State Grants-in-Aid Construction Program

State Grants-in-Aid Construction is administered by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records as part of Arizona's State Grants-in-Aid program. The State Grants-in-Aid program was developed by the Arizona legislature in 1981 to help Arizona libraries meet the information needs of Arizona residents. The construction component provides funding to qualifying public libraries for construction-related projects. Eligible purposes identified in the construction guidelines include new building construction, facility improvements to meet community needs, and renovations to address requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Designs and plans are recognized as essential to construction, but because funding is limited, preference is given to applications for actual construction rather than architectural or design fees. State Grants-in-Aid Construction awards are provided on a reimbursement basis through a competitive process. A dollar-for-dollar local cash match is required. State funds cannot substitute for the local match, and the county or city must expend no less than the amount of State Grants-in-Aid awarded during the same fiscal year for countywide or citywide library services. State funds are to be used for library services countywide or citywide and cannot be used for indirect or administrative costs. Successful applicants receive a Grant Agreement that must be signed by the local library's fiscal authority and Library Director. Financial disbursement for construction funding is made in one payment at the completion of construction. Recipients must also submit a final report that includes a narrative, budget, and certification. Applicants must be public libraries that meet the State Grants-in-Aid criteria. Qualifying libraries must be organized as a governmental unit or nonprofit organization, agree to the Arizona State Library Resource Access and Attainment Policy, provide library services free of charge to all residents within their service area, and be regularly open to the public with posted hours. Libraries must be in good standing with the State Library through complete, accurate, and timely submission of library statistics and other required reports. Applicants must also comply with applicable Arizona Revised Statutes, including requirements concerning cities and towns and public libraries, counties and public libraries, and computer access and material harmful to minors. The application process has two stages. The first required step is submission of the online Intent to Apply form by 11:59 PM on Friday, September 4, 2026. The Intent to Apply must include a letter of support from the municipal or county governing authority, or, when the library governmental authority is other than a county or incorporated municipality, a written commitment from that library governmental authority and a letter of support from the county librarian. Applicants must also state the amount of local cash match funding available for construction or renovation. For proposals involving new construction, clear title to the land must be certified by the local governmental entity. After reviewing the Intent to Apply submissions, the State Library will invite a limited number of promising applicants to submit a full proposal. An invitation does not indicate or guarantee an eventual award. Applications are evaluated on demonstrated need and the capacity to break ground by the end of the state fiscal year in which the award is made and complete the project by June 30 of the following year. Review also considers the library's long-range plan, including planning for new technologies; alignment of the proposed project, long-range plan, building program, and proposed design; flexibility of the design to accommodate changing service needs; the applicant's ability to provide cash funding matching the requested construction grant; and plans for ongoing financial support of the building, staff, and materials. New construction and renovations must comply with applicable local and state regulations for public buildings, with certification by the local governmental unit. Legal requirements concerning clear title to the land or building may also be certified before an award is made. The current Intent to Apply deadline is September 4, 2026. The source does not state the opening date for the Intent period, the deadline for invited full proposals, the award notification date, a fixed construction award amount, total available program funding, or the number of awards. Project timing is nevertheless addressed in the guidelines: funded projects must demonstrate capacity to break ground by the end of the state fiscal year in which an award is made and complete the project by June 30 of the following year. Questions may be directed to Library Development at 602-542-6200, and the State Grants-in-Aid page provides the Grants Consultant contact at libdev@azsos.libanswers.com. Library Development is located at 1700 W. Washington St., B-002, Phoenix, AZ 85007.

Demonstrate proven need and readiness to break ground by the end of the state fiscal year in which the award is made; show capacity to complete the project by June 30 of the following year; align the project and design with the library long-range plan and building program; address new technologies and design flexibility; document sufficient cash match; provide a plan for ongoing financial support; comply with public-building regulations and clear-title requirements; prioritize actual construction because the funder states preference for construction over architectural or design fees