📣 Library Update: Here’s What We Know
There’s been some recent conversation about the library and a grant opportunity from last year and we’d like to share the facts.
In 2024, a state grant (the Flexible Facilities Grant) became available to support library building projects. Unfortunately, the grant required libraries to be fully shovel-ready at the time of submittal. The entire turnaround was just three months.
Due to the strict requirements and extremely short timeline, Algoma Public Library was simply not able to apply for the grant. This wasn’t a missed opportunity, it was a grant that, by its nature, wasn’t an option for us and believe us, we tried. We looked into it thoroughly, attended a webinar, joined meetings, and had conversations about what it would take. But the strict requirements including being fully shovel-ready within just a few months, made it unworkable for us at that time.
That said, we remain committed to preparing for future funding opportunities as we continue thoughtful, long-term planning for the library’s facility needs.
In the meantime, we’ve actively pursued other sources of support and have seen great success. Over the past year and a half, we’ve secured multiple grants and extra funding that directly benefit our library and strengthen the services we provide to the Algoma community:
📚NFLS (Nicolet Federated Library System) grants supported youth services, expanded our collections, and allowed staff to attend library conferences.
🧱 We added a Kidzspace interactive wall for teens, providing interactive educational and fun games and activities in a dedicated space for teens to gather, engage, and enjoy with funding from NFLS and our dedicated Algoma Library Friends.
📖 We received a Family Dollar Literacy Grant to support early literacy.
🐦 Partnering with Bird City Algoma, we secured a SciStarter Citizen Science Grant, bringing birdwatching and nature education to our community.
📶 We obtained funding to maintain our hotspot lending program.
💼 We launched our JobPod, offering resources and support for job seekers right here at the library.
🧒 In 2025, we joined the PBS KIDS Library & Community Learning Cohort, which included a programming stipend and gained access to materials and training that support media literacy, family engagement, and early learning. These tools help us enrich our community programming and better support local children and caregivers.
❤️ Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Rural Health Grant. This grant helps us support heart health in our community by offering free resources like blood pressure monitoring kits for checkout, along with educational materials to promote wellness and healthy living.
🎉 And we were awarded a $10,000 ALA Libraries Transforming Communities Grant, now helping us improve accessibility in our facility.
✅ We’ve received grants and other funding opportunities for youth programs, new technology, citizen science tools, hotspot lending, literacy programs, and more.
✅ We’re working closely with city leaders and our Library Board on long-term planning.
✅ We’re committed to sharing accurate information and we welcome your questions.
We’re here for you and we’re grateful for your continued support of Algoma Public Library.
If it’s been a while since your last visit to the library, you may be surprised by what you’ll find. Today’s library offers so much more than books, we provide access to technology, educational kits, community programs, job resources, digital resources, and more. We’re here to support, connect, and enrich our community every day.
Have questions? Stop in and visit or contact us at 920-487-2295 or [email protected].
There’s been some recent conversation about the library and a grant opportunity from last year and we’d like to share the facts.
In 2024, a state grant (the Flexible Facilities Grant) became available to support library building projects. Unfortunately, the grant required libraries to be fully shovel-ready at the time of submittal. The entire turnaround was just three months.
Due to the strict requirements and extremely short timeline, Algoma Public Library was simply not able to apply for the grant. This wasn’t a missed opportunity, it was a grant that, by its nature, wasn’t an option for us and believe us, we tried. We looked into it thoroughly, attended a webinar, joined meetings, and had conversations about what it would take. But the strict requirements including being fully shovel-ready within just a few months, made it unworkable for us at that time.
That said, we remain committed to preparing for future funding opportunities as we continue thoughtful, long-term planning for the library’s facility needs.
In the meantime, we’ve actively pursued other sources of support and have seen great success. Over the past year and a half, we’ve secured multiple grants and extra funding that directly benefit our library and strengthen the services we provide to the Algoma community:
📚NFLS (Nicolet Federated Library System) grants supported youth services, expanded our collections, and allowed staff to attend library conferences.
🧱 We added a Kidzspace interactive wall for teens, providing interactive educational and fun games and activities in a dedicated space for teens to gather, engage, and enjoy with funding from NFLS and our dedicated Algoma Library Friends.
📖 We received a Family Dollar Literacy Grant to support early literacy.
🐦 Partnering with Bird City Algoma, we secured a SciStarter Citizen Science Grant, bringing birdwatching and nature education to our community.
📶 We obtained funding to maintain our hotspot lending program.
💼 We launched our JobPod, offering resources and support for job seekers right here at the library.
🧒 In 2025, we joined the PBS KIDS Library & Community Learning Cohort, which included a programming stipend and gained access to materials and training that support media literacy, family engagement, and early learning. These tools help us enrich our community programming and better support local children and caregivers.
❤️ Recipient of the American Heart Association’s Rural Health Grant. This grant helps us support heart health in our community by offering free resources like blood pressure monitoring kits for checkout, along with educational materials to promote wellness and healthy living.
🎉 And we were awarded a $10,000 ALA Libraries Transforming Communities Grant, now helping us improve accessibility in our facility.
✅ We’ve received grants and other funding opportunities for youth programs, new technology, citizen science tools, hotspot lending, literacy programs, and more.
✅ We’re working closely with city leaders and our Library Board on long-term planning.
✅ We’re committed to sharing accurate information and we welcome your questions.
We’re here for you and we’re grateful for your continued support of Algoma Public Library.
If it’s been a while since your last visit to the library, you may be surprised by what you’ll find. Today’s library offers so much more than books, we provide access to technology, educational kits, community programs, job resources, digital resources, and more. We’re here to support, connect, and enrich our community every day.
Have questions? Stop in and visit or contact us at 920-487-2295 or [email protected].
