We administer the LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) program, funded through the independent federal agency IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services).

The State Library of Ohio uses federal LSTA funds in one of three ways:

1. Supporting in-house initiatives, e.g., the Summer Library Program
2. Supporting statewide initiatives, e.g., Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and Guiding Ohio Online
3. Competitive grant programs

Our staff works with the LSTA Advisory Council to determine funding priorities each year. Announcement of grant availability is posted on library listservs and application materials and the timeline for each grant cycle can be found on the website.

Examples of Previously Funded Projects

• Open Grants 2019-2020
• Open Grants 2018-2019
• Open Grants 2017-2018
• Open Grants 2016-2017
• Open Grants 2015-2016
• Competitive Grants 2016-2017
• Competitive Grants 2015-2016
• Grants Awarded 2012-2013

Five Year Plan

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) requires each state to create a 5-year plan outlining how it will use LSTA funds for programs and projects to strengthen the efficiency, reach, and effectiveness of library services in the state. The State Library of Ohio works with the State Library Board and the LSTA Advisory Council to develop the LSTA Five-Year Plan.

Ohio LSTA Five Year Plan 2018 – 2022

Ohio LSTA Five Year Plan 2013 – 2017

Five Year Plan Evaluation

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) requires each state to evaluate their 5-year plan, investigating how LSTA funds are being allocated for programs and projects to strengthen the efficiency, reach, and effectiveness of library services in the state.

The State Library of Ohio worked with The Bishoff Group, LLC, on the evaluation during 2016. Below is a link to the Recommendations and Executive Summary of the 121-page report created by The Bishoff Group. If you would like additional information or have questions about this report, please contact the LSTA office via lsta@library.ohio.gov.

Ohio LSTA Five Year Plan Evaluation Report

Institute of Museum and Library Services (ILMS)

IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides library grants, museum grants, policy development, and research.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

For more than 50 years, the Library Services and Technology Act Grants to States program and its predecessor programs have supported the delivery of library services in the U.S.

LSTA Grants to States funds have been used by states to meet the needs of children, parents, teenagers, adult learners, senior citizens, the unemployed, and the business community. One of the program’s statutory priorities is to address underserved communities and persons having difficulty using a library, and approximately ten percent of grant funds in recent years have supported library services for the blind and physically handicapped. The program also meets the needs of the current and future library workforce.

Banner photo above: In developing their Innovation Lab, Westerville Public Library (WPL) purchased multiple technology items such as Dash & Dot, Ozobot, and Code-a-Pillar to expand tech programming for students in grades K-12.  All components of the WPL Innovation Lab focus on teaching new skills, inspiring creativity, or supporting other technology tools while creating new avenues for learning. The project was funded in-part by a federal IMLS LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.

The following OHIO LSTA grant programs are currently open

Open Grant

Proposals may be submitted anytime; typically, notification is delivered within 30 days of receipt. Ideally, grant projects will not cross Federal Funding years (September and October of the same calendar year).  As of May 2018, awarded grants will commence* as outlined below.  If awarded, grant term will likely be:

*Commencement dates may be flexible upon request.

Open Grant RFP

Metadata Mini-Grant

In conjunction with the Ohio Digital Network, the purpose of the grant program is to empower libraries and museums to prepare their collections for the Digital Public Library of America. Libraries may apply for up to $4999 in federal LSTA funds to prepare collections for DPLA.

Libraries may use the awarded funds to pay metadata contractors, vendors, or obtain other services (including digitization) needed to ensure the collection meets the ODN and DPLA Metadata Application Profile guidelines. 80% of funds will be processed at the beginning of the grant term, with the remaining 20% to be processed upon approved metadata remediation. Please refer to the Grant FAQs for information on how to use the funds and see the Ohio Digital Network Website for metadata requirements for inclusion in DPLA.

Metadata Mini-Grant

ARPA Outreach Grant Program

The ARPA Outreach Grant application period has ended.

CARES ACT Mini-Grant Program

The CARES ACT Mini-Grant Program application period has ended.

Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors Grant Program

The Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors (COBAA) is an opportunity for Ohio libraries to apply for grant funds to build or expand a collection of books receiving honors and awards in Ohio and by Ohio authors.  In 2016, The State Library of Ohio announced the availability of LSTA funds to support COBAA. This grant initiative provides funds specifically for collection development purposes, connecting Ohio readers to Ohio authors and Ohio book award winners. This year, in its sixth iteration, the grant award is a maximum of $2,000 per eligible institution.

COBAA Grant

2022-2023 Competitive Grants

All types of Ohio libraries are eligible to apply for LSTA funds. Applicants may request up to $50,000 in federal funds and all projects must include a 25% local cash match of the total project cost.

Competitive grant applications are accepted in the following categories:

• • Data Management and Analytics – Create strong libraries and communities by defining outcomes, developing assessments, drawing conclusions from data, data visualizations, and/or managing and using data to make better decisions.
  • Literacy – Supports the library role in the learning experience where literacy is defined as the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms and tools, and it encompasses early literacy, digital literacy, functional literacy, and others.
  • Outreach and Partnerships – Assist libraries in providing new and innovative ways of providing services to users and potential users and in reaching individuals at a range of locations and through a variety of methods.
  • STEM (or STEAM) – Provides for innovative and adaptable projects which will include creative, educational, programmatic and/or instructional elements designed to increase skills and knowledge for student success.

Competitive Grant

Conservation and Preservation Grant

The Special Grant provides institutions funding to conserve an item(s) in their collection. Attendance at the Conservation Care Workshop is required in order to apply.

CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION GRANT

Summer Library Program Grant

Summer Library Program Grant applications are closed. The following is provided for information purposed only.The Summer Library Program (SLP) is an opportunity for Ohio libraries to enhance their  SLP/SRPs with library-led activities that spark creativity and productivity, engage individuals, and benefit their communities. Libraries may apply for up to $1500 in federal LSTA funds to support their SLP. Local matching funds are not required for this grant.

SLP Grant

Questions may be addressed to lsta@library.ohio.gov or 800-686-1532.

LSTA Publicity Information

All publications, press releases, websites, events, and products (including promotional materials) produced as part of the LSTA project must credit both the State Library of Ohio and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. IMLS logos, taglines, and guidelines are detailed in the Grantee Communications Kit.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services suggests you use the following language when writing press releases: “Thanks to a grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), awarded by the State Library of Ohio…..”

In terms of publications, products, and events, the LSTA Office recommends using one of the following options.

This project was supported in whole or in part by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State Library of Ohio. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of IMLS or the State Library of Ohio, and no official endorsement by either agency should be inferred. Or,

This publication was funded through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio. The content does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the granting agencies.

Or,

This event is supported by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

For space–saving concerns you may also use “This publication funded in part through a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services LSTA grant awarded by the State Library of Ohio.”

If you promote grant-funded projects through social media, please be sure to tag both IMLS and the State Library.

The State Library logo is available for download.

Twitter: #US_IMLS and #statelibohio

Facebook: facebook.com/USIMLS and facebook.com/StateLibraryOhio

Questions may be addressed to lsta@library.ohio.gov or 800-686-1532.

LSTA Equipment Policies

Equipment purchased as part of an LSTA grant is subject to federal regulations (45 CFR 1183.32), state and grant requirements.

Inventory Requirements

Equipment costing more than $5,000 per item purchased in whole or in part with federal funds must be carried on a federal equipment inventory. Each piece of equipment meeting the above requirements must carry a sticker with the project number, library inventory number and date of purchase. In addition, federal regulations require that the following information be kept as part of the equipment inventory form:

• A description of the equipment including manufacturer’s model number, if any
• Identification number, such as the manufacturer’s serial number
• Identification of the grant under which the equipment was acquired
• Vendor, acquisition date and cost
• Federal share (percent of acquisition cost paid by LSTA funds)
• All pertinent information relating to the ultimate transfer, replacement or disposition of the equipment

All equipment purchased as part of an LSTA grant must be inventoried. For cooperative projects equipment must remain on the inventory of the administering agency for the lifetime of the award. It is recommended that upon termination of the grant, the administering agency request, in writing, that the inventory be transferred to the participating libraries. Requirements for equipment disposition then become the responsibility of the individual libraries.

Guidelines For Equipment Disposition Due To Upgrades, Broken or Obsolete Equipment

Should a library wish to dispose of equipment purchased as part of an LSTA grant, they need to notify the State Library. A letter or email should be sent to the LSTA office indicating the grant name and project number or year, what equipment is to be disposed of and why. State Library staff will respond indicating that the library may trade–in, sell, or discard the equipment and any proceeds received shall be allocated for the library’s technology projects.

Guidelines For Equipment Disposition in Cases of Library Closures or Mergers

Should equipment no longer be needed for use in the library, it must revert back to the State Library for reallocation to another library. The State Library will redistribute equipment based on the following guidelines:

• Equipment may not be transferred to a classroom or other facility not associated with a library.
• If the Subgrantee Library has other operational library facilities (branches of a public library, media centers in a school district for example), the subgrantee may request permission from the State Library to transfer the equipment to one or more of the operating facilities.
• If the Subgrantee Library does not have other operational library facilities or cannot use the equipment in those facilities, the equipment will be redistributed by the State Library in one of the following ways:
• If the original LSTA grant was through a cooperative project (ITC, Regional Library System for example) the administering agency will make a recommendation to the State Library as to which library(ies) from the original grant should receive the equipment.
• If the original LSTA grant was awarded to an individual library, the State Library in consultation with the library administration and other regional or network providers will determine what library(ies) should receive the equipment.

CIPA and LSTA

What is CIPA?

CIPA stands for the Children’s Internet Protection Act, passed by Congress and upheld by the US Supreme Court.

What sources of federal funds are affected?

The LSTA and E-Rate programs are affected.

What libraries are affected?

If your public, elementary, or secondary school library applies for an LSTA grant from the State Library of Ohio to provide Internet service, computers, e-book readers, or iPads that access the Internet, your library must be incompliance with CIPA.

What does “compliance” mean?

Your library must provide a means to block images that constitute obscenity, child pornography and prevent minors from obtaining access to material that is harmful to them.

What about cell phones?

They are eligible for LSTA if they do not connect to the Internet.

Can the means to block images be included in the grant application?

No.

Must a library subject to CIPA filter staff terminals/computers?

Yes.  All library computers, including staff computers, must have a technology protection measure installed and running that blocks obscene/child pornography images.