Libraries funded by AARP Community Challenge Grant

68 grants have supported libraries since 2017

Since 2017, AARP has provided annual awards to support “quick-action” grants that fund local projects that help make communities more livable for people of all ages.

Let’s Move in Libraries has been closely following this funding opportunity, and this webpage keeps track of all the ways libraries have benefitted from it. If you’re interested in applying for this annual funding opportunity, check out this webinar featuring Let’s Move in Libraries founder Noah Lenstra discussing the opportunity.

Every year since the awards began, libraries have been funded, increasing from 1 grant in 2017, to 3 in 2018, 5, in 2019, 4 in 2020, 14 in 2021, 15 in 2022, 13 in 2023, and 13 in 2024. Applications for 2025 are open through March 5, 2025.

Libraries in some states have particularly benefitted, with 9 awards benefiting libraries in Maine, 7 in Iowa, 5 in Idaho; 3 each in Wisconsin, New Mexico, Mississippi, and Arkansas; 2 each in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington; and 1 each going to Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. In total, 31 states have libraries that have been funded by this award.

Below are the 68 awards winners from 2017 through 2024:

Year State Library Project Additional information
2017 Kansas Wichita Public Library Walk Wichita participated in Wichita’s Open Streets event in September 2017 by launching three walking tours through the PocketSights app. The tours were accessible and navigable for people with varying degrees of mobility. Video
2018 Iowa Avoca Public Library Grant funds will be used toward the construction of a musical park space that will feature outdoor musical instruments and a library green space that can serve as a gathering place for people of all ages and abilities. (video)
2018 Maine Raymond Village Library The grant will fund a new intergenerational, adaptive garden to promote activity and engagement among all age groups and provide food for the local food pantry.
2018 Maine Gardiner Public Library This grant will help in developing a pop-up demonstration near the public library of different sidewalk treatments in order to engage input prior to any permanent improvements being made as part of Gardiner’s age-friendly plan.
2019 Colorado Mesa County Public Library District This project will enhance inter-generational engagement by improving the Discovery Garden with comfortable and safe walking trails and places to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
2019 Idaho Valley of the Tetons Library A public library will undergo improvements to increase the accessibility of the building for members of the community including new steps and an outdoor area with free internet access. State Video
2019 Maine Belfast Free Library This project will help create and enhance public spaces within two libraries in the community by making repairs, beautifying the spaces and increasing accessibility.
2019 Maine Area public libraries in Blue Hill/Waldo County This project will support the development of a Traveling Tool Table — a collection of useful, affordable devices to help older people remain independent — that will be launched at local libraries, some of the most popular gathering places in the community.
2019 South Dakota Lemmon Public Library This project will enhance the lives of people in the community by providing the infrastructure in an existing place (library) to give them an opportunity to combat loneliness and promote community.
2020 Arkansas The Malvern-Hot Spring County Library The funds will be used to improve pedestrian access and safety with a highly visible crosswalk, story trail and pollinator garden near the library.
2020 Idaho Gooding Public Library Grant funds will be used to create an accessible outdoor commons area with seating and shade coverings Video
2020 Minnesota East Side Freedom Library A diverse collection of people will be engaged to help improve housing in the community and learn how to address the policies, economics and systems responsible for what has become a local housing crisis.
2020 New Mexico Embudo Valley Library and Community Center The grant will activate a park area on the grounds of a public library by installing two picnic tables and benches that will be created by community members.
2021 Arkansas Malvern-Hot Spring County Library This project expands an existing Story Trail & Garden by adding planters, decorative seating and supplies — including outdoor easels for painting classes, and books for summer reading baskets — to support library programs.
2021 Georgia Conyers Rockdale Library System Birdhouses and benches will be installed in a park adjacent to the public library.
2021 Maine Readfield Community Library Funding will be used to create a kayak dock, provide outdoor seating at the library and local beach, and acquire equipment for curbside deliveries at the community food pantry.
2021 Massachusetts Boston Public Library The Boston Public Library will add locations to its free, 24-hour Outdoor Wi-Fi Program so people can access high-speed internet services through workstations located outside of library buildings.
2021 New Mexico Vallecitos Community Center and Library The addition of a covered walkway and footbridge will help make the community center and library safely accessible in all types of weather.
2021 North Dakota Grand Forks Public Library The Intergenerational Music Playground will bring people of all ages, cultures and abilities together in an interactive and fun way that fosters community connections, inspires innovation and encourages curiosity.
2021 Oregon Fern Ridge Public Library Challenge funds will be used to create a welcoming and safe public courtyard containing furniture created from a beloved Heritage Oak tree that once stood in the location.
2021 Rhode Island Providence Community Library A library lawn will become the location of a staffed, resource-rich park featuring books, games, activities and technology services.
2021 South Carolina Richland Library Grant funds will be used to create an open-source “Let’s Talk Race” curriculum that includes facilitation training and a digital tool kit for fostering productive conversations about race, bias, inclusivity and equality.
2021 Texas Aldine Branch Library (Harris County Library) As one of Houston’s first augmented reality (AR) installations, a new mural will help make the Aldine Branch Library a more engaging destination.
2021 Vermont Wolcott Public Library A new park located near the public library, town offices and a trailhead will connect the spaces and feature a community garden, a Wi-Fi hot spot, games, seating and tables.
2021 Washington Snohomish Library Funding will support the Snohomish Library Story Trail, an installation of 22 “stations” — each holding pages from a children’s picture book — placed along the Centennial Trail.
2021 West Virginia Upshur County Public Library This project will create a small parklet at the library to provide an appealing public green space that can be used and enjoyed by library patrons and community residents.
2021 Wisconsin Chilton Public Library A StoryWalk® is a fun, educational activity through which the pages of a children’s book are posted along a popular walking route. Grant funds will be used to install bilingual stories at walkable locations around the community.
2022 Delaware Dover Public Library Three bicycle repair stations will be installed along the Capital City Trail and outside the public library.
2022 Delaware Georgetown Public Library Grant funds will be used to create a computer lab that can be used by library patrons and a classroom for computer lessons.
2022 Florida Dunedin Public Library Universal-access picnic tables will be added to the playground at the library, and a “story walk” will be created with signage explaining the city’s history and other distinctions.
2022 Florida Coastal Branch Library (Walton County A gaming area will be created at the Coastal Branch Library on an existing courtyard or green space. It will include a ping-pong table, cornhole game and checkers/chess table.
2022 Idaho Emmett Public Library A digital locker system will be installed outside the library so patrons can pick up and drop off materials when the building is closed. State Video
2022 Massachusetts Chelmsford Public Library Indigenous people’s contributions to the area’s development will be acknowledged with 11 informational kiosks and five freestanding mini libraries, plus programs focusing on the arts and history.
2022 Mississippi Waynesboro (Wayne County Library) The library will purchase 11 GrandPads, a tablet designed for older adults; they will then be available for checking out, just like books. Computer classes will also be offered, and a special staff member will provide tech support.
2022 Montana Thompson-Hickman Madison County Library Public meetings will be held and a survey conducted to determine needs to improve accessibility at the library.
2022 New Mexico El Rito Library The area around the library will be upgraded by clearly separating parking from other areas with stanchions; adding a sandbox, benches and a bicycle repair station, and holding flea markets.
2022 North Dakota Hazen Public Library Two chairlifts will be installed at the library, making the basement, where there is a meeting room, more accessible. Photo Album
2022 Ohio Central Ohio (Franklin County) Bhutanese refugee women will be taught how to access libraries, parks and public transportation.
2022 Pennsylvania West Chester Public Library ADA-compliant seating and tables, plus a security camera, will be added to an underused terrace outside the library.
2022 Vermont North Hero Public Library A “word garden” with words etched into rocks will be installed and will complement raised-bed gardens already in place.
2022 Wisconsin La Crosse Public Library Library patrons will now have the opportunity to check out home improvement and gardening tools.
2022 Wisconsin McIntosh Memorial Library (Viroqua) A portion of the library will be turned into an aviary and classes on bird-watching will be conducted there and at other sites, including Side Hollow Park.
2023 Arkansas Central Arkansas Library System This project will increase digital literacy among older adults by creating a mobile tech classroom that staff can take into assisted living facilities to conduct workshops on how to operate devices such as smartphones and tablets.
2023 Idaho Prairie River Library District (Lapwai) This project will create a covered bus stop equipped with Wi-Fi outside a local library, as well as an indoor gathering space focused on the audio, visual and mobility needs of older adults.
2023 Idaho Winchester Community Library This project will turn a public patio and outdoor space at a library into a community garden, which will include garden beds and ADA-accessible benches. The library will provide programming focused on sustainability and fostering healthy, safe and food-secure communities.
2023 Iowa Chariton Free Public Library This project will transform land adjacent to the library into an accessible gathering space and sensory garden, which will be open year-round and offer educational events on gardening, wildlife and nature appreciation.
2023 Iowa South Side Library of Des Moines Public Library This project will increase accessibility for library patrons aged 50+ by providing them with large print keyboards, magnification tools and mobility aids.
2023 Iowa Ely Public Library This project will provide four virtual reality devices for the community’s use, with an emphasis on introducing older adults to the technology as education and entertainment.
2023 Iowa Logan Public Library This project will turn an underutilized lawn into an accessible public area with the addition of a covered gazebo, seating and an ADA-accessible picnic table.
2023 Iowa Wilton Public Library This project will improve a garden space by developing a sensory area for all ages. The upgrades will provide shade and increase comfortable seating options, ensuring the space is accessible for all users. Master gardeners will help guide planting, with the aim of growing produce.
2023 Maine Millinocket Memorial Library Solar-powered lighting will be installed along a popular downtown walking trail, increasing safety and accessibility, especially for older walkers.
2023 Maine Scarborough Public Library This project will establish a network of walking paths to provide a safe place and programs for older adults to exercise and socialize outdoors in a community that lacks a walkable downtown.
2023 Oklahoma Southern Oklahoma Library System This project will create a private space in the Johnston County Library that residents can use to access telemedicine services.
2023 Pennsylvania Easton Area Public Library – Palmer Branch The project will turn an open space adjacent to the public library into a community gathering area with benches, a sculpture and a garden paying tribute to Native American culture.
2023 South Dakota Lemmon Public Library The project will purchase a portable dance floor, which residents will be able to check out from the library for local events.
2024 Alabama Aliceville Public Library The project will result in new computers, upgraded software and faster internet service at the library’s computer lab. The library will also offer technology classes geared toward older adults. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Connecticut Bethel Public Library The library will install an adaptive audio system, allowing people who are hard of hearing to listen to presentations using an app on their smartphone or smart device. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Georgia Mount Zion Public Library This city will construct two blessing boxes, which will offer residents access to free, non-perishable foods, basic toiletries and pet food. The boxes will be located near Mount Zion’s senior center and the local library. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Illinois Maywood Public Library District The library will install a bike repair station and air pump to support local bike commuters, students and unhoused residents who use bikes to get around. The station will be free for residents of all ages to use. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Iowa Monticello Public Library The library will purchase a mobile kitchen to host health and nutrition classes. Programming for adults will focus on making healthy, budget-conscious food choices while classes for children and teens will cover cooking and kitchen basics. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Kansas Casey County Public Library The library will create a story walk — a series of displays along an accessible path designed to display pages from a storybook. The project responds to local grandparents’ requests for more activities they can do with their grandchildren. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Maine Fort Fairfield Public Library The library will transform an unused patch of grass into a memorial garden featuring flowers, an arbor and a gazebo. The space will be accessible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as for older adults. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Maine Washburn Memorial Library Two training sessions will teach older adult residents how to make their homes safer and more functional. The library will also create a display demonstrating home modification techniques and products. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)
2024 Mississippi Harrison County Library System This project will provide wheeled walkers at three library branches, enabling older visitors to peruse the shelves independently. In addition, the library will expand its collection of large print books to give older patrons more reading choices. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Mississippi Laurel-Jones County Library System This project will transform a donated trolley into a mobile library and technology resource for older adults living in rural areas. Equipped with laptops, printers and Wi-Fi, this will give residents online access to health care and financial assistance, technology classes and other resources. (Flagship Grant)
2024 Ohio Shreve Public Library This project will provide walk audits near two parks, the library and Shreve’s downtown. The village will recruit older adults to participate and provide feedback on how to improve pedestrian safety and mobility. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)
2024 Virginia Salem Public Library Several workshops will educate older adults about low-cost home safety improvements and other safety aids. The library will also create a community display featuring typical modifications and provide residents with copies of the AARP HomeFit Guide. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)
2024 Washington Toledo Community Library The library will replace its building’s roof, preserving an important community space in Toledo’s downtown, which is recovering following a series of devastating fires. (Flagship Grant)

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