities and Support

CLiF works closely with the public library, the local elementary school, and area preschools to provide extensive support over the course of one school year. This includes:

• New Books
  • $2,000 in new, high-quality children’s books for the public library (selected by public librarian).
  • $500 in new books for the school library (selected by school librarian).
  • New board books for children ages 0-5 served by the library, preschool, Head Start, or local child care center; librarians are encouraged to reach out to a new partner for delivering the books and doing a read aloud.
  • A book giveaway for all the students at the local elementary school to be held in May or June 2026 for a summer reading kickoff. Each student (grades preK-6) will get a new book to take home from a diverse selection provided by CLiF. The public and school librarians will showcase their summer reading programs.
• Summer Kickoff
  • CLiF author/illustrator visit and book giveaway at the library to kickoff the grant in Summer 2025 (optional).
• Author Visit
  • A CLiF author/illustrator visit at the local elementary school in Fall 2025. The public and school librarians will showcase their new library books purchased with the CLiF grant at this event.
• Menu options worth up to $1000 (select one)
  • Additional library books
  • Children’s section upgrades 
  • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten
  • Summer, vacation week, homeschool, and/or afterschool programming
  • Family literacy event (can be an add-on to an existing event)

Eligibility

• Public library in Vermont or New Hampshire
• Self-identify as “rural” – a guideline is that the U.S. Census Bureau defines a rural area as 5,000 people or less
• Limited budget; libraries with annual budget of less than $125,000 generally given preference
• Demonstrated need for CLiF support in an under-served community
• Ability to collaborate with the local elementary school
• Must be a minimum of five years since your last Rural Library grant
• Note: libraries can apply for a 2025 Summer Readers grant, this will not disqualify you for a Rural Library grant in 2025-26

Grant Application

The 2025-26 grant application will be live on April 1, 2025. Sign up for our e-newsletter to receive notification when it opens!