Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Education Office of Commonwealth Libraries today announced that library-affiliated organizations have been awarded over $1 million in competitive grants to develop and implement statewide services built on the premise that libraries are for everyone – and everyone belongs in libraries. These grants will create opportunities for librarians and library leaders to grow their skills, serve their communities more responsively, share library collections statewide, and deal with the rapidly changing landscape of library services.
“Libraries provide critical resources to people of all ages, organizations, and their communities, and are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of their patrons,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “These grants will enable libraries to expand current services, create new ones, and improve their engagement with community members.”
The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services awards Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to states to accomplish work outlined in their five-year plan for library services. Annually, the Office of Commonwealth Libraries administers these funds to support local and statewide efforts for and in public, school, academic, and special libraries.
The Statewide Library Services Grants were awarded to organizations with the demonstrated ability to build statewide infrastructure to support libraries and serve the people of Pennsylvania with equitable library services; empower libraries to be catalysts at the local level to understand and respond to their communities; and elevate and reinforce libraries and librarians as an essential part of the educational ecosystem.
Organizations receiving grants include:
- Pennsylvania Humanities Council - $337,615
- Pennsylvania Integrated Library System - $507,128
- Pennsylvania Library Association - $213,905
- Pennsylvania School Librarians Association - $91,694