Grants to States
Stored: Grants to States
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Institute of Museum and Library Services |
| Top Organization | Department of Education |
| Creation Legislation | Library Services and Technology Act of 1996 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | Grants to States Program funds state libraries to boost access to education and culture, improving services and equity nationwide. |
| Program Start | 1956 |
| Initial Funding | $7.5 million (Library Services Act) |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Grants to States Program is a federal funding initiative administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) within the Department of Education, providing annual allotments to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) in all 50 states, territories, and freely associated states. The Grants to States Program distributes federal funds to State Library Administrative Agencies to support library services, enhancing access to educational and cultural resources across the United States, aiming to improve library practices and meet state-defined needs through a population-based formula, fostering innovation and equity in library access. Notable features include its allocation of approximately $180 million annually as of 2025, supporting over 1,500 projects yearly, and its evolution from the 1956 Library Services Act to the current LSTA framework, emphasizing technology and underserved populations.
Goals
- Strengthen library services nationwide by funding state-defined priorities, targeting improved access and literacy.
- Support innovation in library technology and programming, aiming for measurable advancements in service delivery.
- Ensure equitable resource distribution, focusing on underserved communities through SLAA-led initiatives.
Organization
The Grants to States Program is managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent agency under the Department of Education’s oversight for administrative purposes. IMLS distributes funds via a formula based on state population, requiring SLAAs—official state agencies like the California State Library or New York State Library—to submit five-year plans and evaluations. Funding comes from annual congressional appropriations, with a minimum base grant (e.g., $680,000 per state in FY 2024) plus population-adjusted amounts. The program’s leader is the IMLS Director, currently Crosby Kemper III as of 2025.
History
The program originated in 1956 with the Library Services Act (LSA), signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, authorizing $7.5 million annually to extend rural library services, evolving into the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) in 1962 and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in 1996 under the Museum and Library Services Act. The LSTA, enacted on September 30, 1996, shifted focus to technology and broader access, removing construction funding. Milestones include its 2010s emphasis on digital literacy and partnerships with SLAAs to refine reporting via the State Program Report (SPR) tool. It remains sustainable, with plans to enhance data-driven outcomes.
Funding
Initial funding began with $7.5 million in 1956 under the LSA, growing to around $180 million annually by FY 2024, adjusted for inflation and population. Funding is ongoing through IMLS appropriations, with no end date, requiring a 34% state match (e.g., $1 state dollar per $2 federal in FY 2024). Total allotments vary yearly—$189.3 million in FY 2023—supporting administration, projects, and evaluations across 59 SLAAs.
Implementation
The program is implemented by distributing funds annually to SLAAs, starting in 1956 and refined under LSTA in 1996, based on Census population data adjusted every three years. SLAAs use these funds for projects outlined in five-year plans (e.g., 2023–2027), such as digital access or literacy programs, reporting outcomes via the SPR. It has no end date, tied to IMLS’s mission to support libraries indefinitely.
Related
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- Library Services and Technology Act
- State Library Administrative Agency
External links
- https://www.imls.gov/grants/grants-states
- https://www.imls.gov/our-work/grants-states
- wikipedia:Library Services and Technology Act