A Year of Growth
Grants and Funding Making an Impact
At LA County Library, we partner with the LA County Library Foundation to actively research, pursue, and manage grant funding that supports meaningful programs and services for the diverse communities we serve. As we look back on the past year, we’re excited to share the grants that have helped us grow, innovate, and expand our reach.
LA County was one of sixteen libraries nationwide to be awarded a $10,000 Building Capacity Grant to support New Americans by the American Library Association (ALA), a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. The funding is being used to revive many of our popular Citizenship in a Bag kits, host citizenship programs, promote citizenship programs and services, and implement new handheld translators to reduce language gaps at twelve libraries.
A $13,500 Groundworks Grant from Myriad Consulting, supported by California State Library, was awarded to LA County Library in support of preparing its Cultural Resource Centers for disasters, providing staff training and protecting their valuable collections.
Thanks to a $18,500 Arts and Youth Grant from the California Arts Council, LA County Library will continue its Music Stars introductory classes in guitar, keyboard, and drums in summer 2026.
And LA County’s Quality and Productivity Commission recently funded a program that will launch in 2026: a $200,000 grant from their Productivity Investment Fund will support new Filmmaking and Vlogging Kits and Classes–an expansion of the existing Tool Lending Library–with more information to come in the new year!
Music Stars Guitar Students at Lancaster Library
Unwavering Support from LA County Library Foundation
Our partner LA County Library Foundation – with thanks to generous donors like you – continues to support Library resources that brighten lives and communities. Funding from foundations, corporations, and you reflect the community’s love for the Library.
Thank you to all you donors, and to Amazon and The Capital Group, for providing flexible funding to meet pressing Library needs. Grants and individual donations supported a range of programs and resources, including: Summer Discovery Program, Annual Bookmark Contest, Freedom to Read activities, Books Unbanned, Next Chapter Writers’ Summit, books, eBooks, audiobooks, and much more.
Individual donors, The Capital Group, and Amazon also responded with compassion to help individuals and families impacted by the fires that swept through LA County last winter – enabling the Library to designate 10 libraries in or near the burn areas as Disaster Resource Centers and provide emergency kits, giveaway books for children, resources, and connection.
Individuals from LA County and throughout the country also gave generously to a fundraising campaign by your Library and Foundation and Altadena Library and Foundation to provide hotspots, hygiene products, diapers, and other resources for people impacted by the Eaton fire.
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu again funded a My Brother’s Keeper Peer Advocate position at his hometown Carson Library. Peer Advocates engage young people in Library programs and encourage community members to sign up for a Library card and learn, grow, and succeed.
Long-time partner Edison International again provided a grant for Careers in STEAM. In 2026, tweens and teens will dive into the Physics of Sports.
Students in next summer’s Math & Reading Stars program at 31 locations will each receive a support kit to help with their studies, thanks to a sizable grant from a private foundation.
As the year draws to a close, we look back on the year and all you’ve helped us accomplish. We are so very grateful for your generosity, and we look forward to the year ahead.
In this season of giving, we thank you and wish you peace and joy!
Attendees at West Hollywood Park during Next Chapter Writers’ Summit
Uchenna Nwosu and MBK mentor supporting My Brother’s Keeper program at LA County Library
At LA County Library, we partner with the LA County Library Foundation to actively research, pursue, and manage grant funding that supports meaningful programs and services for the diverse communities we serve. As we look back on the past year, we’re excited to share the grants that have helped us grow, innovate, and expand our reach.
LA County was one of sixteen libraries nationwide to be awarded a $10,000 Building Capacity Grant to support New Americans by the American Library Association (ALA), a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. The funding is being used to revive many of our popular Citizenship in a Bag kits, host citizenship programs, promote citizenship programs and services, and implement new handheld translators to reduce language gaps at twelve libraries.
A $13,500 Groundworks Grant from Myriad Consulting, supported by California State Library, was awarded to LA County Library in support of preparing its Cultural Resource Centers for disasters, providing staff training and protecting their valuable collections.
Thanks to a $18,500 Arts and Youth Grant from the California Arts Council, LA County Library will continue its Music Stars introductory classes in guitar, keyboard, and drums in summer 2026.
And LA County’s Quality and Productivity Commission recently funded a program that will launch in 2026: a $200,000 grant from their Productivity Investment Fund will support new Filmmaking and Vlogging Kits and Classes–an expansion of the existing Tool Lending Library–with more information to come in the new year!
Unwavering Support from LA County Library Foundation
Attendees at West Hollywood Park during Next Chapter Writers’ Summit
Our partner LA County Library Foundation – with thanks to generous donors like you – continues to support Library resources that brighten lives and communities. Funding from foundations, corporations, and you reflect the community’s love for the Library.
Thank you to all you donors, and to Amazon and The Capital Group, for providing flexible funding to meet pressing Library needs. Grants and individual donations supported a range of programs and resources, including: Summer Discovery Program, Annual Bookmark Contest, Freedom to Read activities, Books Unbanned, Next Chapter Writers’ Summit, books, eBooks, audiobooks, and much more.
Individual donors, The Capital Group, and Amazon also responded with compassion to help individuals and families impacted by the fires that swept through LA County last winter – enabling the Library to designate 10 libraries in or near the burn areas as Disaster Resource Centers and provide emergency kits, giveaway books for children, resources, and connection.
Individuals from LA County and throughout the country also gave generously to a fundraising campaign by your Library and Foundation and Altadena Library and Foundation to provide hotspots, hygiene products, diapers, and other resources for people impacted by the Eaton fire.
Uchenna Nwosu and MBK mentor supporting My Brother’s Keeper program at LA County Library
Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu again funded a My Brother’s Keeper Peer Advocate position at his hometown Carson Library. Peer Advocates engage young people in Library programs and encourage community members to sign up for a Library card and learn, grow, and succeed.
Long-time partner Edison International again provided a grant for Careers in STEAM. In 2026, tweens and teens will dive into the Physics of Sports.
Students in next summer’s Math & Reading Stars program at 31 locations will each receive a support kit to help with their studies, thanks to a sizable grant from a private foundation.
As the year draws to a close, we look back on the year and all you’ve helped us accomplish. We are so very grateful for your generosity, and we look forward to the year ahead.
In this season of giving, we thank you and wish you peace and joy!
