Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Last Updated: July 28, 2008
What is LSTA?
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) is the only federal
program exclusively for libraries. It is administered by the Institute
of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). State libraries use the funds to
support statewide initiatives and also distribute the funds through
subgrants or cooperative agreements to public, school, academic,
research, and special libraries. There is a requirement for a state
match, which helps stimulate approximately three to four dollars for
every federal dollar invested.
LSTA consolidates federal library programs, while expanding services
for learning and access to information resources in all types of
libraries for individuals of all ages. LSTA links libraries
electronically and helps provide users access to information through
state, regional, national, and international networks. In many states,
the state library network provides enriched content databases for
information access to all in the state.
Around the country, knowledgeable librarians use LSTA funding to
help patrons access essential information on a wide range of topics.
They offer training on résumé development; help on web searches of job
banks; workshops on career information; links to essential educational
and community services; assistive devices for people with disabilities;
family literacy classes; homework help and mentoring programs;
information on religions and other cultures; access to government
information; a forum for enhanced civic engagement; and so much more.
For example, rhe Connecticut State Library uses LSTA funds to
provide all state residents with online access to essential library and
information resources, including licensed databases, a statewide
library catalog and interlibrary loan system, and the electronic and
physical delivery of resources. Specialized research information is
made available to students and faculty. Recent activity has promoted
awareness of all Digital Library Services and their use is increasing
dramatically. The Digital Library has saved over $20 million for
Connecticut taxpayers.
LSTA was reauthorized as part of the Museum and Library Services Act
of 2003 (H.R. 13) and signed by the President on September 25, 2003
(P.L. 108-81). LSTA is up for reauthorization in 2009.
Funding
Every fiscal year, Congress provides funding for LSTA in the Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations bill. Federal resources help target library services to
people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds,
to individuals with disabilities, and to people with limited literacy
skills.
In 2003, when LSTA was reauthorized, Congress provided a new formula
based on a more equitable distribution of state formula grants. A
strictly population-based formula would not be fair to the small
states; the reason Congress legislated a formula that begins with a
state minimum of $340,000. In 2003, all of the states and Congress
agreed that the base should be doubled to $680,000 to help even the
playing field for the small states. With $171.5 million we can finally
provide small states with the amount Congress intended in the 2003
reauthorization while ensuring that large states don't face an undue
burden to achieve that.
Allotment of LSTA state grant funds by state
|
State |
FY 04 |
FY 05 |
FY 06 |
FY 07 |
FY 08 |
|
AL |
$2,507,472 |
$2,556,671 |
$2,610,549 |
$2,602,935 |
$2,545,491 |
|
AK |
$769,497 |
$828,563 |
$887,453 |
$888,213 |
$833,016 |
|
AZ |
$2,946,156 |
$3,041,222 |
$3,150,258 |
$3,211,248 |
$3,228,606 |
|
AR |
$1,704,034 |
$1,760,329 |
$1,820,073 |
$1,819,735 |
$1,766,109 |
|
CA |
$16,360,507 |
$16,457,012 |
$16,557,920 |
$16,506,165 |
$16,431,277 |
|
CO |
$2,516,533 |
$2,579,074 |
$2,642,220 |
$2,650,213 |
$2,612,765 |
|
CT |
$2,043,433 |
$2,100,240 |
$2,154,030 |
$2,141,681 |
$2,068,566 |
|
DE |
$843,489 |
$904,235 |
$965,243 |
$967,412 |
$912,962 |
|
FL |
$8,037,303 |
$8,172,813 |
$8,332,483 |
$8,429,449 |
$8,425,588 |
|
GA |
$4,349,960 |
$4,433,740 |
$4,522,400 |
$4,590,936 |
$4,622,315 |
|
HA |
$1,041,366 |
$1,101,687 |
$1,157,565 |
$1,157,491 |
$1,101,262 |
|
ID |
$1,084,890 |
$1,150,464 |
$1,215,563 |
$1,225,259 |
$1,180,138 |
|
IL |
$6,177,300 |
$6,214,291 |
$6,249,722 |
$6,216,116 |
$6,133,883 |
|
IN |
$3,263,933 |
$3,317,057 |
$3,369,822 |
$3,357,739 |
$3,292,765 |
|
IA |
$1,806,556 |
$1,858,287 |
$1,909,822 |
$1,902,157 |
$1,840,733 |
|
KS |
$1,706,659 |
$1,759,339 |
$1,812,456 |
$1,804,558 |
$1,745,712 |
|
KY |
$2,329,448 |
$2,384,878 |
$2,439,668 |
$2,433,669 |
$2,374,218 |
|
LA |
$2,505,725 |
$2,554,689 |
$2,604,141 |
$2,587,884 |
$2,409,825 |
|
ME |
$1,063,783 |
$1,123,275 |
$1,181,762 |
$1,177,883 |
$1,116,986 |
|
MD |
$2,946,918 |
$3,008,965 |
$3,067,643 |
$3,062,016 |
$2,988,627 |
|
MA |
$3,385,475 |
$3,423,733 |
$3,449,395 |
$3,413,560 |
$3,346,669 |
|
MI |
$5,023,914 |
$5,059,705 |
$5,093,053 |
$5,052,531 |
$4,941,233 |
|
MN |
$2,748,632 |
$2,807,289 |
$2,864,372 |
$2,856,123 |
$2,793,089 |
|
MS |
$1,777,168 |
$1,830,121 |
$1,886,927 |
$1,882,233 |
$1,809,550 |
|
MO |
$3,043,905 |
$3,096,707 |
$3,155,054 |
$3,150,050 |
$3,087,560 |
|
MT |
$889,652 |
$949,157 |
$1,008,157 |
$1,007,986 |
$952,693 |
|
NE |
$1,260,396 |
$1,317,786 |
$1,372,965 |
$1,370,433 |
$1,311,709 |
|
NV |
$1,461,347 |
$1,542,939 |
$1,634,252 |
$1,659,300 |
$1,628,664 |
|
NH |
$1,055,006 |
$1,115,181 |
$1,173,868 |
$1,172,791 |
$1,114,075 |
|
NJ |
$4,363,523 |
$4,412,959 |
$4,464,364 |
$4,434,773 |
$4,343,636 |
|
NM |
$1,317,328 |
$1,378,496 |
$1,442,371 |
$1,445,113 |
$1,392,895 |
|
NY |
$9,142,841 |
$9,146,819 |
$9,146,249 |
$9,074,434 |
$8,955,719 |
|
NC |
$4,241,339 |
$4,309,258 |
$4,394,254 |
$4,419,501 |
$4,401,145 |
|
ND |
$765,120 |
$821,842 |
$878,082 |
$876,330 |
$818,116 |
|
OH |
$5,643,905 |
$5,667,969 |
$5,691,792 |
$5,643,980 |
$5,543,747 |
|
OK |
$2,058,454 |
$2,112,874 |
| |
