Stronger Together: Early Learning

Stronger Together: Early Learning is a state-funded opportunity that provides grants to help local libraries strengthen their roles as early learning community hubs and improve or expand early learning programs and services in their communities. The purpose of these grants is to support the critical role that libraries play in providing much needed wraparound services and resources, ensuring equitable access to opportunity for young children and their families across the state.

Eligibility

An applicant must be a California public library, or a California cooperative system, consortium or library membership organization. Cooperatives, consortia or library organizations must apply on behalf of a specific, defined group of affiliate libraries.

Requirements

All participating libraries will:

  • Partner with at least one organization
  • Adhere to grant reporting requirements
  • Participate in the monthly Community of Practice evaluation meetings

Additionally, libraries with Early Learning Hub grant will:

  • Work with mentor libraries to develop or enhance an early learning hub tailored to local community needs

View our Information Session Recording

Grant Details

Match requirements

A match is required for these grants, which may be cash, in-kind, or a combination of both. The match will be based on your library’s Local Income Per Capita (LIPC) level, which is derived from California Public Libraries Survey data:

  • For libraries in LIPC Level 1, a 20% match will be required.
  • For LIPC Level 2, a 25% match will be required.
  • For LIPC Level 3, a 30% match will be required.

The match is a percentage of funds requested, not a percentage of the total budget. For example, the 20% match on a $100,000 funding request would be $20,000. We will consider reductions in match on a limited, case-by-case basis.

To find your library’s LIPC, please check the State Library’s statistics webpage.

Partnership

Each funded project must have at least one partner. A partner is defined as an organization with which your library has a written agreement, and which provides resources to the project, either cash or in-kind, or both. Please note that any service provider who is paid with grant funds for their services is not a partner.

Project Details

Successful projects that are guided by the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of project planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Funded projects can include the purchase of supplies, technology, materials, and services that connect children, families, and caregivers with the resources they need to thrive. Proposals to help libraries develop or enhance early learning community hubs, providing wraparound services for early learners and their families as well as physical space for community partners to engage with the community and deliver tailored programming are especially encouraged. Proposals for program support for existing programs and services aimed at early learners that are underutilized, and other resources such as collections and equipment will also be considered.

The State Library prioritizes project requests submitted by local libraries with the lowest spending per capita.

Early Learning Hub Project or New Project?

Applicants were asked to choose an Early Learning Hub project or propose a new project. The details of these requirements are outlined below.

Early Learning Hub Projects

Libraries develop or enhance early learning hubs that provide families with easy, supported, and tailored access to high-quality early learning, school readiness, and other community resources. Public libraries are trusted, vital community spaces that create opportunities for family engagement and serve as one of the most important supports for children’s early development. Early learning hub projects will help libraries partner with community organizations to innovate and provide access to new services and technology, broaden community impact, and provide youth and families with opportunities that build skills, enrich imagination, and develop social-emotional skills that support whole child development and promote healthy futures.

Staff from libraries with well-established early learning hubs serve as mentors to successful library applicants to provide support as they develop their role as community hubs and connect young children and families with other programs that support literacy, learning, and health and wellness. Mentor libraries and Early Learning Hub grantees will participate in bi-monthly Community of Practice meetings to share best practices and help new libraries successfully implement community hubs tailored to local needs.

New Proposals

New proposals that directly address early learning local needs were welcomed as part of this project. Proposals that provide and improve access and extend library services to hard-to-reach and underserved populations are encouraged.

Additional Resources

Questions?

Please email the State Library’s Library Development Services Bureau with the subject line “Early Learning.”