Statewide — Libraries, schools, universities, and nonprofit organizations across Indiana are receiving grants to purchase highly sought-after books, digital materials, and films addressing racial injustice in America to add to circulating collections in their communities.
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and ensuing protests, many libraries were overwhelmed by requests for materials, and library patrons faced long wait times for the most popular books and other resources related to racial equity. Indiana Humanities’ Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grants, ranging from $290 to $1,000, will go to 150 nonprofit organizations in 60 Indiana counties to enable them to meet the increased demand for materials to circulate in their communities. The project was made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment provided Indiana Humanities with a grant to distribute $134,264 to libraries and add books to the Indiana Humanities Novel Conversations statewide lending library. Lilly Endowment also awarded Indianapolis Public Library $140,000 to purchase titles about racial equity for libraries within its system.
Recipients of the Advancing Racial Equity Collection Development Grants in Southeastern Indiana include:
- Franklin County Public Library District, Brookville, $970
- Greensburg Decatur County Public Library, Greensburg, $1,000
- Lawrenceburg Public Library District, Lawrenceburg, $1,000
- Tyson Library Association, Inc., Versailles, $1,000
