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Public Library Services

Q: How much funding can be received?

Public Library Services Funds up to $500,000 of admissible expenses.

Q: Who is eligible for the Public Library Services program?

To be eligible for the Public Library Services program, you must: Community libraries operating within Nunavut Non-profit organizations or municipal corporations proposing to operate community libraries

Q: Where is the Public Library Services available?

The Public Library Services program is available the province of Nunavut.

Q: Is the Public Library Services a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Public Library Services is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Public Library Services?

Public Library Services is funded by Government of Nunavut

Last Update: October 28, 2025

NU, Canada

Supports community library operations and development across Nunavut

Grant and Funding

Government of Nunavut

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increasing community impact

Supporting volunteer engagement

Renovate your business/factory

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 500,000 $

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Information and cultural industries
Educational services

Location

Nunavut

Legal structures

Non-profit
Public or Parapublic institution

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Rural or Northern Residents

Non-profit candidates

Sector of operation

All industries

Target groups

All the groups

Revenue structures

All structures

Scope

All dimensions

Overview

The Public Library Services program provides up to $500,000 in funding to support the operation and development of community libraries across Nunavut. Eligible activities include salaries, operating costs, capital projects, equipment purchases, and library programming.

Activities funded

Operation and enhancement of community libraries in Nunavut.
Implementation of library programming and public events that promote information use in official languages.
Capital improvements and minor renovations to library facilities.
Acquisition of equipment, shelving, and furniture for library operations.
Conducting needs assessments and analyses to improve library services.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a community library operating within Nunavut, or a non-profit organization or municipal corporation proposing to start and operate a community library in Nunavut.
The project must involve the operation or establishment of a public library serving a community in Nunavut.

Who is eligible?

Community libraries operating within Nunavut
Non-profit organizations proposing to establish and operate community libraries in Nunavut
Municipal corporations proposing to establish and operate community libraries in Nunavut

Who is not eligible

Businesses and organizations not operating within Nunavut.
For-profit companies that are not non-profit organizations or municipal corporations intending to operate community libraries.

Eligible expenses

Salaries of permanent employees.
Recurring operating costs, including utilities, leasing, and insurance.
Expenses related to capital projects.
Needs analyses and assessments.
Purchase of equipment and furnishings, including library shelving and furniture.
Minor renovations.
Library programming costs.
Accounting costs directly related to library operations.

Eligible geographic areas

Community libraries operating within Nunavut

Selection criteria

Completeness and clarity of the annual operating budget, including detailed breakdowns of revenues and expenditures.
Inclusion of estimates for utility, maintenance, leasing, facility insurance, accounting, and minor renovation costs.
Detailed schedule of public access operating hours and administrative staff working hours.
Summary of proposed programs and events promoting the use of information in Nunavut’s Official Languages.
Submission of the required achievement report for the prior year, demonstrating benefits achieved versus expected outcomes.

How to apply

Confirm eligibility requirements

Verify eligibility as a community library, non-profit, or municipal corporation in Nunavut
Ensure plans to operate a community library in Nunavut

Prepare funding proposal

Prepare a detailed funding proposal
Include annual operating description and proposed budget (revenues and expenditures)
Attach breakdown of utilities, maintenance, leasing, and insurance costs
Add summary of operations with proposed programs/events

Collect supporting documentation

Gather required supporting documents, such as previous achievement reports
Ensure criminal record and vulnerable sector checks for all staff and volunteers

Submit application package

Submit completed funding proposal and supporting documents to the department
Ensure all sections are completed as per program requirements

Application review process

Await review by the Working Group
Possible additional review by the Manager of Public Library Services and Director of Heritage as needed

Receive funding approval and payment

If approved, funding is awarded up to a maximum of $500,000, subject to available budget
Receive payments in two annual installments, as per agreement terms

Submit annual achievement report

Submit annual achievement report outlining benefits and compliance with proposal expectations
Prepare for potential audits as required by program policy

Additional information

Funding proposals should identify any other sources of funding, though this does not impact the allocation.
Staff and volunteers must provide completed criminal record and vulnerable sector checks before beginning work in the public library.
A required achievement report for the preceding year must be submitted for review.
Payments are issued in two installments per year according to the Conditional Contribution Agreement.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Library Services Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Public Library Services. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.