PRH to Support Small and Rural Libraries

Penguin Random House and United for Libraries will award grants of $500 and $1,000 to support libraries in need, totaling $25,000. In-kind book donation grants of $500 will also be awarded to 20 libraries to purchase PRH titles.

The grants are specifically designed to assist Friends of Library groups with priority projects, per the publisher. To be eligible for a cash or in-kind grant, Friends groups must be in support of a small or rural U.S. library in the 50 states, District of Columbia, or U.S. territories, with a legal service area population of 25,000 or less. A library that meets the same eligibility and can demonstrate that it has started the process of forming a Friends group will also be eligible.

Grants will be administered by United for Libraries, alongside complimentary eLearning, including a year of access to United for Libraries Learning Live monthly webinars. Recipients will also receive complimentary registration for Friends of the Library Day of the United for Libraries virtual conference (July 30, 2026) and United for Libraries Friends virtual retreat.

“Small and rural libraries are community cornerstones, but today—when the freedom to read is under attack across the country—they are more important than ever,” Skip Dye, SVP of library sales and digital strategy at PRH, said. “These grants will empower Friends groups to bolster their support and advocacy, ensuring these vital community centers not only survive but thrive.”

Applications will be open from December 17, 2025, to January 21, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their status by March 30, 2026.