The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS). An HTML version of this release can
be read on the agency's Web site at
http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/070109.shtm.
The report can be viewed at
http://www.imls.gov/pdf/CatalystForChange.pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2009
Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Jeannine Mjoseth, [log in to unmask]
Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask]
IMLS Report: Libraries are a Vital Community Resource in the Information
Age
Washington, DC-The character of library services has changed
dramatically with the advent of new information technologies, the
continuous development of locally-tailored services, and the
expectations of the 21st century library user, according to the first
analysis of the Grants to States program by the Institute of Museum and
Library Service (IMLS). The report, "Catalyst for Change: LSTA Grants to
State Program and the Transformation of Libraries Services to the
Public," focuses on services provided through the Library Services and
Technology Act (LSTA) grants to State Library Agencies, the single
largest source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and the
only library grants that require state-wide planning. IMLS conducted the
study to inform the American public, the Administration, Congress and
the library community about the program's contributions.
To address the growing demand for online services, libraries have added
computer workstations, increased available bandwidth, and provided
training in communities where they are often the sole provider of free
access to the Internet. Some State Libraries Agencies are incorporating
technology investments into their statewide strategic plans while other
states manage such investments on a local or regional basis, according
to the new report.
"The program's flexibility is its greatest strength because it allows
each state to tailor program services to the specific needs of its
citizens. The unique nature of each state's approach can present real
challenges for evaluation because no two state programs are alike. It is
like comparing apples, oranges, kiwis, and kumquats. But a common thread
that connects these programs is a dedication to providing
state-of-the-art programming and information services that meet a clear
and compelling local need," said Carlos Manjarrez, IMLS Associate Deputy
Director for Research and Statistics.
To underscore this state-by-state variability, the report provides a
two-page snapshot of immediate challenges, program goals for 2008-2012,
and an exemplary project for each of the 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The report draws on the December 2008 analysis of 9,000 state program
reports from the Grants to States Program between FY 2003 and FY 2006 by
Ethel Himmel and Bill Wilson, a library consulting firm, and the annual
State Library Agency Surveys collected by the National Center for
Education Statistics and IMLS between 1998 and 2007.
Based on the data, IMLS identified three broad strategies advanced by
Grants to States programming: human capital development, library service
expansion and access, and development of information and technology
infrastructure. The report also provides:
* a description of the Grants to States program also known as the
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA);
* a discussion of the local factors that affect state program plans;
* a review of program activities submitted in state program annual
reports; and an
* an analysis of program expenditures.
"Libraries build community in many ways," noted Laurie Brooks, Associate
Deputy Director for Library Services. "Whether through preparing
children for school, helping small businesses thrive, providing
technology training for seniors, or imparting a new language, libraries
are essential community resources in the information age. The Library
Grants to States program provides an important opportunity to plan and
support these vital community-building initiatives."
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of
federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.
The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that
connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the
national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to
sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and
innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about
the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.
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