To consolidate Federal library services programs; to
stimulate excellence and promote access to learning and information resources
in all types of libraries for individuals of all ages; to promote library
services that provide all users access to information through State, regional,
and international electronic networks; to provide linkages among and between
libraries; and to promote targeted library services to people of diverse
geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with
disabilities, and to people with limited functional literacy or information
skills.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
To make grants to State library administrative agencies which shall expend
funds, either directly or through subgrants, for: (1) Establishing or
enhancing electronic linkages among or between libraries; (2) electronically
linking libraries with educational, social, or information services; (3)
assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks; (4)
encouraging libraries in different areas, and encouraging different types of
libraries to establish consortia and share resources; or (5) paying costs for
libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications
technologies; and (6) targeting 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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: State library administrative
agencies which have authority to administer Federal funds, together with
participating libraries, and have financial resources sufficient to match
Federal funds may apply.
Beneficiary Eligibility: Users of libraries and
information services will benefit.
Credentials/Documentation: A 5-Year State Plan
must accompany the program application.
Pre-application Coordination: This program is
eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of
Federal Programs". An applicant should consult the office or official
designated as the Single Point of Contact in the State for more information on
the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if
the State has selected the program for review. The standard application forms
as furnished by IMLS must be used for this program.
Application Procedure: To qualify for a grant,
States must submit for approval by the Director, IMLS, a 5-Year State Plan as
defined in Section 224 of the Act. The Plans are submitted directly to the
Institute of Museum and Library Services, Office of Library Services, 1100
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 802, Washington, DC 20506.
Award Procedure: Grants are awarded to State
library administrative agencies.
Deadlines: Revisions to the 5-Year Plan are due
April 1, 2003. Revisions should be submitted, in the form of an amendment, and
only if there are substantive changes to the 5-Year Plan that was due on July
31, 2002.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: A time has
not been specified.
Appeals: If IMLS determines that the State Plan
does not meet the requirements of LSTA, the Director shall notify the State.
During this process the State has the opportunity for a hearing.
Renewals: A new State Plan is required every 5
years.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: Grants to States
are based on the most recent total population from the Bureau of the Census,
but with a $340,000 minimum for the 50 States, District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico, and $40,000 minimum for the other outlying areas. The Federal
share is 66 percent and the State matching requirement is 34 percent.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: All funds
are awarded to each State upon the approval of the 5-Year State Plan. Funds
must be expended by the end of the fiscal year following the year of
allotment.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: The IMLS requires annual financial and
narrative reports from each State library administrative agency. Each agency
must independently evaluate and report to IMLS regarding the activities
assisted under this program prior to the end of the 5-Year State Plan.
Audits: State and local entities that expend
$300,000 or more in Federal funds shall have a single audit conducted for that
fiscal year in accordance with generally accepted government auditing
standards. Entities expending less than $300,000 are exempt, but records must
be available for review by the officials of the Federal awarding agency, the
pass-through entity, and the General Accounting Office.
Records: Financial records are expected to be
retained for five years after the date of submission of the final expenditure
report.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 59-0301-0-1-503.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $135,366,938; FY 02
est $148,939,000; and FY 03 est $149,014,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: The
formula determining the assistance is based on population.
For fiscal year 2002, the State Library Program made 59 awards totaling
$149,014,000.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
The fiscal year 1998 State Grant Program guidelines for the 5-Year State Plan
were published for comments in the Federal Register, February 4, 1997. Contact
the website for the latest program data at http://www.imls.gov.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters Office: Institute of Museum and
Library Services, Office of Library Services, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.,
Room 802, Washington, DC 20506, Telephone: (202) 606-5252.
Web Site Address: http://www.imls.gov.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
The State Library Program funded programs that promote access to learning and
information resources of all types of libraries for individuals of all ages.
