The State Library of Oregon works to improve library service for all Oregonians through their local public libraries. As state-funded non-competitive grants, Ready to Read funds are an essential part of this mission. Grants are distributed annually to all legally established public libraries who apply for and report on their yearly grant spending. In the late 1970’s, state funding was initially allocated to support libraries serving preschool aged children. This has changed over time to include an expanded focus on summer reading projects. The Oregon Revised Statutes governing the Ready to Read grant program can be found in 357.740-357.780.

Grant renewed every year.

Ready to Read grants help communities support our youngest Oregonians using the below early literacy and summer reading outcomes to direct their work. Outcomes are broad enough to allow all libraries, regardless of size and location, to address a meaningful early literacy and/or summer reading community need. Libraries choose annually which outcomes they will work towards in their communities.

Early Literacy Outcome #1: Young children develop the 6 early literacy skills by the time they start kindergarten.
Early Literacy Outcome #2: Adults enjoy reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing with their young children regularly to help them develop early literacy skills.

Summer Reading Outcome #1: Youth maintain or improve their literacy skills over the summer.
Summer Reading Outcome #2: Youth demonstrate their love of reading and learning by choosing to engage in these activities during their free time over the summer.
Summer Reading Outcome #3: Adults enjoy spending time engaging in early literacy activities with youth over the summer to help them develop literacy skills.

Each biennium, the Legislature allocates a total amount of Ready to Read funding, half of which is distributed each year of the biennium. Grant amounts are calculated each fiscal year with a formula assigning 80% of the grant based on the number of children ages 0-14 being served, and 20% based on the library's geographic area service boundaries. Libraries receive a minimum grant amount of $1000 and apply for the exact amount they are allocated each year. For 2024, the State Library plans to distribute $818,461 to 143 public libraries in December 2023 to use in their Ready to Read projects.

For 2024, some allocated grant amounts may look slightly different than in previous years.Mostly this is due to a decrease or increase in the population of children in a particular service district. You can view the 2024 preliminary grant amounts posted here. If you have questions about your library's amount, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Please also remember that this is not a final amount - if any libraries decide not to apply for their allocated amount, their allocation is redistributed among all applying libraries.