LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA)
LSTA delivers statewide library development initiatives, special projects, and important services to Kentucky's libraries and communities. The program encourages the blending of local, state, and federal resources to build and enhance library services. These funds strengthen connections and provide vital services to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives and 120 libraries. Kentucky receives $2,723,227 each year to use in the federal fiscal year beginning October 1st and ending September 30th through the Grants to States program. This represents 24% of KDLA's operating budget.
Federal LSTA funding supports resources and programs that reach every county of the state, almost every community, and educational institutions. These funds are used to support employment information services, early literacy and adult literacy programs, and access to high-quality electronic resources.
Workforce Development is one priority. LSTA funds workforce training, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and job resources. KDLA's continuing education team provide access through databases and special programs to develop the skills to navigate the online world. There is an increased need for additional services such as telehealth, remote/virtual work, and alternative high school options. Libraries use outreach vehicles to bring technology to hard to reach places while some offer the ability to check out laptops and/or hotspots. Guidance on technology and E-Rate is also supported by KDLA's federal grant.
Working with preschool children is incredibly important for brain development and future literacy skills attainment. LSTA supports youth and young adults through early literacy training, access to special collections, programming conferences and meetings, online resources, continuing education through coursework and conferences, family literacy programs like Prime Time, and many other evidence-based learning opportunities.
Federal funds support the Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL), which provides resources accessible 24/7 online. It is important for students to access quality vetted information through a consortium like KYVL, which they can access from their earliest years through post-secondary education. The internet is fraught with inaccurate information while KYVL's resources are selected by professionals based on the needs of Kentuckians. KYVL provides more than 60 core research and other educational databases and supports learners of all kinds. KYVL offers practice standardized tests such as ASVAB, SAT, LSAT, and others. Other resources provided by KDLA include TeachingBooks to support reading and literacy, as well as online access to Newsbank and specialty databases like JStor and BioOneComplete. Through KYVL, Kentucky Digital Library provides a platform for shared digital archives in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
KYVL courier service facilitates cost-effective sharing of library and instructional materials throughout the Commonwealth to provide high-quality resources to all Kentuckians. Interlibrary loans and programming materials from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives funded by LSTA serve to complement to KYVL's electronic databases and other resources. Many of the Kentucky libraries are located in rural communities rely on these services to have access to a variety of resource offerings.
The Kentucky Talking Book Library (KTBL) provides free library service to people who cannot read traditional print because they have a visual, physical, or reading disability. Audio and Braille materials are sent to and from users by postage-free mail, or can be downloaded from the internet. A special Talking Book player is provided on loan. KTBL has been in operation since 1969 and is part of a national network of libraries administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, a branch of the Library of Congress.
LSTA funds improve public library service throughout the state by having the Kentucky State Board for the Certification of Librarians program that certifies public library staff and monitors their professional development. KDLA is able to train and support public librarians, library staff, and library boards with ongoing continuing education opportunities, tuition reimbursement, and certification programs for public library staff and trustees. State Library staff provide consulting services to librarians and boards on best practices in librarianship.
Funding from IMLS supports literacy and promotes STEM concepts in libraries with the statewide Collaborative Summer Library Program, over 400 interactive learning and book kits, and support of SIP2GO, a hands-on partnership with the Kentucky Science Center bringing interactive learning to public libraries. Several of the awarded grants have supported local STEM and STEAM projects for school age children.
Collect and provide data on Kentucky's population, demographics, libraries, programs, and more through the Library Development Branch and the State Data Coordinator. These statistical reports are provided each year on KDLA's website so that anyone can access the longitudinal data of library service. This statistical gathering provides historical information for better decision making around Kentucky specific data points. This service map below indicates that 100% of Kentuckians have access to a library in less than 30 minutes.
KDLA was also awarded a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant in the amount of $249,388 from IMLS. These funds are used to support the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and information leaders; and recruiting, educating and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals.
The University of Kentucky School of Information Science conducted a Return on Investment Study for Kentucky's public libraries with preliminary data being released:
- Impact of Expenditures is $179.8M (salary + capital + purchases)
- Total Revenue (Investment): $242,587,375
- Total benefit = $179.8M + 421.6 M = $601.4M
- Other libraries' Return on Investment Study data.
For every $1 spent, Kentucky's public libraries provide =$3.34 in return.
Click these links for quick references on the impact on Kentucky:
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