Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 19, 2024
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Christa Porter
402-471-3107
800-307-2665
$60,000 in Library Improvement Grants Awarded to Nebraska
Public Libraries
The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Library Improvement Grants
for 2024 totaling $60,000 to twenty-seven Nebraska public libraries and institutions.
These competitive grants were funded with federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
monies from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). These Library Improvement Grants
help to facilitate growth and development of library programs and services by supplementing local
funding with federal funds designated for these purposes.
In order to be funded, projects had to meet one or more of the following LSTA
Purposes listed in the Commission’s long-range plan:
- Facilitate access to resources . . . for the purpose of cultivating
an educated and informed citizenry;
- Encourage resource sharing among . . . libraries for the purpose of
achieving economical and efficient delivery of library services to the
public;
- Promote literacy, education, and lifelong learning and to enhance
and expand the services and resources provided by libraries, including
those services and resources relating to workforce development, 21st
century skills, and digital literacy skills;
- Ensure the preservation of knowledge and library collections in
all formats and to enable libraries to serve their communities during
disasters;
- Promote library services that provide users with access to
information through national, state, local, regional, and international
collaborations and networks.
Local libraries also had to provide at least a 25% match in order
to receive the funds.
The libraries receiving grants are:
- Lied Battle Creek Public Library
- Bayard Public Library
- Broken Bow Public Library
- Central City Public Library
- Clearwater Public Library
- Elgin Public Library
- Elmwood Public Library
- Fullerton Public Library
- Genoa Public Library
- Grand Island Public Library
- Hastings Memorial Library, Grant
- Lexington Public Library
- Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
- Mead Public Library
- North Bend Public Library
- Osmond Public Library
- Plainview Public Library
- Sargent Township Library
- Shelton Public Library
- Maxine White-Sutherland Public Library
- Lied Tekamah Public Library
- Raymond A Whitwer Tilden Public Library
- Valley Public Library
- Valparaiso Public Library
- Lied Lincoln Township Library, Wausa
- Maltman Memorial Public Library, Wood River
- Yutan Public Library
The projects and services planned include: computers, bookcases, tables,
chairs, CD audio books, Teen and Children’s area improvements, a Glowforge
3D laser printer, migration to a new Biblionix cataloging system, newspaper
microfilm digitization, outdoor furniture, bike racks, library cards and
barcode scanners, a WiFi capable copy machine, games, puzzles, Legos, book
trucks, Cubelets Robot Blocks, STEM makerspace equipment, and an AWE Early
Learning Literacy Workstation.
As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate
for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the
Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of
library and information services, bringing together people and information.
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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission
are always available on the Library Commission Website,
http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.