Rural Libraries Program (RLP) Grant
ALL RLP Grant funds received must be spent in its entirety before the end of each fiscal year, June 30. Recipients must complete and return the Expenditures Tracking Sheet to Carmelita.Aragon@dca.nm.gov by June 30, 2025.
An email with a copy of the FY25 RLP Grant Expenditures Tracking Sheet was emailed to Library Director’s on October 7, 2024. If you are not able to locate a copy, please download and save the tracking sheet using the link below.
Rural Libraries Program (RLP) Grant Recipients & Allocations History
- 2025/2026 Rural Libraries Program Grant: Coming Soon
- 2024/2025 Rural Libraries Program Grant: Grant Recipients & Allocations
- 2023/2024 Rural Libraries Program Grant: Grant Recipients & Allocations
FY26 Special One-Time Rural Library Grant
House Bill 2 Section 4 General Appropriations Act appropriated $2,500,000.00 for distribution in equal shares to eligible rural public libraries. The Rural Libraries Program one-time grant is to provide funds to support and expand public library services for New Mexico’s rural libraries and is issued in accordance with 4.5.9 NMAC. NOTE: This grant is in addition to the annual Rural Library Program (RLP) Grant.
This special one-time grant must be fully spent before June 30, 2026. Failure to fully expend the grant before June 30, 2026 will result in denial of Fiscal Year 2027 grants.
***Special Grant Announcement***
Review the announcement and guidelines document to ensure understanding. If your library meets the requirements and you wish to apply for the FY26 special one-time rural library grant for rural libraries, complete the application before 5:00 PM on Friday June 27, 2025.
- FY26 Special One-Time Rural Library Grant Announcement & Guidelines
- Application for FY26 Special One-Time Rural Library Grant
- FY26 Special One-Time RLP Grant Expenditures Guidance Sheet
- 2025/2026 Special One-Time Grant: Grant Recipients & Allocations COMING SOON
Rural Libraries Endowment Fund
Section 18-18-1, NMSA 1978 (2019) establishes the rural libraries endowment fund, which was established in the state treasury to support the preservation, development, and establishment of rural libraries throughout the state by providing funding for rural libraries’ operational and capital needs and funding for the delivery of specialized services to rural libraries. The rural libraries endowment fund consists of appropriations and donations to the fund and all income from investment of the fund.
Rural Library means a library that is established:
- through an ordinance or legal resolution adopted by a political subdivision of the state and is located in: (a) an unincorporated area of the state; or (b) a municipality with a population on or after July 1, 2019 of three thousand or less;
- by a legal resolution of a tribal government in New Mexico with a tribal population on or after July 1, 2019 of three thousand or less; or
- as a corporation with tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and is located in: (a) an unincorporated area of the state; or (b) a municipality with a population on or after July 1, 2019 of three thousand or less.
Rural Libraries Program Library Establishment (RLPLE) Grants
Grants are available to assist in the establishment of public or tribal public rural libraries in cities, towns, and villages without a library. Cities, towns, or villages without a library, 501(c)(3) organizations in cities, towns or villages, or unincorporated areas with a population of 3,000 or fewer without a library, or local committees with identified members and roles may apply for RLPLE Grant funds.
ALL RLPLE Grant funds received must be spent in its entirety before the end of each fiscal year, June 30. Recipients must complete and return the Expenditures Tracking Sheet to Carmelita.Aragon@dca.nm.gov by June 30, 2025.
Rural Libraries Program Library Establishment (RLPLE) Grant Allocations History
- 2025/2026 RLPLE Grant: Coming Soon
- 2024/2025 RLPLE Grant: Grant Recipients & Allocations
- 2023/2024 RLPLE Grant: Grant Recipients & Allocations
How to Apply for a Rural Libraries Program Library Establishment (RLPLE) Grant
Applications usually open late Spring or early Summer. FY26 Application Coming Soon!
To apply for a Rural Libraries Program Library Establishment (RLPLE) Grant, complete the application and return all required documentation by the provided deadline.
- FY25 (RLPLE) Grant Application was due July 24, 2024
- Deadline: