Illinois State Library

LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA)

APPLICATIONS FOR LSTA GRANT FUNDS ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED.

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is committed to sustain statewide resource sharing on behalf of the Illinois libraries and their patrons. Resource sharing is supported by delivery and the Illinois Regional Library System cooperative automated catalogs, commonly called the Local Library System Automation Project (LLSAP). Therefore, working with the Regional Library Systems to support and continue these services is currently our priority for the LSTA funds.

These statewide services provide the foundation for Illinois’ LSTA Goal 2: "Position Illinois libraries to provide access to abundant resources and information, both virtual and tangible, to collaborate for resource sharing, develop ideas that embrace technology and extend library services for all Illinois citizens.

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.

Through the Grants to State Library Administrative Agencies program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides LSTA funds to state libraries using a population-based formula.

The overall purposes of the Library Services and Technology Act are to:

• promote improvement in library services in all types of libraries in order to better serve the people of the United States,
• facilitate access to resources in all types of libraries for the purpose of cultivating an educated and informed citizenry, and
• encourage resource sharing among all types of libraries for the purpose of achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public.

The Act specifies the following priorities for the Grants to States program:

• to expand services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
• to develop library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic networks;
• to provide electronic and other linkages between and among all types of libraries;
• to develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
• to target library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and
• to target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children from families with incomes below the poverty line.

State libraries use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services. Funds may also be distributed through competitive programs or cooperative agreements to eligible libraries within the state.

Activities funded with LSTA monies must address one of the goals for Illinois’ approved use of LSTA funds and support one or more of the LSTA purposes. Illinois’ goals for FY2008 – FY2012 are:

1. Position Illinois libraries as the educational anchor of the community by providing opportunities that support information fluency and lifelong learning to address the diverse needs of Illinois residents.
2. Position Illinois libraries to provide access to abundant resources and information, both virtual and tangible, to collaborate for resource sharing, develop ideas that embrace technology and extend library services for all Illinois citizens.
3. Position libraries to further a literate Illinois by creating a reading culture that encourages reading fluency for recreation or education.
4. Provide tools for the future to facilitate the ability of libraries to lead their communities through planning, research, innovation, partnerships, best practices, and discovery to improve the quality of life for Illinoisans.

The Illinois State Library grant programs are administered with fairness, equity and accountability. Whether it is a local library’s project, endeavors of the regional library systems or a statewide initiative, we are proud of the impact these federal funds continue to have on library services for Illinois residents.

• 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

These statewide services and programs 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.