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Library Services and Technology Act: The Ohio LSTA Competitive Grant Program

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By Missy Lodge,  Head, Library Programs & Development, State Library of Ohio

 
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program is open to all types of libraries in Ohio. Grant funds may be used to purchase items which will assist a library in meeting one of the two broad based purposes of LSTA: 1) technological innovation and electronic linkages and 2) services to the underserved. Eligible public, school, academic, research, or special libraries may initiate grant proposals. Three types of competitive grants are available: minigrants, disability grants, and full grants. 
 
The State Library of Ohio worked closely with a fifteen member Advisory Council which is broadly representative of the Ohio library community to develop a Five-Year Plan for the use of LSTA funds in Ohio. The 2008-2012 Five-Year Plan is based on evaluations of the previous two Plans (1998-2002 and 2003-2007) and input from the State Library Board. The current Five-Year Plan continues to address the six needs which were determined to be priorities in 1998. These needs were and continue to be: Strengthening ties between OPLIN, OhioLINK and INFOhio; Statewide Resource Sharing (ILL and Delivery); Automation of Non-automated Libraries; Encouraging Library Cooperation; Training and Technical Support; and Services to Underserved Populations.
 
Grant Programs
  • Technological Innovation: projects that incorporate the use of new technologies or use current technology in different ways to improve access, services, or support to library customers. 
  • Automation: to allow libraries that wish to automate to convert their card catalog and join a consortia and participate in statewide resource sharing. 
  • Targeted Populations: to provide services to targeted populations including, but not limited to, people of diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; individuals with disabilities; persons with limited functional literacy and information skills; and those individuals having difficulty using a library.
  • Services to Youth: to provide services to youth, ages birth through 18, with a particular emphasis on youth in poverty and those children from families with incomes below the poverty line.
 

Grant Cycles

Minigrants: 
Minigrants have a federal request limit of $24,000. These proposals are of short duration (5 months) and are most often used for one-time costs such as equipment purchases.
  • Request for Proposal issued                        mid-August
  • Proposals due at the State Library               late October
  • Review process                                            November - February
  • Presentation to the State Library Board        March
  • Grant Implementation Period                        April 1 - August 31
 
Disability Grants:
Disability grants have a federal request limit of $24,000. Proposals must include a funding request and a service plan, developed by a community planning committee, for providing access to information to persons with disabilities.
  • Request for Proposal issued                         mid-June
  • Proposals due at the State Library                mid-December
  • Review Process                                            January – March
  • Presentation to the State Library Board        March
  • Grant Implementation Period                        April 1 – August 31
 
Full Grants:
Full grants have no limit on the amount of funds being requested. Funded projects last one year. Full grants tend to be for larger, broader-based projects with multiple partners.
  • Request for Proposal issued                         mid-January
  • Proposals due at the State Library                early May
  • Review Process                                            May - August
  • Presentation to the State Library Board        September
  • Grant Implementation Period                        October 1 - September 30
 
A financial match of 25% of the total project cost is required for all grant programs.
 
Detailed information on the LSTA grant program, including criteria and eligibility requirements, grant guidelines, and examples of previously funded projects can be found at: http://oh.webjunction.org/ohlsta.
 
Questions regarding LSTA should be addressed to Missy Lodge, Head, Library Programs and Development at 800-686-1532, 614-644-6914 or mlodge@sloma.state.oh.us.