Grants expand services to library patrons

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced the release of $3.1 million in federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, commending libraries for writing grant proposals that promote learning and improve the quality of life in their local communities.

“These federal grants help our libraries provide resources and services that improve educational, economic, and quality of life resources for all Wisconsin residents,” Burmaster said. “Libraries are our statewide knowledge network, ensuring that all the people of Wisconsin have the broadest possible access to the information resources and materials they need for lifelong learning.”

Grants that supported technology improvements represented the largest allocation of LSTA funds. Wisconsin ranks No. 1 nationally in per capita public library interlibrary loans, and the LSTA funds, in combination with state and local funds, were used to support the efforts of public library systems to develop shared integrated systems that make the sharing of materials convenient and efficient.

Close to 90 percent of Wisconsin’s citizens currently have access in their local public libraries to shared systems. In 2005, 4.8 million items were shared among libraries in the state to meet the information needs of Wisconsin residents.

Full Release

For more information about SEAchange, contact: John Johnson at (608) 266-1098.

Last updated on 3/26/2007