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Library Services and Technology Act

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants are federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services that are awarded by the State Library to eligible California libraries.

General Information

California libraries have access to Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds through direct grant programs or through statewide programs and projects. See Current Funding Opportunities to see what’s currently available and find out how to apply. See Library Development Programs and Projects for ongoing efforts.

Projects funded through LSTA must follow the State Library’s current LSTA five year plan and must also adhere to federal restrictions on funding. Libraries and organizations applying for grants or for participation in statewide projects must be eligible according to the State Library’s requirements (individual projects may have additional requirements). Public libraries must also participate in the Public Library Survey each year to remain eligible to receive LSTA funding.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements, PDF version

Under the Library Services and Technology Act, the State Library has discretion over the eligibility of applicants, the qualification of projects and the award of funds. The general guidelines are outlined below:

  1. The term “library” includes:
    • A public library;
    • An elementary or secondary school library;
    • An academic library;
    • A research library, which for the purposes of this subtitle means a library that makes publicly available library services and materials suitable for scholarly research and not otherwise available to the public; and is not an integral part of an institution of higher education.
  2. A library should meet the following eligibility standards:
    • A written explicit mission statement and service objectives.
    • A fixed location in California.
    • Established hours of service.
    • An organized collection of information and materials accessible for use by its primary clientele.
    • Designated, onsite, paid staff for library services. At least one staff person shall have a master’s degree in library or information science or a California library media teacher credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (Equivalent graduate education or demonstrated professional experience may be substituted for this requirement.)
    • An established funding base. (The local board of governance or the appropriate administrative authority shall agree for each academic library, public library, school library and special library, not to reduce funding for library services as a result of receiving a grant.)

The term “library consortium” means any local, statewide, regional, interstate or international cooperative association of library entities which provides for the systematic and effective coordination of the resources of school, public, academic and special libraries and information centers, for improved services for the clientele of such library entities.

LSTA Five Year Plans and Documents

Federal Restrictions on LSTA Funds, CIPA Compliance

Organizations receiving LSTA funding must use that funding according to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 CFR 200). To be eligible to receive funding to purchase devices that can connect to and browse the Internet must comply with the provisions of the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The documents below provide further guidance.

Apply for a Grant

All information needed to complete the grant application process including: the application, the risk assessment form, and the instructions are listed below. If you have any questions about applying for a specific grant, please do not hesitate to email the Interim LSTA coordinator, Natalie Cole at Natalie.Cole@library.ca.gov.

  • CopyCat Grants, 2020-2021 (Available Fall 2020)
  • Competitive Local and Collaborative Grants, 2020-2021 (Available Fall 2020)
  • Statewide and Continuing Regional Grants

Statewide Grants, 2020-2021 (invitation only)

The 2020/21 Statewide Grant Application must be submitted online at the 2020/21 Statewide grant application page. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on May 18, 2020.

Continuing Regional Projects, 2020-2021 (invitation only)

The 2020/21 Regional Grant Application must be submitted online at the 2020/21 Regional grant application page. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on May 18, 2020.

Public Library Staff Education Program (PLSEP)

Application deadline is Thursday, July 30, 2020

Manage Your LSTA Grant

Grant guides, links to reporting and financial forms, etc.

For more information on how to manage your grant, please visit the links below. Grant guides, reporting, and financial forms can be accessed by clicking the year you will be reporting on. If you have any questions about managing your grant, please do not hesitate to call your grant monitor.

Current and Prior Awards