Illinois State Library

ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY GRANT PROGRAMS - LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT

FROM LSA to LSTA: LEGISLATION

In 1956, Congress passed the Library Services Act (LSA) to stimulate use of state and local funds for library improvement throughout the nation (P.L. 84-597). The Act was "designed to assist in remedying a serious deficiency in the educational program of the United States " -- the lack of adequate library services.

The LSA encouraged states to implement comprehensive programs to meet the library services needs of their residents by establishing "State Library Administrative Agencies", with authority under state law to administer statewide library development programs. Fifty-nine state agencies now ensure that library services reach individuals throughout the United States. Congress has continually reauthorized the Library Services legislation since its inception.

In 1996, Congress modified the priorities of the Federal program. Congress enacted the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) of 1996 (Subchapter II of the Museum and Library Services Act, 20 U.S.C. § 9101), which recognized the opportunities afforded by new technologies in promoting access to learning and information resources in all types of libraries for individuals of all ages.

On September 25, 2003 President George W. Bush signed into law the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-81), which also incorporates the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) of 1996. The Library Services and Technology Act, a section of the Museum and Library Services Act of 2003, promotes access to information resources provided by all types of libraries.

The purposes of LSTA are to promote improvement in library services, facilitate access to resources in libraries and to encourage resource sharing in all types of libraries for the specific purpose of better serving the people of the United States, cultivating and educated an informed citizenry and achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the public (20 U.S.C. § 9121). The LSTA also incorporate the ongoing Grants to States program (20 U.S.C. § 9141).

OVERVIEW OF IMLS

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

Most activities of the Institute of Museum and Library Services are authorized by Chapter 72 of Title 20 of the U.S. Code (20 USC CHAPTER 72). This statute is the result of two laws, the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 and the reauthorization of that act in 2003.

GRANTS TO STATES PROGRAM

Under the Grants to States Program, the LSTA authorizes the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services to provide funds to 59 State Library Administrative Agencies ("SLAA") (20 U.S.C. § 9133(a). The statute defines an SLAA as "the official agency of a state charged by the law of the state with the extension and development of public library services throughout the state" (20 U.S.C. § 9122(4). In Illinois, the Illinois State Library is the SLAA.

Each state must certify that its designated SLAA has the fiscal and legal authority and capacity to administer all aspects of the LSTA. (20 U.S.C. § 9122(5). In addition, each state must identify the state's library needs, describe activities to be supported with the assistance of federal funds, and assure IMLS that the state will establish policies, priorities, criteria and procedures to implement the LSTA Grants to States program. This is accomplished through a five-year plan for the use of LSTA funds.

Through the Grants to States Program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides funds to the Illinois State Library and other State Library Administrative Agencies, using a population-based formula. State libraries have the option of using the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services. They also may distribute the funds through sub-grant competitions or cooperative agreements to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries in their state.

Each state has an IMLS-approved five-year plan outlining its programs. These programs support the one or more of the purposes of LSTA, which are 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;
• Develop library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic networks;
• Provide electronic and other linkages between and among all types of libraries;
• Develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
• 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
• 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.

The four Illinois goals for the use of LSTA funds 2008 - 2013 incorporate the above purposes of LSTA:

• GOAL 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.
• 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.
• GOAL 3: Position libraries to further a literate Illinois by creating a reading culture that encourages reading fluency for recreation or education.
• GOAL 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.

All activities funded with LSTA address an Illinois goal and one or more purposes of LSTA.

For more information on the uses of LSTA funds in Illinois, please refer to the Long Range Plan for the Use of LSTA Funds 2008 - 2012 or the Evaluation of the Use of LSTA 2003-2007.