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Public Information and Communication

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 21, 1998

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sally Snyder
402-471-4003
800-307-2665

Library Commission Supports Information Technology and Library Service Improvements

Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner announced the award of $226,635 in library grants to fund library technology projects to improve public access to electronic information through Nebraska libraries. "We are dedicated to making the latest computer technology available to Nebraska libraries to open up the world of information for citizens of all ages," Wagner said. The funds, made available through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), allocated by Congress and distributed to states annually, address LSTA goals according to each state's long range plan. 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.

Public libraries in 22 Nebraska communities will receive funding to improve information technology services and/or improve information access for underserved populations through the Library Commission, Nebraska's state library agency. Additionally, two partnership projects were funded to promote collaboration among communities, helping citizens get fast, easy access to information materials. Two state agency library projects received funding to improve information access for the citizens they serve. (See attached complete list of library grant recipients and award amounts.)

Additional technology projects are planned for 1999. 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 http://nlc.nebraska.gov/.

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1998 Library Services and Technology Grants Awarded to Nebraska Libraries

Library Grant Amount
Auburn Memorial Library $20,981
Bassett, Rock County Public Library $12,262
Battle Creek Public Library $3,086
Central City Library $2,437
Chadron Public Library $4,575
Columbus Public Library $6,446
Crete Public Library $3,712
Fairmont Public Library $7,072
Gibbon Public Library $2,777
Gothenburg Public Library $19,100
Grand Island, Edith Abbott Memorial Library $15,000
Hastings Public Library $8,771
Kearney Public Library and Information Center $11,988
Lincoln City Libraries $17,436
Lyons Public Library $8,266
Norfolk Public Library $3,900
Ogallala, Goodall City Library $1,776
Omaha Public Library $20,445
Stanton Public Library $9,375
Tecumseh Public Library $13,759
Tilden Public Library $7,179
York, Kilgore Memorial Library $2,250
Southeast Library System Cooperative Project:
Nebraska City, Morton-James Public Library
Syracuse Public Library
Talmage Public Library
$3,300
Polk County Library Association:
Osceola Public Library
Polk Public Library
Shelby Public Library
Stromsburg Public Library
$4,706
NE Department of Correctional Services Libraries $12,436
Health and Human Services Libraries Consortium $3,600
Total $226,635

Nebraska Library Commission
The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120
Lincoln, NE 68508-2023

For more information please see the 1998 LSTA Grant Recipients and Project Descriptions, or the 1999 Timetable for LSTA Grants.


For more information, contact Tessa Terry.