14 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Statutory Law: Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
20 U.S.C. 9121 et seq. (links to U.S.C. at Legal Information Institute)
Commentary
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) provides for a federal library program administered by the Institute of Library and Museum Services (IMLS). Each year, Congress appropriates funding for LSTA. These funds are distributed to the State Library Administrative Agencies for support of statewide initiatives and subgrants to libraries pursuant to each state’s Five-Year Plan. States are also required to make matching contributions.
Scenarios
Scenario 1: You are an assistant director in public library system with five branches in rural areas. The library board has authorized the construction of a new children’s and young adult wing to be added to the existing library building of one of the branch libraries. In addition to the construction, the project includes purchasing furniture, new children’s and young adult books (print and digital), electronic resources, computers, equipment for programs, and puppets. The library director has asked you to investigate whether LSTA funds could be available for any portion of the project. Using the Five-Year Plan for your state (or a state of your choosing), write a report to your director discussing the potential availability of LSTA funds for the project.
Scenario 2: In addition to any availability of your state’s LSTA funds for the project described in Scenario 1, write a report to your library director explaining other ways your library benefits from your state’s use of LSTA funding.
Recommended Resources
American Library Association. Library Services and Technology Act. March 11, 2019, www.ala.org/advocacy/fund-libraries/LSTA Document ID: f830b294-7714-6cd4-5164-9087c9cb5080
Cornell Law School. Legal Information Institute. www.law.cornell.edu
Institute of Museum & Library Services. Grants to States. www.imls.gov/grants/grant-programs/grants-states
—. Grants to States: Five-Year Plans. 2018-2022, www.imls.gov/grants/grants-state/five-year-plans
—. Grants to States Manual. www.imls.gov/grants/grant-programs/grants-states/grants-states-manual
—. Grants to States: Purposes and Priorities of the Library Services and Technology Act. www.imls.gov/grants/grants-state/purposes-and-priorities-lsta
Library Services and Technology Act, 20 U.S.C. 9121 et seq.