Remote Work through Libraries Grants

Through a collaboration with the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) the Maine State Library (MSL) will invest $2 million in Maine’s 255 public libraries to expand their capacity to provide targeted resources, services, and physical space to support remote and hybrid workers across the state. Business owners and entrepreneurs that primarily operate with a virtual footprint will also be served.

The Remote Work through Libraries Initiative selected libraries based on a competitive grant program that focused on libraries serving communities where access to business centers or coworking spaces are lacking or where there are barriers preventing some remote workers from taking advantage of existing facilities.

Public libraries applied for two types of projects: programming and/or space renovation grants ($5,000 - $25,000) and capital improvement grants ($25,000 - $100,000). Proposals focused on expanding current workforce-related services and programs, adding functionality to existing meeting rooms, creating new spaces, or large capital projects. Priority went toward proposals that focused on reaching historically underrepresented groups as well as those from libraries that serve economically disadvantaged communities and/or communities that were disproportionately impacted by recent economic downturns as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic.

The list of Remote Work through Libraries awardees can be found here.