The aroostook micmac council will serve the lifelong learning needs and interests of the community, particularly for high school, post-secondary students, adults, and tribal elders

The Aroostook Band of Micmacs received a $149,041 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services program (CFDA 45.311) effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2027. The award supports the Aroostook Micmac Council's community library operations serving the Mi'kmaq Nation in rural northern Maine. Primary deliverables include increased library staffing, implementation of a library management system, and expanded operational hours to enhance accessibility for the tribal community, particularly targeting high school students, post-secondary students, adults, and tribal elders throughout Aroostook County.

The project addresses documented community needs identified through prior surveys by establishing the library as a fully utilized community resource for lifelong learning. Success will be measured through tracking community library usage and gathering feedback via comment boxes and community surveys. This award exemplifies IMLS's Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants focus on improving core library services and educational programming while strengthening community access to information resources within federally recognized tribal communities.

The MI'kmaq nation in rural northern maine serves all of aroostook county, and its community library has been an underutilized resource within the tribal community. Community members identified related needs through an earlier survey, and this project will address them by supporting library staff, the implementation of a library management system, and increased operational hours for community access. Project leads will track success through community usage of the library and feedback via comment boxes and community surveys.