The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has announced that applications for the fiscal year 2025 Family Place Libraries™ Project grants are now open. TSLAC is seeking qualified libraries to attend a Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute at the new Cedar Park Public Library in Cedar Park, Texas, and implement the program in their facilities.
The Family Place Libraries™ Project grants aim to create a welcoming, family-centered environment that empowers caregivers of young children as they become their child's first and continual teachers. The grant will provide funding for equipment and training necessary for each library to:
- Host workshops for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers.
- Develop an interactive space for this age group to play and learn in the library.
- Forge strong partnerships with organizations serving young children and their families.
Selected libraries can expect staff members to attend training in Cedar Park in May 2025. To offset travel costs, TSLAC will provide each attendee up to $700 towards travel reimbursement. Additionally, participating libraries will be reimbursed up to $6,000 for supplies needed to launch a successful Family Place Library™ location.
The application deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 15. Applications can be submitted online through the TSLAC Grants Management System. Those without access may contact the TSLAC grants team at grants@tsl.texas.gov.
Prospective applicants should consult resources on the Family Place Libraries™ Project Resources page on the TSLAC grants website, including:
- The 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity containing grant guidelines and scoring matrix.
- A webinar recording and slides featuring discussions by Family Place™ staff on early learning benefits, alongside reviews by TSLAC’s youth services consultant and grants team staff.
These resources are available at www.tsl.texas.gov/ldn/familyplace.
Accredited libraries looking to become credentialed Family Place Libraries™ are invited to apply. Additionally, library systems with an established Family Place™ location can apply for funding to expand the program into one additional branch this fiscal year. For those needing additional staff trained at an existing location, there is no need to apply; instead, they may contact TSLAC Youth Services Consultant Katelyn Patterson at kpatterson@tsl.texas.gov.
This project is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides Texans access to essential information by preserving Texas's archival record; enhancing public, academic, and school libraries' service capacity; assisting public agencies with records maintenance; and meeting reading needs of Texans with disabilities. More information is available at www.tsl.texas.gov.
