The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Act Mini-Grant Program was created to help public and academic Indiana respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stimulus funding for this grant came to the State Library via LSTA funds from the federal appropriation made to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the federal CARES Act (Public Law 116-136; 20 U.S.C.§9101 et seq.)
The Indiana State Library offered two rounds of CARES mini-grants between August 31, 2020, and September 30, 2021. These reimbursement grants were intended to help Indiana libraries respond to COVID-19 by reimbursing up to $1,400 (round 1) and $2,000 (round 2) of pandemic-related expenses. Eligible expenses included personal protective equipment (PPE) and facility supplies (e.g. masks, sanitizer, plexiglass shields, webcams); hotspots and other digital inclusion supplies (i.e. signal boosters or routers); and e-content. Libraries were welcome to apply for both grants; any eligible library applying within the deadline was awarded. $476,089.16 of CARES funds were distributed via 335 unique mini-grants.
LDO AF 10-20-2025