This round, we’re providing a mix of opportunities:

• Library Futures proposed projects, outlined below. These projects consist of hands-on work with the LF staff and community in order to work on a defined question with prescribed outputs.
• Topic exploration based on independent researcher interest. These projects consist of an output of the researcher’s choice based on the list of topics below
• A creative project of the researcher’s choice. Pitch us something interesting! Please read the project suggestions carefully and reach out if you have any questions. Finished projects will be promoted on our networks, including social media, webinars, blog posts, and our lively email newsletter.

We encourage all to apply and will be prioritizing proposals from those whose work is often overlooked, including public librarians, library advocates, and diverse candidates. Please don’t let your title or organization stop you from proposing an idea! We want to hear from a wide variety of people. We are open to group submissions.

We will provide selected projects with funding/honorarium of up to $4,000 based on the length of the project, the output, and the amount of labor required to complete it. This research funding can be used for contracted work, travel, honoraria for participants, or other uses as approved by the Library Futures team. Projects will be maximum 6 months-1 year in length. All materials will be produced as work for hire by Library Futures and licensed under CC BY.

Library Futures Proposed Projects

1. User’s Guide to Model AI Policies for Libraries: Drawing from independent research completed during the course of this grant as well as existing policies, produce a set of guidelines for AI usage in collection development and reference for public libraries.
2. Technical Storage Working Group: We’re inviting 4-7 experts to gather over the course of six months to produce guidelines and technical standards for ownership and long-term storage for digital books. This paper will draw on existing expertise within the community and LF staff. Experts will be expected to have some knowledge of products like Portico and LOCKSS as well as completed work such as the National Information Standards Organization’s CDL Standards and Project LEND at the University of California. The paper will be focused on cooperatively managed interoperable backends for the storage of digital materials. Note: This project will be remunerated by an honorarium set by Library Futures based on number of participants rather than as budgeted project work.
3. Research and Community Roadmap on Vendor Experiences: Through focus groups and community conversations conducted as part of the grant, produce an output (report, conference presentation, podcast, poster) about community experiences with vendors and reps. For this project, we ask researchers to choose a focus area and bounded, realistic theme and timeframe but are relatively open to the outputs and foci. We also request a roadmap for further engagement by the organization.
4. Digital Collections in a Scarcity World: How can we support the diversity of digital collections when we have to make hard decisions due to funding? How can we support the most robust collection development policies, and when do we work with or fight against publishers and vendors in order to advocate for better pricing and diversity of content? Using resources like the Reader’s First pricing survey alongside original research, propose a potential roadmap and way forward for libraries of all types. Some level of data analysis is preferred.

Potential Independent Research Topics

• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in digital spaces and libraries
• Consolidation of publishers, vendors, and vended products
• How federal and local technology policy impacts libraries and library workers
• Climate and digital green infrastructure
• Advocacy around library contracts and vendors
• AI and other emerging technologies (Web 3, blockchain, etc)
• Worker rights and the future of library work in a digital world
• State and local issues/advocacy around digital libraries
• International solidarity in digital libraries
• Copyright
• Model templates for contracts and policies, particularly around censorship
• Building digital public space for libraries and online programming
• Building and maintaining digital collections
• Privacy and surveillance
• Digital book bans, censorship, and threats
• Advocacy, particularly around library workers, organizations, and institutions
• Mis/disinformation
• Digital ownership
• Your big, bold idea!

Library Futures focuses on digital libraries – while physical libraries and in-person programming are incredibly important, we are a digital rights organization and are looking for proposals related to our work and issue set.

While we encourage you to experiment with outputs, we find that the best projects are highly defined and manageable. Last round we supported multiple zines, one short e-book, and a report. We are hoping for a diversity of projects this round, so be creative!

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis. To ensure consideration, apply by July 11, 2025.

Apply