Last week, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office announced the distribution of nearly $18 million in Public Library Per Capita Grants to 639 public libraries across the state. The grants, awarded annually, help libraries support valuable resources and services to their communities.

Funding amounts are determined by a statutory formula based on each library’s service population. Libraries can use the grants to support a range of resources and services, including books and multilingual materials, e-books, internet access, staff, programming such as summer reading initiatives, and even capital improvements.

To qualify, libraries must be recognized as “Full Member Libraries” within their regional library systems. The next application deadline is January 30, 2026.

To learn more about the Public Library Per Capita Grants, please visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s website.