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March 30, 2006

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

White Announces Illinois State Library Receives $6.2 Million In Federal LSTA Funds To Distribute To Libraries

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced today that the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services has awarded the Illinois State Library $6.2 million in Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) funding to distribute to libraries and regional library systems.

"Illinois librarians are very talented in recognizing specific needs and using LSTA funds to address those local needs," White said. "These funds encourage and reward creativity and innovation. Over the years LSTA grants have resulted in creative new programs in our state's more than 4,000 libraries."

Every year the IMLS awards this funding to state libraries, and in Illinois the State Library administers the funds through a competitive grant program. Libraries and regional library systems develop grant proposals based on specific guidelines. LSTA grants are highly prized by the Illinois library community. Grant amounts range from a low of $300 to as high as $100,000. Libraries are currently developing and submitting letters of intent to the State Library in the hopes of obtaining an LSTA grant later this year.

"Our librarians are always looking to the future, and looking for new ways to educate, entertain and enlighten our patrons," White said. "LSTA grants help provide our libraries with some of the financial resources they need to remain our state's most reliable sources of information."

Illinois libraries use LSTA grants in areas such as enhancing their collections, bringing in trainers to educate patrons and staff, fostering stronger community relationships, developing digital imaging projects and implementing new library programs and initiatives.

The grants are available to academic, school, public and special libraries and regional library systems. They are awarded according to a population-based formula, and states provide at least one dollar for every two dollars of federal support.

More information about LSTA grants is available at the State Library's website at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/lsta2007.html. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 122,000 libraries and 15,000 museums. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov.