ALA announced March 16 that it will make available more than $1.5 million in emergency relief grants to more than 75 libraries that have experienced economic hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund, supported by Acton Family Giving, will award grants of $20,000 to help libraries bolster operations and services, in areas such as technology access, collection development, digital instruction, staffing, and outreach. Public, school, academic, tribal, and correctional libraries across the US and its territories can apply online through April 21. Libraries serving low-income, rural, and predominately BIPOC communities are especially encouraged to apply. The fund previously awarded more than $1.2 million to 34 libraries in 2021.