White Awards $3.9 Million In Library Services And Technology Act Grants
SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White today awarded 336 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants totaling more than $3.9 million to help libraries enhance their collections, foster stronger community relationships, develop digital imaging projects and implement new library programs and initiatives.
"These grants show a continuing effort by Illinois libraries to provide new and innovative services to patrons," White said. "Our libraries have been extremely creative in suggesting new programs and initiatives to deal with specific issues in their local communities, particularly in the area of expanding or enhancing services to underserved populations. As State Librarian, I am proud to be able to provide these important funds to our librarians so that they may continue to enrich the lives of Illinois citizens."
White cited several examples of creative programs that will be funded by FY2005 LSTA grants:
- The Centralia Regional Library District will provide on-site library services to nursing home residents.
- The East Dubuque District Library will create a digital photography camp for families.
- The Calumet City Public Library will provide funding to allow library staff to learn Spanish.
- Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 will create a multi-generational storytelling program allowing students and seniors to tell the stories of their lives to each other.
- To address a specific local need, the Prospect Heights Public Library District will create a Russian language newsletter developed by staff fluent in the language.
- Northern Illinois University will digitize materials published in Illinois newspapers during the American Civil War.
White said this year's grants were awarded in four categories:
- "Weed and Feed" grants allow libraries to enhance their circulating non-fiction collections, review their collection policies to weed and purchase new materials in selected Library of Congress/Dewey Decimal Classifications. The grants also encourage the use of cooperative collection management for a group of libraries.
- The grant offering "The Library: A Community Resource Without Walls" provides Illinois libraries, working individually or with partners, an opportunity to explore and expand community relationships. Grants may be used for such items as expanding a library service area, diversity projects that respond to library issues relating to minorities, ethnic groups and/or cultural diversity, and emerging population projects that respond to issues relating to, but not limited to, such groups as teenagers, home schoolers, and/or seniors.
- Digital Imaging grants allow libraries to create Internet-ready electronic versions of their materials and collections, specifically Illinois-related historical and cultural materials. Digital Imaging grants assist libraries in developing successful digital imaging projects and provide greater access to collections.
- The grant offering "Libraries Leading the Way" is an opportunity for libraries, working individually or in partnerships, to implement programs designed around new ideas or successful ideas that have been tried elsewhere. This grant provides individual and/or partnering libraries with the opportunity to try something new or to enhance and develop previously tested ideas and take them to a new level.
The Illinois State Library administers LSTA grants with funds distributed by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. Public, school, academic and special libraries are all eligible to receive the grants.
Libraries obtaining Fiscal year 2005 LSTA grants
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