Services for All

Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) enables Georgia Public Library Service to provide services that all our public libraries can use, taking advantage of economies of scale and multiplying impact across the state.

In FY2017, Georgia expended $5,045,552 in LSTA funding to expand learning resources and access to information for individuals of all ages.

Leveraging federal dollars on a state scale creates equity: Everyone has access to the same high-quality services, no matter where they live.

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LSTA promotes access to learning and information resources of all types of libraries for individuals of all ages. Through this federal legislation, the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) provides funds to the Georgia Public Library Service and other state library agencies using a population-based formula that may be used to support statewide initiatives and services. Funds may also be distributed through competitive subgrant competitions or cooperative agreements to public, academic, research, school and special libraries in each state.

LSTA outlines two broad priorities for this funding:

• The first is for activities using technology for information sharing between libraries and between libraries and other community services.
• The second is for programs that make library resources more accessible to urban, rural, or low-income residents, and others who have difficulty using library services.

The six broad priorities of the LSTA program include:

1. Expand services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
2. Develop library services that provide all users access to information through local, state, regional, national and international electronic networks;
3. Provide electronic and other linkages among and between all types of libraries;
4. Develop public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
5. Target library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; and
6. Target library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.