Background: In 1996, Congress authorized the Library Services and Technology Act and subsequently reauthorized it in 2003. The primary goals of LSTA are:
- To promote improvements in library services in all types of libraries in order to better serve the people of the United States.
- To facilitate access to resources and in all types of libraries for the purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry; and
- To encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public.
Eligibility status includes certified or provisionally certified public, academic, school library media centers, private and research libraries, and library consortia. The Act strongly encourages collaboration, partnerships, and cooperative ventures among libraries in linking electronic information technology, services or programs. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administers LSTA funds. State libraries develop their own five-year plans and allocate federal funding to support the LSTA goals stated above.
Congress annually appropriates funds for LSTA to the Utah State Library to be expended according to the goals and programs of a Five-Year Plan, 2008-2012. Most of Utah's allocation (1.7 million dollars for 2007) supports the costs of statewide services, such as PIONEER database licensing, lender support, Regional Library for the Blind Braille services and large print collections and library development activities. The remaining money, traditionally $600,000 is available for an annual competitive grants program for funding library projects in Technology Infrastructure, Networked Information (digitization), and Enhanced Access to Library Services. The State Library Board annually determines the allocation of funding by program or grant category.
Grant Funding Categories: Libraries may apply for a Mini grant (up to $10,000) with a 10% required local match of the Total Project Cost or a Regular grant ($10,001--$100,000) with a 30% required local match. "In-kind" contributions can be used as a limited part of the local match.
Grant Calendar: The State Library offers two rounds of grant competition each year in the fall and spring. Current LSTA Grants Calendar
Funds Available for each grant round: Mini Grants ($100,000) and Regular Grants ($200,000)
For details of the LSTA Competitive Grants Program, the application process, and all required forms, see the LSTA Competitive Grant Program Information and Guidelines for Utah's Libraries, or contact Rose Frost, Grants Coordinator, (801-715-6742).