Grants & Donation
The Friends of WPLM and WPLM were awarded multiple grants from 2021-2023. These grants, along with generous donations, helped transform the weed patch behind WPLM into the Outdoor Education Space. The space displays local history items, is used to host educational programming, and is a relaxing place to read. The Outdoor Space is open the same hours as WPLM in the spring, summer, and early fall.
WPLM is continuing to model sustainability through the addition of solar panels to offset our energy needs. The most recent grant, from the ALA, will help WPLM better serve all our patrons and visitors.
American Library Association (ALA)
$20,000 through Libraries Transforming Communities: Accesible Small and Rural Communities initiative
Inflation Reduction Act-- WPLM applied; waiting for funds to help further offset cost of solar panels
Illinois Shines
$22,000 to help offset the cost of the solar panels along with the EBSCO grant
EBSCO Solar Grant
$30,000 towards 60 solar panels that were installed on WPLM's roof in August 2024
Williams Township
$6,000 towards library cards for Township residents AND programming for kids, teens, and adults
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Public Museum Capital Grants Program
$42,900 towards transforming the weed patch behind WPLM into accessible museum display and programming space
Williams Township
$6,000 towards the shed, which will create presentation AND storage space
Williamsville Community Foundation
$5,000 towards the shed, which will create presentation AND storage space
The Lumpkin Family Foundation
$4,000 towards trees for the Outdoor Education Space
Illinois State Library through the Illinois Secretary of State: Road to Recovery Grant
$18,500 towards components to be used in outdoor programming for patrons of all ages
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Community Grants Program:
$500 towards the perimeter fence needed to keep young kids safe as they explore Outdoor Education Space
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Access to Recreation Endowment Fund:
$2,000 towards the sidewalks that will make the planned Outdoor Education Space accessible to everyone.
Jennifer Sellers and State Farm
$500 towards sidewalks to make the Outdoor Education Space accessible to everyone
The BRANDT Foundation:
$5,000 towards creating outdoor museum exhibit space for items like grist mill stones
Williams Township:
$3,500 as a planning grant, which made it possible to seek other grant funding for Outdoor Education Space
Set-Free Reading
$10,000 to establish the Story Stroll and develop the Outdoor Education Space
WPLM is continuing to model sustainability through the addition of solar panels to offset our energy needs. The most recent grant, from the ALA, will help WPLM better serve all our patrons and visitors.
American Library Association (ALA)
$20,000 through Libraries Transforming Communities: Accesible Small and Rural Communities initiative
Inflation Reduction Act-- WPLM applied; waiting for funds to help further offset cost of solar panels
Illinois Shines
$22,000 to help offset the cost of the solar panels along with the EBSCO grant
EBSCO Solar Grant
$30,000 towards 60 solar panels that were installed on WPLM's roof in August 2024
Williams Township
$6,000 towards library cards for Township residents AND programming for kids, teens, and adults
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Public Museum Capital Grants Program
$42,900 towards transforming the weed patch behind WPLM into accessible museum display and programming space
Williams Township
$6,000 towards the shed, which will create presentation AND storage space
Williamsville Community Foundation
$5,000 towards the shed, which will create presentation AND storage space
The Lumpkin Family Foundation
$4,000 towards trees for the Outdoor Education Space
Illinois State Library through the Illinois Secretary of State: Road to Recovery Grant
$18,500 towards components to be used in outdoor programming for patrons of all ages
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Community Grants Program:
$500 towards the perimeter fence needed to keep young kids safe as they explore Outdoor Education Space
Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln Access to Recreation Endowment Fund:
$2,000 towards the sidewalks that will make the planned Outdoor Education Space accessible to everyone.
Jennifer Sellers and State Farm
$500 towards sidewalks to make the Outdoor Education Space accessible to everyone
The BRANDT Foundation:
$5,000 towards creating outdoor museum exhibit space for items like grist mill stones
Williams Township:
$3,500 as a planning grant, which made it possible to seek other grant funding for Outdoor Education Space
Set-Free Reading
$10,000 to establish the Story Stroll and develop the Outdoor Education Space