The Global Library Investment Grant, established in 2021, assists international libraries in addressing significant challenges within their institutions or advancing their professional development. Beginning in 2025, up to a total of $10,000 may be awarded annually.

With the goal of supporting a variety of needs for librarians around the world, grant funding will be awarded to support projects that fall into the following categories.

In-person Training, such as:

  • A professional development opportunity for library staff, either individual or group
  • Sponsoring a regional conference or training opportunity
  • Subsidizing a training that specifically uses The Librarian’s Manual

Technology Support, including:

  • The purchase of equipment for internet access, student use, or the improvement of staff workflow
  • Assistance in software purchases or upgrades
  • Innovative solutions for technology support

Collection Development

This category provides funds up to $5000 (US), one time per library, for the purpose of collection improvement. Training and access to ACL materials to develop each library’s unique collection can also be provided through the grant.

Application Guidelines

  1. Be as thorough and detailed as possible in your application process. Funds are limited and this is a competitive process.
  2. The same library/librarians cannot receive Spidell support funds more than one time within two calendar years.
  3. A library’s/librarian’s total funding may not exceed $8000 over 3 consecutive years
  4. Approval of funding for projects will be as follows:
    1. Funding application received by Oct 18
    2. Reviewed by a selection committee and recipients selected
    3. All applicants will be notified​
  5. Approval timeline
    1. Applications will be received through Oct 18
    2. The grant recipients will be announced annually in the Spring
Apply for Grant

Timeline

Summer – Application Opens

October 18 – Deadline to Apply

Spring – Grant Recipient(s) Announced

23000
Total Amount Disbursed to Date

Grant Awarded

2023

CILA granted a total of $8000 for three international projects:

  • Upgrading of the library management system in the Philippines
  • Theological library training workshop in Vietnam
  • Professional development training for an international librarian from the Philippines

2022

A total of $7000 was granted to support two international projects:

  • Library automation upgrade in Lethoso
  • Library school training for successive Library Director in Guam

2021

The inaugural awarding of this grant totals over $8000 spread between 4 recipients in Botswana, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Kazakhstan. We were able to fund:

  • a librarian’s professional development,
  • technology and capital improvements,
  • the creation of an institutional repository,
  • and aid in the collection development of a Bible Institute.