Insight

              Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White
recently awarded 249 Library Services and
Technology Act (LSTA) grants totaling nearly $4
million. The grants will help libraries enhance their
collections, foster stronger community relationships,
develop digital imaging projects and implement
innovative new library programs and initiatives.
“Our libraries have been very creative in proposing
new initiatives to address specific issues in their
local communities, particularly in the area of
expanding or enhancing services to underserved
populations,” said Secretary White. “As State
Librarian, I am proud to be able to provide these
important funds to our librarians so that they may
continue to enrich the lives of Illinois citizens.”
The grants were awarded in four categories:
  Libraries Leading the Way Through
Partnerships — Nationwide, Illinois libraries are
recognized for establishing creative and
innovative partnerships to provide diverse
programming, quality services and training.
These grants offer several options for Illinois
libraries to excel in these endeavors and to
expand them through partnerships.
  Digital Imaging — These grants allow libraries
to create Internet-ready electronic versions of
their materials and collections, specifically
Illinois-related historical and cultural materials.
Applicants were encouraged to develop grants
that would help Illinois citizens recognize the
value of digitized Native American materials.
  Weed & Feed — Libraries are enhancing their
circulating non-fiction collections in the areas of
general knowledge, philosophy and psychology,
natural sciences and mathematics, and
technology and medicine to provide accurate,
up-to-date library materials for Illinois citizens.
  Creative Use of Libraries — These projects are
designed to address user or community needs
with new library services. Applicants will
implement creative and imaginative approaches,
methods, and/or library services that are new to
the community and necessary to meeting the
needs of the target audience.
The Illinois State Library administers LSTA grants with
funds distributed by the federal Institute of Museum
and Library Services. Public, school, academic and
special libraries as well as regional library systems
are eligible for the grants.
November/December
in
this
issue
Secretary White
awards LSTA
Grants
ILA Conference
Synergy 2006
ILLINET Online
renamed
“Thinking Outside
the Borders”
Illinois Libraries
online
College of
DuPage Library
teleconferences
Alexander
Hamilton exhibit
2005
Secretary White awards $4 million in LSTA Grants
National Book Festival — State Library
employees Bonnie Matheis (left) and Greg
McCormick (right), representing the Illinois
Center for the
Book, supported
Mitchell Deck of
Peoria at the
National Book
Festival in
Washington,
D.C., this fall.
Mitchell was one
of six national
winners of the
Letters About
Literature contest
and read his
winning letter at
the event.
Government Documents Conference — More than 50 Illinois government
documents librarians came to Springfield in October for a special conference
on pending changes to the way federal documents are distributed by the
Government Printing Office. Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse
White (right) addressed participants, as did State Library Director Anne Craig
(center). Special guest speaker was T.C. Evans (left), assistant chief of staff for
Strategic Initiatives at the Government Printing Office.