|
Trustees, Friends, & Foundations |
March 2026 |  |
|
|
|
Welcome to the Trustees, Friends, & Foundations Newsletter!
A monthly update on items relevant to those
who work as or with Library Trustees, Friends, and Foundations. | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| While this does not directly affect Virginia public libraries, it could affect other legislation at the state and federal levels, so it's important to stay aware.
January 30, 2026
"In December 2025, the Supreme Court declined to review a Fifth Circuit Court case about whether the government can remove books from a public library’s shelves. This guide provides an overview of the case and explains what it says about the right to read in libraries.
What was Little v. Llano County about?
In 2021, government officials in Llano County, Texas removed 17 books from its public library. Community members sued, claiming that the book removal violated their constitutional rights. The district court agreed with the plaintiffs, and in 2024, a three-judge panel at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that decision. In 2025, the same court heard the case again, en banc, and reversed the lower court's decision, dismissing the plaintiffs' claims. (An en banc hearing includes all the judges on the court.)..." |
|
|
| March 2, 2026
"Bad-news fatigue is real for library advocates who feel like every year is more hostile than the one before it. Since about 2021, coordinated groups of parents and elected officials, with support from well-funded networks, have increasingly pushed to outsource librarians’ curatorial authority through parental consent policies and external review boards, all to exert greater control over what books are available on library shelves. It’s a lot to take in.
But in 2025, there were notable examples of voters, courts, and candidates across the country affirming the profession’s core values of intellectual freedom and inclusive access. ...we highlight five recent victories for libraries, library workers, and their communities..." |
|
|
|
|
Sign Up with the Virginia Library Association as an Advocate!
|
|
|
Click HERE and sign up for the VLA Advocacy Center Mailing List to make sure you're receiving Virginia action alerts and updates on policy issues related to the library field. This will help you keep abreast of legislation that could affect your local library and community.
|
|
| |
UNITED FOR LIBRARIES RESOURCES |
|
|
|
 |
Virginia library staff and stakeholders (folks like
you!) have access to a whole host of resources from United for Libraries.
Click to get the CHEAT SHEET signed up and in.
|
Already signed up? Click HERE to access everything through the ALA eLearning Platform! |
|
|
|  |
No Learning Live information for April or beyond has been posted as of the publication of this newsletter. |
|
VIRTUAL RETREAT
Shaping the Future for Your Friends of the Library Saturday, March 21, 2026 -- 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
No Cost to Register for VA Libraries!
Presentations and panels will be recorded and available on-demand. Breakout rooms activities will not be recorded.
Friends groups make a lasting difference for their libraries. Learn how to ensure your library Friends have a bright future and strategic direction. The program will include panel presentations, activities, and idea sharing.
Agenda/Topics - Part 1 – Friends Group Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement (presentation and breakout activity)
- Part 2 – Friends and Foundations Working Together (panel discussion)
|
|
|
|
|
| Boards & Asking Styles: A Roadmap to Success |
Every board has a distinct personality made up of all the members' personalities. In today's times it's more important than ever for your board to be the strongest it can be, and understanding your board's individual and collective personalities is key to building that strength. They must learn to be a good nonprofit board member!... Learn the personality of your board and how it is impacting board meetings (especially today's virtual ones), leadership, strategic planning, and how to get your boards to fundraise. Understanding your board members' Styles will make your board stronger in every way. Saddle up - it's time for nonprofit board training!
(Occurs: 3.26.26 - 3p) |
| Register Here
|
| |
|
Conscientious, Humble, and Stuck: Why Libraries Struggle to Market Themselves, Show Their Value, and Ask for Resources | |
Grab your coffee, water or tea and join us for an informal and enlightening conversation about marketing and how we can be more effective.
Why do libraries that change lives every day continuously struggle to successfully show their value, promote themselves, and make the case for more financial and staffing resources? This episode unpacks the six cultural traits that shape how libraries communicate—and why those same traits often hold them back from telling their story boldly, visibly, and developing strategies that get results.
(Occurs: 3.30.26 - 2p) |
| Register Here
| |
|
|
Designing a Bilingual Fundraising Strategy That Serves Your Community |
This workshop explores how nonprofits can test and refine bilingual fundraising messaging across newsletters, donor emails, and social media. Participants will learn how to use A/B testing and performance data to understand what language resonates, without compromising authenticity or community trust. The session emphasizes practical, repeatable systems for improving engagement and fundraising outcomes.
(Occurs: 3.31.26 - 11a) |
| Register Here
|
|
|
|
Trustee, Friends, and Foundation members have access to the Library of Virginia's Niche Academy, a place for online learning.
Please note, if you register with a non-library issued e-mail address, someone from the Library of Virginia will follow up with you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library before you can access the content. |
|
|
|
|
Host a Traveling Exhibit -- Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire
18 libraries will be selected to host a new traveling exhibit, Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works that Inform, Empower & Inspire. The exhibit highlights the cultural legacy of The Pulitzer Prizes; connects new audiences with Prize-winners and their work; and promotes the role of journalism, books, drama and music in a democratic society. Selectees receive the 1400 square foot exhibition on loan for roughly six weeks, a $3000 allowance to support public programs, customizable publicity materials and media training, and ongoing support from The Pulitzer Prizes and ALA, etc.
Application Open: Now through March 27, 2026 Notification: June 2026 |
|
Trust for Civic Life - Civic Hubs Grant
20-25 grants per year, each for $250,000-$500,000, for a three (3)- year period. Trust for Civic Life funds community-led, locally grounded projects in rural areas that bring people together to solve shared problems and strengthen everyday civic life. Focuses on rural communities specifically in the Black Belt, Central Appalachia, Tribal Lands, Southwest Border, and communities in economic and demographic transition in the rural U.S. Typical projects include creating or expanding "civic hubs" and local programs that convene residents across differences, host community events, activate public spaces, support youth leadership, and foster collaboration among local organizations, governments, and residents.
Application Open: February - June 2026 Awarded: July 2026 |
|
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants [Quarterly]
Grants from $250 to $5000 awarded to address specific community needs. Projects must align with focus areas of Creating Opportunity, Advancing Sustainability, Strengthening Community, and/or Centering Racial Equity. Applicants must be within the service area of a Walmart store, Sam's Club, or distribution center.
Application Open: Runs on a quarterly basis Notification: Not stated |
|
T-Mobile Hometown Grants [Quarterly]
Up to $50,000 for shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving grant funds. For communities with a population of 50,000 or less.
Application Open: Runs on a quarterly basis; portal closes on the last day of each quarter and reopens on the first of the month of the new quarter Notification: Within 60 days after entries have closed for the quarter |
|
Bolger Foundation - Capital Improvement Grants [Spring & Fall]
Grants of $10,000 to $250,000 are provided for capital projects that will have an ongoing impact, such as constructing new facilities, acquiring land, or expanding existing structures; upgrading or improving current buildings and/or grounds; and purchasing significant and long-lasting equipment, e.g., new computers or other technology. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible.
Application Open: Runs twice per year -- Spring: Open from November 1 - February 1 // Fall: Open from June 1 - September 1 Notification: Within six (6) weeks after the conclusion of each application period |
|
Community Heart & Soul Planning, Technical Assistance, and Seed Grant Program [Rolling]
Community Heart & Soul is a community development process that engages residents in identifying what matters most to the community and how to build lasting change. Activities and objectives are determined by communities, and projects have included volunteerism, leadership, business development, healthcare access, social programs, transportation, broadband, and emergency preparedness, among others. Grants are $10,000 but require a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or partnering organization.
Application Open: Rolling application process |
|
|
|
|
| |
Click on the image to learn more about each title, and then use your local library to request them from the Library of Virginia.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I feel calm in libraries. I think it's because everyone else is so calm, and everyone's working or researching or something. It's almost like a movie set, and I have to pretend I'm working too. Everyone should have a library card. It's like a bicycle for your brain."
|
|
|
- Actor Jason Schwartzman, in "Jason Schwartzman Finds Peace at the Library," The New York Times, November 29, 2025.
|
|
|
|
|
This newsletter is brought to you by the Library Development division of the Library of Virginia. Funding for this is provided through the Virginia General Assembly and the Institute for Museum and Library Studies (IMLS).
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
