IMLS Announces $149,014,000 in Federal Grants for Essential Library Services

2/12/2002

From: Eileen Maxwell of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, 202-606-8339, e-mail: emaxwell@imls.gov

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12 -- Robert S. Martin, director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), announced the award of grants totaling $149,014,000 to library agencies in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. These grants, which promote access to learning and information resources in all types of libraries, are awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act. Awards are made to each State according to a population-based formula; the State's Library Administrative Agency administers the funds.

States provide at least $1 for every $2 of federal support. The federal grants advance two primary goals: to provide technology and support for networking and resource sharing, and to provide service to people in rural and urban areas who have difficulty using a library, with a special emphasis on children in poverty.

Director Martin noted, "This is the premier federal grant program supporting some of the most important educational institutions in our country -- the nation's libraries. Libraries are at the heart of our communities, campuses, and schools across the nation. They complement formal education and extend education into an enterprise that lasts the length of the lifetime."

States can use these federal awards to enhance statewide services and to make subgrants to individual libraries in the State. Libraries report using these funds for a wide variety of programs including homework centers, early reading programs, expanded digital resources, technology training and more.

Here are just a few of the thousands of programs supported by this funding. Highlights of how state libraries use federal funds include:

Computer/Internet/Research Training for Community of Chiniak: Through a series of classes and open labs, the community of Chiniak, Alaska, learned how to use new technology available at the Chiniak Public Library. Classes focused on basic computer use and on the Internet and how to use it as a research and reference tool. In the final class, students completed a research project using the knowledge gained from the previous classes. In addition, volunteer staff was trained to be proficient with the use of computers and the Internet in order to provide better service to patrons.

Bloomfield, Neb., Public Library: The community need and desire for computers in the library had been well documented. A significant portion of the community falls below the poverty line and a survey indicated a strong interest in and need for computers for public use. Use of the libraries' three existing computers had increased 400 percent in the previous year. This need was recognized with a strong technology component in plans for a new library. New technology, purchased with federal funds, will connect the community to Internet resources, the public library, and the schools.

Linking the Library and Community Resources: Pemberville Public Library is a school district library, located in Northeast Ohio. The library's legal service area, is spread over 106 square miles and is sparsely populated. The library decided one of its roles was to act as a connecting point for all of the community agencies that serve the population. To do this the library created PEMLINK, a web based resource for the area which includes web pages for villages, townships, schools, libraries, civic organizations, links to businesses, and information on area festivals.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) -- IMLS is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation's museums and libraries. Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996, P.L. 104-208, IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act and the Museum Services Act. For more information contact IMLS at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 202-606-8536, or visit http://www.imls.gov.