LSTA - Library Services & Technology Act

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Information Sheet

LSTA Reauthorization News

The LSTA reauthorization has been passed. On Septemeber 25, 2003 President Bush signed H.R. 13, the Museum and Library Services Act (MLSA) into law. The legislation sets the authorization level for library programs at $232 million. If funding is achieved at that level, the new formula distribution would double the base funding to each state. This legislation reauthorizes the MLSA until 2009.
Now that LSTA has been reauthorized, action is needed to urge legislators to fund LSTA at the authorized levels. ALA has provided an Illinois-specific sample letter to customize with local information on how LSTA funds benefit local library services.
Write to members of the U.S. House and Senate to thank them for passing the reauthorization legislation and to point out to them the need for funding the law at the authorized level of $232 million for library programs.
The House and Senate will be considering FY2004 appropriations bills during the month of October 2003. The appropriations bills for FY2004 for Labor, Health and Human Services and Education contain the funding for library programs under the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The bill numbers are H.R.2660 for the House and S.1356 for the Senate.
LSTA (The Library Serivices and Technology Act) is the only federal funding specifically for libraries. LSTA is part of the Museum and Libraries Services Act of 1996 administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Illinois LSTA grant funds are administered by the Illinois State Library and serve as a catalyst to assist libraries of all types to conduct innovative projects and develop interlibrary and interagency partnerships.

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