TLA Disaster Relief Fund

The Texas Library Association (TLA) administers the TLA Disaster Relief Fund to assist libraries in Texas that have suffered damage due to natural disasters. Established to provide emergency financial support, the Disaster Relief Fund is a core component of TLA’s broader commitment to resilience and recovery within the state’s library systems. The organization coordinates efforts to respond to various types of natural disasters—including storms and flooding—by distributing grants and raising funds for an endowment that sustains the initiative. The Disaster Relief Fund offers grants ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. These grants may be used for a wide range of disaster recovery needs including technology replacement, facility repairs, collection restoration, furnishings, and other essential recovery expenses directly tied to storm damage. The program accepts applications from academic, public, school, and special libraries located within the state of Texas. Funding is limited to libraries that have experienced significant operational disruptions or damage due to a qualifying natural disaster. TLA’s Disaster Relief Committee oversees the grant program. This committee is charged with preparing and disseminating application guidelines, determining available funding amounts, and evaluating submitted applications. Evaluation criteria include the severity of the damage sustained, the impact on library services, intended use of the funds, availability of other public or private assistance, and the applicant’s willingness to allow the use of their name and visual materials for publicity purposes. Currently, the grant cycle is open for libraries impacted by recent storms and flooding across Central Texas. The application deadline for this cycle is September 15. TLA encourages affected libraries to document their damage using images, videos, or personal narratives to enhance their applications. All submitted materials should clearly demonstrate the nature and extent of the damages and articulate how the grant funds will contribute to service restoration. The TLA Disaster Relief Fund is not a recurring or rolling grant. Each cycle is dependent on disaster events and available funding, with TLA publicizing new opportunities as they arise. The organization’s Executive Director confirms the amount available for each cycle, and the Disaster Relief Committee notifies the Executive Board about the condition of impacted libraries and corresponding grant needs. As a result, libraries should monitor TLA’s announcements to remain informed about future cycles. For additional information or inquiries about the application process, applicants can contact TLA at tla@txla.org or by phone at 512-328-1518. Applications can be submitted through the TLA website. The office is closed during July 8–11 for a governance workshop but will reopen on July 14 to continue assisting applicants. The disaster grant serves as a vital support mechanism to help Texas libraries recover quickly and continue to serve their communities.

Include clear damage documentation and specific funding uses to strengthen the application.