New Jersey State Library

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

• LSTA Advisory Committee Recruitment Memo (PDF) (Word)
• LSTA Advisory Committee Membership Criteria (PDF) (Word)
• LSTA Advisory Committee Nomination Form (PDF) (Word)
• Revisions of April 10, 2006 - NJ LSTA Five Year Plan, 2002-2007
• Revisions of April 18, 2005 - NJ LSTA Five Year Plan, 2002-2007
• New Jersey Library Services and Technology Act Five Year Plan, 2002-2007 (PDF)
• Report of Focus Group Meeting for the New LSTA Five Year Plan (PDF)
• State Library's LSTA Expenditure Report to IMLS-State Fiscal Year 2004

• Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
• Library Services and Technology Act Five Year Plan
• Evaluation of the New Jersey LSTA Five Year Plan, FY1997-FY2001
• Annual Report of Grant Programs Funded by LSTA
• Current Awards of LSTA Grants
• Detailed Descriptions of LSTA Funded Projects
• LSTA Grants Awarded by Congressional Districts
• LSTA Grant Applications
• Outcome Based Evaluation
• Reauthorization of LSTA

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), authorized in PL. 104-208, as amended, allows the State Library to annually award federal funding for library programs totaling approximately 3.8 million dollars. These funds are awarded to the State Library by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). LSTA replaced the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) when the new Act was signed into law on September 30, 1996.

LSTA funds are generally used as "demonstration funds" or "seed money" to enable libraries to initiate programs which would not be possible without outside funding. LSTA is not intended to supplant local responsibility or provide support for basic services.

Funds support grant programs for libraries and statewide services. Depending on the focus of a grant program, public and academic libraries and library computer consortia are eligible to apply for these grants. When applicable, libraries of all types are eligible to receive services resulting from the implementation of the project specified in the grant program.

The focus of the Act is on two key priorities for library programs:

• information access through technology; and
• targeting library and information services to persons, of all ages, who are having difficulty using a library and/or who are unserved or underserved in urban and rural communities.

The Information Access Through Technology Priority will support grant programs and statewide services which have the following objectives:

• establishing or enhancing electronic linkages among or between libraries;
• assisting libraries in accessing information through electronic networks;
• paying the costs for libraries to acquire or share computer systems and telecommunications technologies;
• electronically linking libraries with educational, social or information services; and
• encouraging libraries in different areas and/or different types of libraries to establish consortia and share resources.

The Services to Targeted Populations with Special Needs Priority will support grant programs and statewide services. Priority will be given for developing grant programs and statewide services for the following targeted populations, of all ages, who are having difficulty using a library and/or who are unserved or underserved in urban and rural communities:

• persons with disabilities (visual, physical, hearing, learning, etc.);
• persons for whom English is not their native language;
• persons lacking literacy skills;
• persons who are unemployed; and
• persons who are economically disadvantaged.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five Year Plan

The New Jersey Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five Year Plan contains detailed information on grant programs and statewide services that will be implemented and supported with federal funds.

Second Plan - October 1, 2002 - September 30, 2007
First Plan - October 1, 1997 - September 30, 2002

Evaluation of the New Jersey LSTA Five Year Plan FY1997-FY2001

The intent of grant programs developed for the New Jersey LSTA Five Year Plan focused on implementing local library and statewide programs and services that will insure that libraries remain viable and valued members of their communities and organizations into the 21st Century. This evaluation report reviews the impact of programs and services funded by LSTA for FY 1997 through FY 2001. The full text of the Evaluation is available online.

Annual Report of Grant Programs Funded with LSTA

This report contains brief descriptions of projects funded for specific LSTA grant programs. Current Awards of LSTA Grants provides an update until the next annual report is published. Information is also available on LSTA grants awarded by Congressional District.

• 1998-1999
• 1999-2000
• 2000-2001
• 2001-2002
• 2002-2003

Current Awards of LSTA Grants

Lists of current grant winners and brief descriptions of funded projects are provided for grants that have been awarded during the current fiscal year. For new LSTA grants look for the phrase "LSTA Funding" following the grant program title.

Detailed Descriptions of LSTA Funded Projects

This section contains reports of LSTA funded projects that have significantly improved the lives of people who received these library services.

• LSTA Success Stories are available on the ALA Washington Office web site. Select "Find a Story" and then select "New Jersey" from the drop down list. If you would like to submit a success story that resulted from implementing an LSTA funded project, contact the LSTA Program Coordinator at 609-292-2992.

LSTA Grants Awarded by Congressional Districts

List of LSTA grants awarded by Congressional districts for the years 2002-1997. Current Awards of LSTA Grants provides an update until the next annual report is published.

• District 1
• District 2
• District 3
• District 4
• District 5
• District 6
• District 7
• District 8
• District 9
• District 10
• District 11
• District 12
• District 13

Full-text copies of current grant program Guidelines and Application forms are available in PDF file format.

Outcome Based Evaluation

Outcome Based Evaluation Plan for an LSTA Funded Project

The State Library is participating with the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS) in a pilot project to develop a model outcome based evaluation plan for LSTA funded library programs. This evaluation technique measures changes in patrons' knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes as a result of receiving library services. The resulting outcomes can be a powerful tool for communicating library program and service benefits to the community.

The State Library and Mercer County Community College Library jointly developed an outcome evaluation plan which details how the College Library will collect data that will show that as a result of receiving library services students with visual and learning disabilities: 1) are able to independently make effective use of PCs with adaptive technology and/or assistive equipment; and 2) have increased their ability to successfully complete class assignments.

Information on Outcome Based Evaluation from the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS)

• Frequently Asked Questions About Outcome Based Evaluation (Word document)
• Perspectives on Outcome Based Evaluation for Libraries and Museums (PDF file)

Last updated: November 30, 2006
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