Application Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026, at 12:00 noon 

The Southern California Library Cooperative and the California State Library encourage California public libraries to participate in the EmPOWERing Access opportunity. This project will assist library users in making connections, both digitally and physically, to their community by providing new ways to access information and learn new skills. The project will fund:  

• Accessible privacy booths 
• Charlie carts 
• Book bikes for outreach 
• Family workstations 
• Light tables 
• Sewing machines 

Interested library staff should attend two different information sessions about the project: 

Thursday, January 8, 2026, 10:00 – 11:00 am – Technical information session for privacy booths, Charlie carts, and book bikes. Advance registration is required. Register here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting link and access details.

To Be Scheduled– Use and best practices session for parent workstations, light tables, and sewing machines. Registration link will be provided soon

Apply here for the EmPOWERing Access opportunity.

This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.