Colorado Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants

Jean Heilig  Fiscal Officer & LSTA Coordinator  Colorado State Library  201 East Colfax Ave, Room 309  Denver, CO 80203-1799  Phone: 303-866-6731  FAX: 303-866-6940  Email: heilig_j@cde.state.co.us

This program is funded with a grant from the Institute of Museum & Library Services, which administers the Library Services & Technology Act.   What does Jean do?

FY12-13 LSTA Grant Application  (PDF) (Word) LSTA Grants are provided by the Colorado State Library to assist libraries and library-related agencies develop or enhance programs and projects that enable Coloradans to receive improved library services. The proposals are funded through the federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) allocation to the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado State Library. FY12-12 Project activities must focus on either community/outreach services or youth services in one or more of the following areas:   Projects must focus on community/outreach activities in any of the following areas: Job assistance programming: Mobile laptop labs used both in and out of the library to conduct classes and provide access to online resources for patrons in need of job search skills. Bilingual technology instruction: Establish partnerships between libraries and/or community organizations for the sharing of resources (equipment, curriculum, and/or instructors). Remote service outlets: Establishing literacy centers in underserved areas to provide programming and resources to those most in need. Forming partnerships with low income housing agencies or similar organizations to provide literacy outreach to residents.   Projects must focus on youth service activities in one or more of the following areas: Reading Buddies programming: Middle and high school students mentoring pre-school and/or elementary school students. Development of teen centers in libraries: Provide resources and programs that will encourage teens to see the value of education. Development of online learning resources: Align resources and instruction with state educational standards. Parental training and involvement in literacy activities for children (including researching the effects of the library services on children and families). Funds may be used to create an entirely new program or project (such as researching the value and benefits of library activities on youth); or be used to expand and enhance an existing previously funded LSTA grant.

Resources

• Colorado’s LSTA Five-year Plan (2008-2012)
  • PDF
  • Information Page
     
• Grant Writing Isn't for Sissies (PDF)
  Slide presentation given by Jean Heilig and Linda Hofschire at the 2012 CLiC Spring Workshops in Grand Junction and Pueblo. Applying for grants has become more competitive than ever, and developing a well-written proposal is a must! While the focus of this presentation is on Library Services and Information Technology Act (LSTA) grants, the lessons learned can cross over to all grant proposals. Learn how your project’s goals, objectives, activities, and outcomes should all interrelate. Examples of what works and what doesn’t work in developing a grant proposal are also given.
   
• LSTA Grant Budget Form
  • Excel
  • Word
     
• LSTA Awarded Grants
  • FY 2007-2008 (PDF)
  • FY 2008-2009 (PDF)
  • FY 2009-2010 (PDF)
  • FY 2010-2011 (PDF)
  • FY 2011-2012 (PDF)
     
• LSTA Funded Projects
  • Promising Practices in Community/Outreach Services
    • FY10-11 Free to Learn: Your Life, Your Community, Your Library DPL
    • FY10-11 Remote Service Outlet in the Singing Hills Area Elbert County
    • FY10-11 Job Assist and Mobile Computing Lab for Bennett Branch
    • FY09-11 San Luis Valley Libraries Technology Learning Project
    • FY08-09 Loveland kids love to read: Loveland Public Library literacy outreach. Loveland PL
  • Promising Practices in Technology (PDF)
  • Promising Practices in Youth Services
    • FY09-10 Creating an Online Road to Reading CLEL
    • FY08-09 Library and Literacy Partnership Program: Academy 20 Summit Middle School Library
    • FY07-08 Read Aloud DPL
    • FY07-08 Reading Buddies Lafayette PL
    • FY06-07 Room to Grow: Building an Environment that Encourages Teen Learning Pueblo, Rawlings Branch
       
• LSTA Grant Application Review Process (PDF)
  This is a competitive grant application and review process. Each LSTA grant application must stand on its own merit. The staff at the Colorado State Library and teams of volunteer peer reviewers will evaluate all applications and recommend projects for funding. This document outlines the numerous selection factors taken into account during the review process.
   
• LSTA Grant Implementation
  • FY 2011-2012 Webinar
  • FY 2011-2012 Handout (PDF)
     
• LSTA Grant Project Discussion Webinars
  • FY 2011-2012
     
• Allowable Cost Overview (PDF)
  All costs charged to grants awarded by the State Library under LSTA must be “allowable costs.” This document will assist you when developing your budget prior to application submission.
   
• D&B DUNS Numbers (PDF)
  Starting in 2011 IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) requires all LSTA prime grant recipients (the State Library) to report information on federal sub-grant awards (You!). This requirement comes from the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA). The Act is intended to empower every American with the ability to hold the government accountable for each spending decision. This document will tell you how to determine if your organization has a DUNS number and if not how to request one.
   
• Other funding opportunities: listing of foundations and organizations that offer grants to libraries. http://www.libraryworks.com/LW_Grants/GrantsCurrent.aspx
   
• Shaping Outcomes
  Need help developing outcomes for your LSTA grant application? This free online course, developed by Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), will help guide you through the process of Outcome Based Planning and Evaluation.

For additional information, contact Jean Heilig, 303-866-6731.