VITAL Libraries

Launched in 2019 through a public-private partnership with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) and the Achilles Memorial Fund facilitated by The Fund, the VITAL Libraries program helps NYCPS libraries become vital and sustainable programs for their school community. From the outset, the program has provided support for schools seeking to transform their school library into a “third space” – a safe space where students can continue to develop personally and academically; a complement to the classroom environment; a place to explore one’s own identity, inquire, and learn about the world.

Since the program’s launch, hundreds of existing NYCPS school libraries have submitted applications to become a VITAL Library. Through this partnership, Office of Library Services (OLS) has supported nine (9) school/campus libraries across NYC’s five boroughs in the design, planning, and implementation of their Vital, Instructional, Transformative, Accessible, Learning (VITAL) Libraries grants.

The VITAL Libraries Program provides awardees with:

- A grant of up to $50,000 to upgrade their school library program;

- Assistance in the development of a Library Advisory Committee (LAC) of stakeholders, inclusive of students and school staff, who will play an essential role in the process and held guide ongoing sustainability planning for the library program;

- High-quality professional learning from OLS, which is also offered to the other applicant schools;

- A Grand Opening Celebration that is designed to reinforce the value of school library programs as essential components of the school community; and

- Best practice sharing from a growing community of “VITAL” librarians who are uniquely positioned to offer new possibilities for schools to learn and grow, including in their sustainability planning efforts.