My First Books Public Library Application 2026-2027
(Deadline: April 20, 2026)
The following Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) program application is only open to publicly-funded libraries in Idaho.
Please read the My First Books program description and requirements outlined on our My First Books website before you fill out this application. Please do not proceed until you have reviewed all requirements and do not submit your application until after you have received completed Community Partner Information form/s from your prospective site/s.
Important Note: Use the "Tab" button to move through this form, not the "Enter" button.
Have you distributed the Community Partner Information Form to your partners? Have all of your partners completed the form and have you received a copy of their completed forms by email?
If not, DO NOT PROCEED with this application. You must have important information from your partner before you can complete and submit this application. If you have questions, please contact Staci Shaw at staci.shaw@libraries.idaho.gov.
Please wait to submit this application until all your community partner forms have been submitted.
Community Partner Information Section:
You should have given each potential school/preschool/day care/Head Start/center the Community Partner Information handout, which requests information about their organization type, the ages and demographics of the children they serve, and contact information. Each partner should have then submitted the information through the JotForm link provided on the handout. You should have received a copy of that form in your email.
Note: Only one information form from each school/daycare/preschool needs to be submitted, regardless of how many classrooms/teachers at that site will be participating in the program.
A "Partner" is one location/site. A school district is not a partner; each school/site/location is considered one partner.
Please use the information submitted by your partner(s) to complete the section below:
1. Summarize the partner information here for up to three partner. This information can be found on the submitted Community Partner Information forms and the names, numbers, etc. you enter below should match the info the partner provided on their form.
3. If you have additional partners AND/OR additional children in excess of the 250 allowed above, please list them here. If funding is available, we will contact you about adding some or all of your additional partners or children. You can obtain Community Partner Information Forms from them at that time.
Need Statement
5. Community Need: Using data and statistics, explain in detail (5b) how participating in My First Books would fulfill a need in your community. First, select your data source in question 5a below.
It is extremely important to be specific and include hard data, because this question weighs heaviest when ranking applications.
8. In the event that the contact person named above is not able to fulfill the responsibilities of the My First Books Program, please name an alternate library staff member who will fulfill the terms of the contract (in the boxes below):
I understand the requirements of the My First Books Program, I support the library's participation, and I commit to fulfilling the terms of the agreement from August 2026 through May 2027, as outlined in the Program Requirements and Application Guideline document at:http://libraries.idaho.gov/my-first-books.
After you click Submit Application, you will automatically receive an email "Thank You" response verifying your submission, as well as an email with a copy of your submitted application for your records.
We will be contacting you regarding your application around the end of May-beginning of June.
If you have any questions about this program or your request, please contact Staci Shaw at the Idaho Commission for Libraries, (208) 639-4178 or (800) 458-3271 or at staci.shaw@libraries.idaho.gov.