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Alliance Memory Named an Exemplary Project by State Library
The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that the Rodman Public Library Innovative Technology/Digitization project has been selected as an Exemplary Program for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) 2004 Program Report to the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The Rodman Public Library was awarded an LSTA minigrant in the amount of $7,902 in March 2004 to establish the Alliance Memory website. The project ran from April 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004.
This project allowed the Rodman Public Library to establish the Alliance Memory website. The State Library encourages partnership projects when using LSTA funds and Rodman Public Library partnered with a variety of historical, educational, and service organizations to ensure the project's success. The site has generated a lot of enthusiasm and interest from the community, in large part because Alliance is a city rich in historical information. Because of the project a new interest in oral history in the Alliance area has arisen. Overall, Alliance Memory has focused attention on the library as a place to learn about the past and to store information for future generations. This project has prompted a renewed interest among Ohio public libraries to preserve their historical past.
Other exemplary projects selected for 2004 were Hamilton-Clermont Cooperative Association (HCCA) for automation, Hayes Presidential Center for the Ohio Online Obituary Index, Westerville Public Library for the Spanish Language Story Time project, and Clermont County Public Library for the Spanish Language Services project.
During Federal fiscal year 2004 (October 2003 through September 2004) the State Library of Ohio awarded 60 Library Services and Technology Act grants. A total of 95 libraries submitted 115 applications. Sixty grants were awarded to 51 institutions.
The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) was enacted on September 30, 1996 and enables public, school, academic, and special libraries to apply for federal library funds. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the agency which oversees the Library Services and Technology Act, provides LSTA funds each year to the State Library of Ohio. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership, and a lifetime of learning through the support of museum and library programs.
Under federal legislation, LSTA has two major focuses: Technology, including electronic linkages of resources and automation; and Services to the Underserved. Based on this, the State Library offers grants in the following areas: Automation of Nonautomated Libraries; Resource Sharing; Innovative Technology; Staff Development and Training; Services to Targeted Populations and Services to Youth in Poverty.
As part of the Program Report to IMLS, the State Library of Ohio must identify three to five exemplary projects. State Library staff selects these projects based on their relation to LSTA goals, impact of the project on the target population, and the ability to be replicated in other parts of the state.
For more information about the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), please contact Missy Lodge, LSTA Coordinator, State Library of Ohio, 1-800-686-1532.