ALA Names Grant Winners for National Mobile Literacy Initiative with Simple Mobile

Five public libraries will each receive $8,000 to launch mobile-first digital literacy programs 

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA), in partnership with Simple Mobile and World Education, is proud to announce the five winners of the Connected Communities: Mobile Literacy in Action grant.

Selected by ALA from a competitive pool of urban public library applicants, these libraries will spearhead a groundbreaking pilot program designed to transition digital literacy from the desktop to the pocket. While traditional programs often focus on computer hardware, this initiative recognizes that for millions of Americans, the smartphone is the primary, and often only, gateway to the modern world.

The 2026 Grant Recipients

The following institutions have been awarded $8,000 each to implement mobile-first learning modules tailored to their local communities:

• Inglewood Public Library (Inglewood, Calif.)
• Aurora Public Library (Aurora, Ill.)
• Free Library of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Pa.)
• Providence Public Library (Providence, R.I.)
• Los Angeles Public Library (Los Angeles)

Empowering Communities Through Mobile-First Learning

Through this pilot, these five winners will develop workshops focusing on essential "mobile-life" skills. Program activities will range from coaching on mobile banking and telehealth apps to family storytelling via messaging tools and critical training on privacy and scam awareness.

"This ALA grant will allow Providence Public Library to expand access to critical mobile device digital literacy skills for all Rhode Islanders. By helping community members confidently navigate smartphones and tablets—for work, education, healthcare, and civic life—we are closing opportunity gaps and ensuring that everyone can fully participate in today’s digital world," said Providence Public Library Director Jack Martin.

A Scalable Model for the Future

The program is the first of its kind to adapt the Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA) Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit for the U.S. library setting. By utilizing this standardized framework, ALA aims to reach at least 750 community members in the first year alone.

With built-in evaluation tools and a focus on measurable impact, the Connected Communities model is designed to be scaled nationwide, providing a roadmap for libraries across the country to modernize their digital equity efforts.

For more information, contact ALA Assistant Director of Literacy and Continuing Education Aubrey Huff at ahuff@ala.org.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About World Education

World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., strengthens the capacity of individuals and organizations to address critical issues in education, health, and development. For more than 70 years, World Education has partnered with communities worldwide to deliver evidence-based and equity-driven solutions