Ready to Read Grant Program

The Ready to Read Grant program is administered by the State Library of Oregon as part of its mission to improve library services for residents through local public library systems. Established through state legislation, the program has evolved from its origins in the 1970s, when funding was primarily directed toward preschool literacy, into a broader initiative supporting both early literacy and summer reading outcomes. The program operates as a state-funded, non-competitive grant distributed annually to eligible public libraries that apply and report on their use of funds. Its statutory authority is defined in Oregon Revised Statutes 357.740 through 357.780, and it continues to serve as a foundational funding stream for youth-focused library services across the state. The primary purpose of the Ready to Read Grant is to support early literacy development and sustain youth engagement in reading, particularly during the summer months when learning loss can occur. The program outlines multiple outcome areas that applicants may choose to address, including helping young children develop foundational literacy skills before kindergarten, encouraging caregiver involvement in literacy activities, maintaining or improving youth literacy over the summer, and fostering a lifelong love of reading. Libraries have flexibility to select the outcomes most relevant to their community needs and design programming accordingly, allowing for localized adaptation while maintaining alignment with statewide goals. Funding is allocated biennially by the Oregon Legislature, with half distributed in each fiscal year. Grant amounts are determined using a formula that considers both the population of youth aged 0–14 served by the library (accounting for 80 percent of the allocation) and the geographic service area (accounting for 20 percent). Each library receives a predetermined allocation and applies for that exact amount. There is a minimum award threshold of 1000 dollars, while larger systems receive proportionally higher funding. Funds may be used for a wide range of allowable expenses, including materials, programming, and equipment that support literacy outcomes, although certain restrictions apply, such as prohibitions on design work already provided through statewide resources. Eligibility for the program is limited to legally established public libraries within the state of Oregon. Applications are submitted annually through an online system during a defined window, typically opening July 1 and closing August 31. Applicants must outline their proposed activities, demonstrate alignment with selected outcomes, describe methods for measuring progress, and provide a clear and justified budget. Applications are initially reviewed by the Youth Services Consultant, who may request revisions for incomplete submissions, before being recommended to the State Library Board for final approval during a fall meeting. The evaluation process emphasizes alignment between proposed activities and desired outcomes, the clarity and appropriateness of measurement strategies, the strength of partnerships, and the adequacy of the budget. While matching funds are not required, applicants are encouraged to document additional financial or in-kind contributions to demonstrate community investment and project sustainability. Approved projects receive funding disbursed in December, with expenditures required to be completed by the end of the calendar year and reports due shortly before that deadline. The program follows a recurring annual cycle, with clear milestones for application submission, reporting, and fund expenditure. Libraries are required to submit annual reports detailing the outcomes and impact of their funded activities. Program staff, including the Youth Services Consultant, provide guidance and support throughout the process and serve as points of contact for technical assistance. This structured yet flexible grant program enables libraries across Oregon to address critical literacy needs while maintaining accountability and alignment with statewide educational priorities.

Ensure proposed activities clearly align with literacy outcomes and include measurable impact indicators; provide clear and justified budget; demonstrate partnerships where possible