Boise Public Library Awarded $198,950 Grant to Improve Services for Teens

BOISE — Boise Public Library has been awarded a $198,950.00 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through their National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. This grant, which aligns with the City of Boise’s Youth Roadmap, will fund a 24-month project to increase the Library’s capacity to strengthen teen belonging and improve access to behavioral health resources.

The project, “Libraries as Youth Wellness Hubs”, will convene youth, stakeholders and Library staff to develop a plan to better utilize Library spaces for activities and opportunities that foster youth wellbeing and increase access to support resources. The Library will also create a toolkit other libraries can adopt to replicate the work.

“This grant advances the goals of our Youth Roadmap by supporting the Boise Public Library to work with teens to design and implement opportunities for teens to contribute, connect, and grow,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “The City of Boise, and our Library, is proud of being selected for this grant and excited for the impact it will have for the teens in our city.”

“Young Boiseans want to contribute meaningfully to our community, and this project will give them the opportunity to determine how the Library can better serve them today and in the future,” added Library Director Jessica Dorr. “We are excited to create meaningful, engaging, and impactful programs and spaces for youth mental wellness.”