Library Services and Technology ActLearning Support : Minnesota Department of Education

Library Services and Technology Act
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Library Services and Technology Act

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) consists of a state grants program and competitive grant program administered directly from the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), including the National Leadership Grants, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program and grants for Native Americans and Native Hawaiians.

State Library Services, a division of MDE, administers the state grant program in Minnesota. It was signed into law on September 30, 1996 as part of the Museum and Library Services Act and reauthorized on September 25, 2003.  See Related Links to view the Institute of Museum and Library Services website and the Museum and Library Services Act.

The federal goals of the LSTA state grants program are:

  • To expand library services for learning and access to information in educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
  • To develop library services to individuals that provide all users access to information through local, state, national and international electronic networks;
  • To provide electronic and other linkages among and between all types of libraries;
  • To develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
  • To target library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and
  • To target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

The LSTA funds in the state grants program provide support for statewide library programs and seed money for projects that improve library services throughout the United States. In Minnesota funds are allocated based on the goals and programs in the current The State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan 2008-2012.  A copy of The Plan is listed below.  

2010 Grant Application Announcement - Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Program pdf icon 38Kb (11/30/2009)
     The Federal Fiscal Year 2010 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant Round opens in November 2009 with request to submit Letter of Intent
Eligible Applicant Requirements for Library Services and Technology Act Grant Program pdf icon 82Kb (10/16/2008)
     Requirements an eligible library must meet to apply for LSTA federal funding within the Goals of the State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan, 2008-2012.
Library Services and Technology Act Competitive Grant Timeline pdf icon 7Kb (11/17/2009)
     LSTA grant timeline for Federal Fiscal Years 2009 & 2010
Library Services and Technology Act Grant Appeal Process pdf icon 26Kb (10/1/2007)
     Competitive Grant appeal process and procedures
The Role of Continuing Education in LSTA Grants to States Priorities pdf icon 65Kb (12/5/2007)
     Institute of Museum and Library Services clarification regarding use of LSTA funds for generic training of library staff, trustees, or volunteers
The State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan; 2008-2012 pdf icon 219Kb (11/3/2008)
     The intent of this Five-Year Plan is to fund achievable projects that meet specific measurable needs within the goals and programs of the plan.
The State of Minnesota LSTA Five-Year Plan; Goal 1C Outcomes and Indicators pdf icon 74Kb (10/3/2007)
     Specific and detailed outcomes and indicators for library programs cited in Goal 1C-Target Programming to Children(0-17)
Tips for Writing a Grant Letter of Intent & Final Proposal pdf icon 71Kb (10/16/2008)
     Grant writing suggestions and tips for the LSTA Letter of Intent and Grant proposal application.
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LSTA Grant Awards


Annual abstracts for projects awarded through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) are available in this section.

Contact Jym Wroblewski, LSTA Coordinator/Grant Administrator for specific information regarding individual projects


2003 LSTA Grant Award Abstracts PDF Version 217Kb (7/28/2005)
     Annotated list of competitive grants awarded in Federal Fiscal Year 2003
2004 LSTA Grant Award Abstracts PDF Version 78Kb (7/28/2005)
     Annotated list of competitive grants awarded in Federal Fiscal Year 2004
2005 LSTA Grant Awards Abstracts PDF Version 46Kb (10/11/2005)
    
2006 LSTA Grant Award Abstracts PDF Version 56Kb (9/28/2006)
    
2007 Library Services and Technology Act Grant Award Abstracts PDF Version 125Kb (7/2/2008)
    
2008 Library Services and Technology Act Grant Award Abstracts PDF Version 91Kb (7/11/2008)
     Annotated list of competitive grants awarded in Federal Fiscal Year 2008

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LSTA History


Background information on the Library Services and Technology Act program and history of the LSTA funds in Minnesota
Library Services and Technology Act Five-Year Evaluation Report 2003 - 2005 PDF Version 683Kb (10/2/2007)
     Analysis and summary of the impact of LSTA funds to support, enhance and expand library services to the citizens of Minnesota
LSTA Five-Year Evaluation Report 1998-2001 PDF Version 988Kb (7/28/2005)
     Analysis of how Minnesota State Library Agency used LSTA funds to enhance and expand library programs. and