"As community demand continues to ramp up, organizations representing the vast majority of North American public libraries today released a joint statement calling for change in licensing for digital content. The explosion in usage is straining public library budgets and dragging down wait lists for readers in ways that are not sustainable.
While libraries are able to purchase physical books and lend them indefinitely, digital content is typically licensed to libraries for a limited time, check-out limit, or both. And, while consumers pay $13 for an e-book on average, libraries typically spend magnitudes more for a two-year license, often $55 or more..."
VLA Launches New Forum Dedicated to Trustees and Friends
June 3, 2026
Join the newly formed Virginia Library Association "Library Trustees and Friends Forum"!
The forum is just getting started, but was "created to foster opportunities for trustees, friends of the library, foundation members, and other library advocates from around the state to network on common interests and to cooperate together to create better libraries and library services in Virginia. Whether you're currently serving, have served in the past, or simply believe in the power of libraries, your voice matters."
This is a great new resource for our Trustees and Friends across the Commonwealth. If you're interested in joining the forum, fill out this FORM. Stay tuned for more from the group as things continue to move forward!
ADVOCACY CENTER
Sign Up with the Virginia Library Association as an Advocate!
Click HEREand 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.
Already signed up? Click HEREto access everything through the ALA eLearning Platform!
On hiatus from June through August
Registration Now Open: July 28-30, 2026
This interactive three-day virtual event will feature expert speakers on current topics facing library Trustees, Friends, Foundations, and staff who work with them.
Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters.
Enjoy exclusive access to keynote speakers and authors.
Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing).
Free registration for Virginia library stakeholders
What is all the hype about relationships with grantmakers? Why isn’t a well-written proposal *enough* to get the grant award?! This course will strengthen your relationship-building efforts and grant writing results in your grant-seeking strategy. In this live webinar, we talk briefly about *why* relationships with grantmakers are important. We will share ways to learn if a grantmaker has the capacity to have relationships with potential grantees prior to submitting an award versus what their preference is for communication prior to an award.
From Passion to Protection: 10 HR Essentials Every Nonprofit Leader Can’t Ignore
Nonprofit leaders are driven by mission - but without strong HR practices, risk can quickly follow. This session covers the top 10 HR essentials to help you stay compliant, strengthen hiring and documentation, and lead your team with confidence. Walk away with practical tools to protect your organization, support your people, and focus on what matters most: your mission.
Recalibrate Your Events to Fuel Year-Round Fundraising
Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, ACFRE, ACNP, for a workshop focused on getting the most out of your organization’s special events. Chad will review the true purpose and ideal revenue model for events. He’ll also review concrete steps to grow year-round revenue by converting event attendees to annual donors and event sponsors to corporate partners. Finally, he will also provide some real world examples of unique fundraising events that have broken the mold and became donor. It’s an “all things events” presentation and everything is on the table.
An introduction to the fundamentals of facility stewardship. Covers the building life cycle, the leadership role in asset care, and how facility condition impacts service quality, safety, and public trust.
Key Topics:
Building life-cycle stages
Leadership’s role in maintenance and planning
Safety and compliance basics
Building stewardship as a public value proposition
(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.)
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.
Grants range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for book purchases; they cannot be used for administrative or operational purposes. Provides grants for purchasing children's fiction or non-fiction books. Hardcopy application only.
Application Closes: All applications must be postmarked by August 15
Grants range from $7,500 to $32,500 towards addressing the root causes of poverty. Funding focuses on improving access to food, stable housing, education, workforce development, and support for veterans and their families. One application per organization per calendar year.
Application Deadline: January 15, May 15, September 15
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.
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
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 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
BOOKS
titles
Click on the image to learn more about each title, and then use your local library to request them from the Library of Virginia.
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 Services (IMLS).
