LSTA
The Library Services and Technology Act
The Library Services and Technology Act is up for reauthorization in 2009. It is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). State libraries use the funds to support statewide initiatives and also distribute the funds through subgrants or cooperative agreements to public, school, academic, research, and special libraries.
It is important to reach broad consensus within the library community on the goals for reauthorization. This will permit the ALA Washington Office to begin drafting legislation to be introduced when the next Congress begins in January of 2009.
At the Annual conference in Anaheim, an open forum for the library community to share comments on reauthorization was held at the Washington Office Update Session. This wiki is another opportunity for the library community to provide any comments on LSTA reauthorization.
Submit comments below:
I believe the Library Services and Technology Act plays a vital role to providing quality library services in this county in all types of libraries. I would like to see that LSTA is developed in such a way to allow for the States to have more flexiblility in how the funds are utlized. I truly believe that without LSTA, library services around the nation would be much worse off than they are today. The innovative programs the State Librareis have been able to introduce to their libraries have helped to pave the way for libraries of all types to transform to meet the needs of patrons. LSTA needs to continue to define what State Libraries should offer, but allow them the luxary of having some leeway in how this is accomplish. I have always said that a true leader proposes the right vision to the right people provides the right tools and then gets out of the way. I hope the federal government will continue to provide this type of leadership through the reauthorization of LSTA.
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies ASCLA has developed an official position on LSTA. Please direct any questions to ASCLA Executive Director, Barb Macikas.
Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REAUTHORIZATION OF THE MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES ACT
Library Services and Technology Act
August 29, 2008
The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has been a leader in the development of the Library Services and Technology Act since the early 1990s. ASCLA participated in the first revision in 2003 and is working with ALA and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in providing strong support for the Act’s reauthorization in 2009.
The following represents a summary of issues related to reauthorization and a consensus on a revised Library Services and Technology Act from ASCLA:
--Maintain the state-based focus of the LSTA Program: From the beginning of federal aid in 1956, one of the strongest foundations of the various acts (LSA, LSCA) and particularly LSTA, has been to continue a strong state-based focus where expenditures in the states are a result of state-written long range plans for statewide library development. This development follows the goals and priorities of the Act as expressed in law by Congress and should be maintained.
--Maintain maximum flexibility for the states: Another fundamental foundation of LSTA is for states to maintain the maximum flexibility possible in carrying out their state plans under the goals and priorities of the Act and the State grant program.
--Institutionalize Federal/State Cooperative Partnerships for Library Data Collection Programs: In 2007, the collection and dissemination of national public library and state library statistics was transferred through the budgetary process from the National Center for Education Statistics to the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It is important that these two statistical programs maintain their appropriate longitudinal focus, based first on state data collection, then federal reporting, analysis, and dissemination. It is important that these efforts be administered in a state/federal cooperative program in order to continue the maximum cooperation between all of the entities participating in the two national statistical efforts. ASCLA recommends that each state/federal data effort be coordinated by advisory committees that have a written foundation in LSTA or IMLS law.
--Institutionalize the “Librarian Education for the 21st Century” Program: ASCLA recommends incorporating the “Librarian Education for the 21st century” program in LSTA without reducing funding for the state grant program. For several years funding for this program has come through the budgetary process and is not currently a part of LSTA.
--Link LSTA goals and purposes with program priorities: ASCLA recommends explicitly linking the goals and purposes of LSTA with the priorities listed under the state grant program. This would allow states to fund programs that are broader than the state grant program priorities.
--Minimum allotments: ASCLA recommends that the minimum allotment for each state and the District of Columbia be $680,000 and for the Territories $60,000.
Connect to the LSTA webpage for more information on funding.
