ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

Purpose and Outcomes

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant projects engage Illinois residents through library technology, programs and services for lifelong learning, and services to persons having difficulty using libraries.

Use of the federal funds is outlined in Illinois' Long Range Plan for the Use of LSTA for a sustainable impact on library services for residents of Illinois:

• Extend library services for all Illinois residents by providing access to information and ideas. This position is supported by providing diverse resources, whether virtual or tangible, embracing technology and sharing resources.
• Provide experiences supporting lifelong learning and information fluency to address the diverse needs of Illinois residents.
• Further a literate Illinois by creating a reading culture that encourages reading fluency for recreation and/or education.
• Provide quality library and information services through research and discovery, best practices, innovation and engaging strategies.

LSTA Funding

• The LSTA allotment is annually appropriated by Congress.
• Two financial requirements for receiving the federal LSTA funds are maintenance of effort and match. Under exceptional and uncontrollable circumstances, a state may apply for a waiver of the maintenance of effort.
• Comparing "Block" and "Competitive" Grants.

FY2012 Appropriation

• $7,000,000 Federal Library Services Fund

Range of Award

• $1,000 - $1,500,000

Eligible Applicants

Specific offerings may limit eligibility:

1. Illinois libraries of all types recognized by the State Library as being full members in an Illinois regional library system
2. Illinois regional library systems as defined by Illinois Compiled Statutes
3. Illinois library professional organizations, (e.g.: Illinois Library Association) and consortia recognized by the State Library

Targeted Program Participants

• Justified by local community need identified by the applicant

Legal Authority

• 20 U.S.C. Chapter 72, Subchapter II
• 15 ILCS 320/7 (g)

Program Impact in FY2011

Total Dollars Awarded

• $6,520,136 federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds

Number of Grants Awarded

109 FY2011 grants were awarded:

• 79 public libraries were awarded 95 grants
• 3 academic libraries were awarded 3 grants
• 3 multi-type regional library systems were awarded 5 grants
• 1 library organization was awarded one grant
• Forty-one projects (38%) reported outcome-based evaluation totaling
• Thirteen projects (12%) had statewide impact
• Forty six projects (42%) involved partnerships

Number of People Served

• 12,910,409 Statewide services impact the entire state of Illinois

FY2011 Vignettes from Public Library Per Capita Grants funded with LSTA

Huntley Area Public Library - A group of about fifteen members of a job-networking group visited the library for a tour and program related to our job assistance collection and resume writing software. Over the next few weeks, we had many phone calls from attendees who had lined up their first interviews in several months, and they were appreciative of the resources the library had to offer. Several of them have found jobs.

Cahokia Public Library - One of our English as a second language mothers began using the library as a source for English speaking skills. She also began to ask the librarians for assistance with some paperwork she was completing to begin working on her citizenship. She had not realized the wealth of materials and assistance she could find at the library in her quest to become a U.S. citizen.

Expenditures by Federal Fiscal Year

• 2011 Expenditures
• 2010 Expenditures

Top LSTA Projects Funded

• Top 20 LSTA Projects Funded 2011 – 2012
• Top 20 LSTA Projects Funded 2010 – 2011
• Top 20 LSTA Projects Funded 2009 – 2010
• Top 20 LSTA Projects Funded 2008 – 2009
• Top 20 LSTA Projects Funded 2007 – 2008

For more information about the LSTA grant program, please call 217-524-8836.