School Library Damaged by a Disaster? This Grant Can Help.

If your public school library has been impacted by a natural disaster, this grant program can help you rebuild.

Funded by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation and administered by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), Beyond Words provides disaster relief grants to replace books, media, and equipment lost due to disasters.

Up to $5,000

Grants can be used to replace:

• Books and library materials

• Technology and equipment

• Furniture and shelving

• Other resources lost or damaged due to a natural disaster

Eligible applicants are:

• U.S. public school libraries

• Be within 15 miles from a Dollar General store or Distribution Center

• Libraries that have experienced a natural disaster resulting in significant collection or facility damage

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Recovering from a disaster is expensive, and rebuilding a school library often isn’t the first priority in recovery funding. This grant helps schools restore access to books, learning resources, and safe library spaces for students.