New Jersey State Library

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), authorized in PL. 104-208, as amended, provides federal funding for library programs. These funds are awarded to the State Library by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). LSTA replaced the expiring 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.

The focus of the Act is on two key priorities for library programs: 1) information access through technology; and 2) 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. Funds support grant programs for libraries and statewide services. The LSTA Five Year Plan states that depending on the focus of the grant program, public and academic libraries and library computer consortia will be eligible to apply for federally funded grants. When applicable, libraries of all types will be eligible to receive services resulting from the implementation of the project specified in the grant program.

LSTA regulations allow the State Library two years to expend an annual allocation. Under these circumstances, it is common for grants awarded in a particular fiscal year to be paid for out of both current and previous year LSTA allocations. Therefore, the total of grants awarded in a particular fiscal year may not be the same as the allocation for that fiscal year.

In FY 2000, LSTA funds were used to fund library grants programs and services for:

The LSTA Information Access Through Technology priority supports 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.

In FY 2000, LSTA funds were expended for the following grant programs and services:

Funds are used to purchase RLIN records for titles cataloged during the year by the Rutgers and Princeton University Libraries to be loaded into the OCLC online union catalog database. Through this grant 120 New Jersey OCLC library members (including the State Library's Access Center) have online access to the holdings of these major research libraries.

Public libraries who received a grant installed training centers and developed training programs to provide hands-on computer training for library users to: 1) develop skill in locating and effectively using information in World Wide Web, CD-ROM and other electronic databases; 2) be familiar with the Windows interface; and 3) acquire adequate computer mouse and keyboard skills. The following 10 libraries were awarded contracts:

Cherry Hill Free Public Library...$20,000
Center has 8 trainee PCs, 1 instructor's PC, multimedia projector and a networked printer. Ten courses per month are offered.

Clifton Public Library...$12,033
Center has 4 PCs and a networked printer. Five courses per week are offered.

Elmwood Park Free Public Library...$20,000
Center has 5 PCs, electronic projection screen and a networked printer. Fifteen courses per week are offered.

Hillside Free Public Library...$16,058
Center has 4 PCs and 2 networked printers. Six courses per week are offered.

Mount Laurel Public Library...$20,000
Center has 5 trainee PCs, 1 instructor PC, ComWeb's multimedia instruction system and a networked printer. Twelve courses per month are offered.

North Bergen Free Public Library...$20,000
Center has 8 trainee PCs, 1 instructor's PC, ComWeb's multimedia instruction system and a networked printer. Nine courses per week are offered.

Rockaway Township Public Library...$20,000
Center has 6 PCs and a networked printer. Twelve courses per month are offered.

Sparta Public Library...$20,000
Center has 4 trainee PCs, 1 instructor PC, LCD projector and a networked printer. Fourteen courses per week are offered.

Wayne Public Library...$20,000
Center has 9 PCs and a networked printer. Four courses per week are offered.

West Deptford Public Library...$14,294
Center has 4 PCs and a networked printer. Five courses per week are offered.

Total expended for Grant Program: $42,292
Program partially funded by the Technology Bond Fund for $17,542

This pilot project provides librarians with an opportunity to make E-Books (electronic books) available to their patrons and to develop effective ways of providing this service to the public. On April 19, 2000, there was a demonstration of the technology at the State Library which was followed by lotteries to select the participating libraries. Based on the population served, the following libraries were given a number of Rocket E-Book devices and allocated funds to purchase E-Books:

The Hub Library Network is composed of public and academic libraries and library computer consortia and the State Library which blanket the state and provide all public libraries with rapid, free Internet access and technical assistance. Eighty-four percent of the public libraries in the state now have Internet access through the Network. LSTA funds pay for: 1) Hub library members' fees for the Internet Service Provider; 2) line charges from the Hub Library to the Internet; and 3) technical support for the library members' local connections to the Hub. Many Hub Libraries also provide members with e-mail service and web page hosting. Free access to Informe, a Spanish language database of full-text articles, pamphlets and selected reference resources, is also provided by each of the Hub Libraries to their member libraries.

Total expended for Grant Program: $414,860
Program partially funded by the Technology Bond Fund for $66,676

The purpose of this grant program is to assist public and academic libraries and library computer consortia to acquire the necessary technology to further promote interconnectivity and resource sharing among all types of libraries in the state. Z39.50 software allows different vendors' Integrated Online Library Systems to talk to one another without the human user needing to know anything about the remote computer. Using grant funding, libraries and library computer consortia could acquire servers, WebPac software, Z39.50 software, 3M Standard Interchange Protocol software, NT software, users' licenses and vendor-supplied training. The following 19 academic and public libraries were awarded contracts:

The New Jersey Union List of Serials contains information on 31,000 periodical and serial titles owned by 625 New Jersey libraries. Through the NJULS, library patrons and staff have access to 194,000 local holdings records for direct forwarding of ILL photocopy requests, allowing requests to be filled rapidly and accurately. The New Jersey Union List of Serials database is maintained as part of the OCLC online union catalog database. Funds are used for: record conversion activities; updating the NJULS database; and OCLC online database maintenance fees. (NJULS costs are also supported by New Jersey Library Network Aid.)

VALE (Virtual Academic Library Environment), a consortium of 45 New Jersey public and private academic libraries, provides access to a variety of databases in electronic formats to its members. The consortium was awarded a grant to: provide full-time support for the maintenance of the locally mounted databases; implement necessary interface changes; and support the technical infrastructure to enhance VALE's web presence.

Over 170 New Jersey public, academic, school and hospital libraries are currently able to access a virtual statewide bibliographic database of library resources for use by their patrons and staff. The epixtech RSS Virtual Catalog Statewide Interlibrary Loan System allows for simultaneous searches of libraries' book collection databases. The system provides a fast and efficient way to make new Jersey's library resources available to all of its residents. Anyone in the state can search the virtual statewide catalog from any participating library's web-based online catalog, determine if the desired book is on the shelf of the remote collection and place an interlibrary loan request. The system became operational September 1999. It currently accesses lending libraries' holdings in DYNIX, Horizon, CARL and SIRSI web catalog databases. By the end of June 2000, 170 public, school, academic and special libraries were participating in the system. Of this total, 51 public and academic libraries are lending materials via the system. Over 21,000 items have been requested. LSTA funding partially supports the annual maintenance costs for the system. (ILL system costs are also supported by New Jersey Library Network Aid.)

The LSTA Services to Targeted Populations with Special Needs priority supports grant programs to libraries and statewide services for 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 LSTA Five Year Plan targets these services for persons, of all ages, who are having difficulty using a library; with priority given to 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.

In FY 2000, LSTA funds were expended for the following grant programs and services:

LBH offers direct library services to any New Jersey resident who for any physical reason can not read regular printed books with ease. More than 10,000 individuals are registered users of the Library. Braille, talking books, large print books and descriptive videos are available on-site or by postage-free mail. The Library has: more than 60,000 book titles and 90 periodicals; machines to be loaned free-of-charge for playing recorded materials; resource materials on blindness and deafness; and an outreach program to promote the use of Spanish language materials and a children's program.

In FY 2000, LBH circulated 510,000 items. More then 90 volunteers assist LBH in all facets of its operation. Audiovision, a radio reading service, is available to registered residents throughout the state.

An AT&T language line service is available to assist persons for whom English is not their first language to access LBH library materials. The library's web pages are presented in both English and Spanish versions.

In addition to its direct services, LBH has contracted with 10 public libraries throughout the state to make available, to registered patrons, a small collection of recorded books and cassette players to replace machines that need repairs. Federal funds support 25 FTE and 3 part-time staff positions in administration, readers' services, volunteer services, data processing, technical services, shipping and the Deaf Awareness Project.

This grant program provides funds for adaptive technology and requires that applicants develop or expand an existing program and/or service for persons with vision, hearing and/or learning disabilities. Funding is also provided for resource materials, consultant services and staff sensitivity and technical training. The following 4 college and 10 public libraries were awarded contracts:

Burlington County College Library, Call Lab...$14,986
Four workstations will be equipped with JAWS software to provide Internet access for visually impaired students. Two PCs, four 24" monitors and software training for staff will also be acquired.

Burlington County Library...$14,165
PCs with JAWS, pwWebSpeak and ZoomText will be placed at 3 branches to serve graduates of the DeWitt Access 2000 Program and users with visual impairments. Staff at headquarters and branches will receive training for customer service to persons with disabilities.

Camden County Library...$ 15,000
ZoomText software for computer screen magnification and voice synthesized reading will be purchased for the headquarters and 4 branch libraries for people with visual impairments. A series of classes for searching the Internet using ZoomText will be provided. Five CTTVs will be purchased. Staff will receive sensitivity training.

Dunellen Free Public Library...$15,000
Acquire adaptive technology, assistive devices and library resources to serve people with low vision, hearing and learning disabilities. Programs will be given to train non disabled parents to help their learning disabled children. Users with visual and learning disabilities will be trained to use a PC with pwWebSpeak, screen magnifier, Dragon Naturally Speaking software and a Kurzweil 3000 scanner/reader system.

East Orange Public Library...$15,000
Acquire CCTV, TTY and Eiki Listening Stations to serve people with visual, hearing and learning disabilities. Five PCs will be equipped with JAWS and MAGicNT screen magnifier and ZoomText software at the main library and 3 branches. Staff will receive sensitivity training. Workshops for people with disabilities, their families, caretakers and educators will be given.

Franklin Township Public Library (Somerset Co.)...$12,996
Offer programs for users with visual and learning disabilities that include: workshop on parenting skills for non disabled parents; one-on-one Internet and e-mail training using adaptive software. Coordinate volunteers and tutors of persons with disabilities to present training. Acquire PC equipped with JAWS and MAGicNT software; Kurzweil 3000 scanner/reader system; & Aladdin Rainbow Pro magnifier.

Kenilworth Public Library...$10,642
Monthly open houses to train senior citizens with visual impairments to use the Internet. Consultant will train staff to train people with low vision to use adaptive technology. Library will sponsor Disabilities Awareness Month. An action committee will develop policies and procedures for service to visually impaired patrons. Acquire PC with JAWS, Zoom-Text, pwWebSpeak software and a Kurzweil 1000 scanner/reader system.

Mercer County Community College Library...$14,988
Create 2 Univirtual Access Centers on each campus which will provide users with visual and learning disabilities with technology needed to make use of library, Internet and other PC based information resources. Acquire 2 PCs equipped with JAWS, MAGicNT screen magnifier, pwWebSpeak, Kurzweil 1000/3000 scanning and reading software and a CCTV.

Middlesex County College Library...$ 7,210
Purchase adaptive technology that will allow students with visual and learning disabilities to use reading technology in the library to access materials and have the benefit of staff to mediate their use. Acquire PC equipped with JAWS software, large screen monitor and Kurzweil 3000 scanner/reader system. Trained library staff will be available during all hours of library operation.

Monroe Township Public Library (Middlesex Co.)...$ 8,919
Hold open house at which adaptive technology, assistive devices & library resources are introduced to senior citizens with low vision and hearing loss. Consultant will provide sensitivity training. Acquire PC system with Internet access and synthesized reading software. Purchase TTY and core collection of feature film descriptive videos.

Montclair Public Library...$14,493
Acquire amplifying system, Reading Edge scanner/reader, multilingual speech synthesizer software, Reading Advantage magnifying system and audio described, sign language and coping video collections. Staff will receive sensitivity training and provide one-on-one training. Two open houses will be held.

Newark Public Library...$15,000
Present 30 evening American Sign Language classes. Acquire TTY, ASL video and CD-ROM materials on ASL training, parenting, family and signing. Host 3 sessions for children with visual impairments to use PCs and adaptive software. Acquire PC for Children's Room with JAWS, ZoomText, pwWebSpeak software.

Ocean County Library...$14,360
Acquire PCs with JAWS, pwWebSpeak and ZoomText adaptive software to be placed in 3 branches to serve graduates of the DeWitt Access 2000 Program and other users with visual impairments. Two staff at each branch will receive technical training and customer service training for persons with disabilities.

Rutgers University Libraries...$15,000
Acquire 6 PCs and Window Eyes web browser page reading software with voice synthesizer for 3 New Brunswick campus libraries and for the Camden, Newark and UMDNJ campuses. Consultant will be hired to train staff. Software will be purchased to test Rutgers' websites for ease of use by visually impaired persons.

This grant program funds public library projects to develop new services, programs and resources or to expand existing ones to meet the needs of unserved or underserved populations within the library's community. In FY 2000, children and young adults who are having difficulty using a library were targeted for service. This targeted population included: 1) at-risk or latchkey children and young adults; and 2) those children and young adults who need assistance in using the Internet; need home work assistance; lack proficiency in English language skills; and/or lack computer skills. The following 23 libraries were awarded contracts:

Atlantic County Library...$10,000
Basic library skills introduction to reference books, WebPac, electronic resources and pleasure reading.

Belleville Public Library & Information Center...$ 9,383
Homework Center for elementary and middle school children; workshops on homework, report writing and library skills; workshops for preschoolers and parents; outreach to parents.

Clifton Public Library...$10,000
Tutoring of immigrant children (grades 1-5) in math and reading skills using educational software, laptop PCs and trained tutors.

Dunellen Free Public Library...$10,000
Tutorials on reading, homework skills, library literacy and PC skills provided by young adult and senior citizen volunteer tutors.

East Brunswick Public Library...$10,000
Internet and electronic resources training for youth with mental and physical disabilities with the help of adaptive technology and software.

Elizabeth Free Public Library...$10,000
After-school and weekend tutoring (some bilingual) in the use of library resources; homework help.

Englewood Library...$10,000
Research and writing skills tutoring for 8th graders, including online databases, Internet searching and print resources.

Fanwood Memorial Library...$4,136
Library and computer skills for children and parents; reading readiness software and PCs for preschool and K-1 children.

Franklin Township Public Library (Somerset Co.)...$ 9,173
Basic reading skills for children (grades K-2) and their parents, with phonics puzzles, alphabet puppets, reading games and PC software for library and home use.

Gloucester County Library...$10,000
Tutoring program in math, science and reading for middle school students held at the Glassboro Branch involving Rowan University and high school student tutors.

Irvington Public Library...$10,000
Computer-based research skills for students grades 1-8 with formal after-school and Saturday sessions.

Linden Public Library...$10,000
Early childhood reading program for pre-kindergarten through 1st grade with PC software and books available to children, parents and teachers.

Monroe Township Public Library (Middlesex Co.)...$10,000
Basic skills instruction, library skills and homework assistance after school, for all levels of students, taught by high school teachers.

Montville Township Public Library...$10,000
Computer and Internet skills taught by library staff, volunteers and specially trained students.

Mount Laurel Public Library...$10,000
Homework help, library skills and technology assistance for young adults through a homework center and a series of library resource workshops.

Mount Olive Public Library...$10,000
Teen homework and computing center with Internet access, word processing, desktop publishing; classes geared specifically to teens.

New Brunswick Public Library...$10,000
Homework center to serve students in grades 6-8 with PCs available for Internet and word processing.

Newark Public Library...$10,000
Preschool programs featuring story hours, videos, performances and interactive play on the themes of character building and family values; reading encouragement.

North Bergen Free Public Library...$10,000
Library and research skills, with team support from library, staff, tutors and volunteers.

Ocean County Library, Lakewood Branch...$10,000
Homework center staffed by 2 paid employees and a corps of volunteers.

Ridgewood Public Library...$ 5,300
Resources targeted to children with disabilities including a specialist to train staff and evaluate the program.

West Deptford Public Library...$10,000
Homework center for students ages 11-18 including PCs with educational software and Internet access; staff and student volunteers will assist users.

West Orange Public Library...$ 9,925
Tutorials designed to teach online research skills to teens.

The Multilingual Language Materials Acquisitions Center (MultiMAC) purchases a wide variety of popular reading materials in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Hindi, Gujarati, Russian, Haitian Creole, Polish, Arabic, Tagalog for all age groups and reading levels.

The Center compiles and distributes quarterly annotated booklists of new recommended acquisitions. It provides: cataloging information for each new title; on-site facilities for librarians to examine materials; consultation and advice on the acquisition and cataloging of materials; and packets, in eleven languages, which contain information and signs for using a public library. It also sponsors workshops on library services to multi-cultural and multi-ethnic communities.

The Center, administered by the Newark Public Library, was established with FY 1991 Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funds.

The goal of this grant program is to strengthen local public library services, resources and programs to meet the literacy needs of adults, young adults and families. Projects funded under this program will assist public libraries to strengthen or expand their existing program components in literacy instruction, family literacy and/or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The following 16 libraries were awarded contracts:

Belleville Public Library & Information Center: $19,200
Bergenfield Public Library & Information Center: 15,679
Camden County Library: $19,424
East Orange Public Library: $20,000
Elizabeth Free Public Library: $20,000
Gloucester County Library: $20,000
Hillside Free Pubic Library: $11,955
Jersey City Free Public Library: $20,000
Libraries of Middlesex: $15,000
Montclair Public Library: 19,828
Newark Public Library: $20,000
Passaic Public Library: $20,000
Paterson Free Public Library: $20,000
Plainfield Free Public Library: $20,000
Vineland Public Library: $20,000
Westwood Free Public Library: $20,000

Statewide services, supported by LSTA funding, are administered by State Library staff or provided directly to libraries and the public. The State Library's objectives in providing these statewide services are as follows:

LSTA funding supports 7 FTE and 8 part-time positions at the State Library which provide statewide reference, interlibrary loan, computer technical support and public library development services to the library community and to the citizens of New Jersey.

Reference and interlibrary loan service is provided statewide for libraries and the public. The State Library has extensive collections of law, New Jersey government, Jerseyana, local history, genealogy and core materials. Any member of the public, who has a public library card, can apply for a State Library card to borrow materials.

Online access to information is provided through CyberDesk, web pages which contain extensive annotated web links to information resources for law, genealogy, health, medical resources, New Jersey government information, New Jersey documents, U.S. documents and other areas of interest to New Jersey residents. The New Jersey State government website recognized the State Library's web page, New Jersey Government Publications on the Web, by making it the sole link for state publications on its home page. Law Library staff have prepared full-text Legislative Histories for 1998 - 1999 laws added to the N.J.S.A.

The State Library's web-based online catalog and several full-text periodical article and information databases (EbscoHost periodical citation and full-text database, FACTS.com and NoveList) can be searched from on-site, home or the office. Persons with State Library cards can electronically submit loan requests for books from the State Library's collection or for titles not owned by the Library; and can electronically submit loan requests for articles available within the State Library's collection or in other libraries' collections throughout the State. Patrons can electronically transmit reference requests to the staff.

The Library Development Bureau provides consultant services and technical assistance to create, improve and strengthen library, information and literacy services. Administrative support for programs funded by LSTA includes: award of federal grants to libraries; generation and distribution of information to librarians, governing officials and the public; development and provision of online information about Library Development and Library for the Blind and Handicapped (LBH) programs and services; provision and/or sponsorship of continuing education opportunities; provide E-Rate and Technology Plan preparation assistance; and maintenance of the New Jersey Union List of Serials database. LDB Staff manage the Virtual Catalog Statewide Interlibrary Loan System, install software and provide training. Information Technology staff manage the Hub Library Network and provide Hub Library services to libraries in Mercer and Hunterdon counties.

As authorized in LSTA up to four percent of the federal funds may be expended for administrative costs in connection with programs and activities carried out in the Act. The State Library uses these funds to: manage the projects and activities that fall under the purpose of the Act; provide financial and program accountability for the administration of federal funds; provide reimbursement for members of grant Reader Evaluation Panels; conduct meetings with librarians to solicit input, feedback and suggestions about the programs being conducted; and evaluate the results and impact of the LSTA program.