Illinois State Library

LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA)

LSTA Grants

The Illinois State Library administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) with funds distributed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. LSTA grants are available for the development of projects that provide and focus on library service, new initiatives and library activities. For more information on LSTA grants, contact the Illinois State Library Development Group at 217-524-8836.

• Available to all types of libraries that are members of the regional library system
• Announced during the spring.
• Programmatic grants intended to develop projects that provide and focus on library service, new initiatives, and library activities
• Equipment may or may not be needed to support the program or activity
• Federally funded

FY2010 Grant Offerings

A required Letter of Intent is due March 31, 2009. The applying agency will need their ELI login and password to complete this requirement. You may submit the required Letter of Intent via the following URL:

http://www.finditillinois.org/lstainstructions

The full Application is due May 1, 2009

In Sync With Technology
$5,000 - $50,000

Program Overview  |  Application

The In Sync With Technology grant offering provides libraries the opportunity to improve library services for their patrons by developing programs or services that integrate new technologies or significant equipment. This offering allows for the purchase of computers, significant equipment (capital outlay), and software or technology enhancements to be used in creating or delivering library programming or services with justification based on patron need. The equipment should reside in the library.

Digital Imaging

Program Overview  |  Application

• To digitize a collection, the range of funding is $5,000 - $25,000.
• To digitize an historically or culturally significant collection, the range of funding is $80,000-$100,000.

The Digital Imaging grant offering will assist libraries in providing greater access to collections through the creation of Internet ready digital images. This grant cycle has special emphasis to digitize valuable unique collections in Illinois that address local and Illinois history and resources. Applications for projects in other subject areas will be considered based on historical or cultural significance, as documented and justified in the grant application.

Dreamcatcher
$2,500 - $25,000

Program Overview  |  Application

Libraries participating in Dreamcatcher grants will plan and implement customer-based (or end-user-based) training programs based on the diverse learning needs of their audience. This opportunity provides grant awards for the development and implementation of educational training activities for the end user. Partnerships between libraries and other organizations or community groups are encouraged but not required.

READ: Reading for Education & Development
$2,500 - $25,000

Program Overview  |  Application

The READ opportunity provides grant awards for the development and implementation of need based reading activities, supported by reading resources for the end user. This grant is intended to encourage and promote reading through programming, and address the reading needs of an identified audience with new library materials.

FY2009 Projects

• Grant Management Manual
• Financial and Programming Reports - Due January 9, April 10, and July 10, 2009
• Budget Amendment - Due May 1, 2009
• Equipment Report - Due July 10, 2009
• Final Report - Due September 4, 2009
• FY2009 Library Services & Technology Act Grants Offerings

LSTA Resources

Accessibility Guidelines for Digital Imaging Grants

WebJunction Illinois
LSTA project information and documents as well as discussions on grant related issues, challenges, successes are being shared on WebJunction Illinois.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Background
Legislation reauthorizing the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as Title II–Library Services and Technology, of the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003, was signed into law (P.L. 108-81) on September 25, 2003. Click here for an overview and complete history of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Grant recipients must comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) if LSTA funds are used to purchase computers or Internet access (i.e., to pay an Internet Service Provider).

All applications submitted by public libraries, public schools, and consortia that include public libraries and public schools must attach the signed CIPA certification to certify compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act. View additional information regarding CIPA compliance.

Review of LSTA Applications
This is a competitive grant application and review process. Each LSTA grant application must stand on its own merit. The staff at the Illinois State Library and teams of reviewers will evaluate all applications using the Review Criteria and Rubic. Final recommendations for funding are made by the Illinois State Library with the grant awards subject to approval by the Secretary of State and State Librarian.

The Illinois Long Range Plan for the Use of LSTA Funds 2008–2012
The Illinois State Library has an IMLS-approved five-year plan outlining use of the federal LSTA funds. View the Illinois Long Range Plan for the Use of LSTA Funds 2008–2012.

Best Practices for Creating Digital Files
Any digital files created as a result of any grant project, and the associated metadata records, must be submitted to the Illinois Digital Archives (IDA). Applicants must adhere to the IDA digital imaging guidelines. View the IDA digital imaging guidelines at http://www.idaillinois.org/cdm4/guidelines/.

MARC Records
Any MARC records created, as a result of any grant project, must be added to OCLC WorldCat. View OCLC's Primer: MARC 21 Format for Holdings Data.

Evaluation of the use of LSTA 2003–2007
The focus of the evaluation of the Illinois LSTA program is the State Library’s Long Range Plan for the Use of LSTA Funds 2003–2007. View the Illinois State Library's LSTA Five-Year Evaluation Report for FY2003–FY2007.

Illinois Digital Archives Collection Development Policy
The collections in the Illinois Digital Archives (IDA) support access to local history materials and other significant collections in libraries, museums, archives and related cultural heritage institutions in the State of Illinois. Collections included in IDA must meet essential criteria which are included in the collection development policy.

Strategic Plan for Technology and Telecommunications
This plan establishes the strategic goals the Illinois library community must address to meet the information needs of the people of Illinois. Funding priorities and minimum standards are also specified in the plan. View the Strategic Plan for Technology and Telecommunications.

Strategic Plan for Technology and Telecommunications: Action Plan for FY10
The Strategic Plan for Technology and Telecommunications: Action Plan for FY10 recommends grant funds set aside for the use of technology to improve information access via the Illinois library network must be sufficient to make a measurable impact. As such, the ILLINET Network Advisory Council recommends a minimum of 40% of the funding available for competitive Library Services & Technology Act grants be allocated for projects that address this action plan and lead to models that can be replicated in other locales. View the Action Plan for FY10.

These grant project opportunities are made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Illinois State Library under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.