Public Information and Communication
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 21, 2000
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665
Library Commission Supports Information Technology and Library Service
Improvements
Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner announced the award of $346,573 in library grants to fund library technology projects to improve public access to electronic information through Nebraska libraries, grants for Training and Continuing Education for library staff and board members, and library children's services grants. The grants will be distributed through the Library Commission to libraries and library organizations across the state. They are supported through federal and state funds
"We are dedicated to making the latest computer technology available to Nebraska libraries to help open up the world of information for citizens of all ages," Wagner said. $287,892 dispersed through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), allocated by Congress and distributed to states annually, funds projects addressing LSTA goals according to Nebraska's long-range plan. LSTA fosters leadership, innovation, and lifetime learning through support of libraries and museums. Funds are administered in Nebraska by the Library Commission, furthering the vision and goals expressed in Libraries for the 21st Century: Nebraska Library Commission Library Services and Technology Act Five Year Plan (October 1, 1997-September 30, 2002). Grant awards to local libraries are matched with at least 25% of project funding supported by local funds. Libraries in twenty-five Nebraska communities, three consortia, and one institution will receive funding to improve information technology services and/or improve information access for underserved populations. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) manages this program on the federal level. For more information on IMLS, see www.imls.gov For descriptions of the grants see the Library Commission Website at nlc.nebraska.gov/libdev/lsta/lsta2000recipients.html
The Nebraska Library Commission also awarded Training and Continuing Education Grants to seventeen libraries in the amount of $43,681. These grants are awarded to projects designed to provide training and education for Nebraska library personnel, supporting skilled and knowledgeable information specialists to serve citizen information needs. These projects are funded through state funds allocated to help Nebraska libraries move toward achieving excellence in library service as a result of the Libraries for the 21st Century campaign. For descriptions of the grants see the Library Commission Website at nlc.nebraska.gov/libdev/continuingeducationgrants.html.
Twelve public libraries received $15,000 for special projects in the area of children's services. These grants contribute to the development, maintenance, and support of library services for children and young adults. For descriptions of the grants see the Library Commission Website at nlc.nebraska.gov/libdev/chgrants2000.html
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.
###
The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission home page. Point your World Wide Web browser to nlc.nebraska.gov search on news releases. (See attached complete lists of library grant recipients and award amounts
Nebraska Library Commission Awards Training and Continuing Education Grants
| Library | Project | Funding |
| Chadron Public Library | Fall 2000 Tri-Conference | $3,821 |
| John Rogers Memorial Library (Dodge) | Fall 2000 Tri-Conference | $300 |
| Fairfield Public Library | Basic computer and Internet training | $2,700 |
| Keene Memorial Library (Fremont) | Computer classes | $3,242 |
| Grand Island Public Library | Family Place Training Institute | $4,900 |
| Central Community College (Hastings) | Classes at University of Nebraska-Kearney | $720 |
| Republican Valley Library System (Hastings) | Customer service workshops | $5,000 |
| Holdrege Public Library System | Needs assessment and computer training
| $1,551 |
| Lexington Public Library | REFORMA Conference | $1,052 |
| Meadow Grove Public Library | Computer classes | $1,200 |
| Nebraska Correctional Libraries | Library Soft automation training | $1,720 |
| Nebraska Regional Library Systems | Trustee workshops | $5,000 |
| North Platte Public Library | Technology training | $5,000 |
| Omaha Public Library | All-Staff Development | $5,000 |
| Pierce Public Library | Follett Circulation Plus training | $700 |
| Tilden Public Library | Computer classes | $1,275 |
| Wauneta Public Library | Training to improve library services and programs | $500 |
Library Commission Awards Grants for Excellence in Children's Library Services
| Library | Project | Funding |
| Central City Public Library | Mentoring Program | $500 |
| Columbus Public Library | Summer reading for Spanish-speaking children | $1,400 |
| Hruska Public Library (David City) | Materials for rural school children | $1,000 |
| Bess Johnson Elkhorn Public Library | Outreach for Spanish-speaking families | $1,000 |
| Grand Island Public Library | Family Place training | $2,000 |
| Hastings Public Library | Enrich literacy skills for Spanish-speaking families | $1,700 |
| Lexington Public Library | Spanish-language story hour | $1,000 |
| Lyons Public Library | Outreach activities for Spanish-speaking children | $1,675 |
| Madison County Library Association (Battle Creek, Madison, Meadow Grove Newman Grove, Tilden)
| Resource packets for At-Risk Rural children | $2,000 |
| Morton-James Public Library -Nebraska City | Storytime at the
Head start Center | $625 |
| Scottsbluff Public Library | Materials for reluctant young adult readers | $600 |
| Wymore Public Library | Summer school program for Primary children | $1,500 |
Library Commission Awards LSTA Grants
| Library | Project | Funding |
| Auburn Memorial Library | Improved Access to Library Services | $9,239 |
| Blair Public Library | Internet Enhancement | $3,103 |
| Creighton Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $10,427 |
| Bess Johnson Elkhorn Public Library | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $12,093 |
| Emerson Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $1,853 |
| Fairfield Public Library | Basic Technology | $4,849 |
| Lydia Bruun Woods Memorial Library (Falls City) | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $7,946 |
| Grand Island Public Library | Improved Access to Library Services | $18,600 |
| Hastings Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $15,000 |
| Kearney Public Library and Information Center | Basic Technology | $12,550 |
| Lexington Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $6,930 |
| Meadow Grove Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $2,372 |
| Morton-James Public Library (Nebraska City) | Technology Upgrade | $23,250 |
| Goodall City Library (Ogallala) | Technology Upgrade | $2,400 |
| Osceola Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $2,433 |
| Pierce Public Library | Basic Technology | $7,462 |
| Shelby Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $1,345 |
| Shelton Township Library | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $5,437 |
| Springfield Public Library | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $11,122 |
| Stanton Public Library | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $7,415 |
| Stromsburg Public Library | Basic Technology | $4,272 |
| Tilden Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $7,263 |
| Valley Public Library | Internet Connectivity Enhancement | $10,500 |
| Verdigre Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $1,790 |
| Wauneta Public Library | Technology Upgrade | $2,369 |
| ONE Library | Partnership Planning and Implementation Columbus Public Library, Norfolk Public
Library, Northeast Community College consortium | $67,000 |
| Republican Valley Library System (RVLS) Partnership | Customized Service-RVLS, Imperial Public Library, Hastings College partnership | $4,400 |
| Health and Human Services Library Consortium | Basic Technology | $23,625 |
| Lincoln Correction Center | Customized Service | $847 |