Federal Grants: The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) of 1996 promotes access to learning and information resources of all types of libraries for individuals of all ages. Through the legislation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides funds to all State Library Agencies, including the Tennessee State Library and Archives, using a population-based formula. Tennessee uses its appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services and to distribute the funds through competitive subgrant competitions with public libraries in our state. A significant portion of LSTA funding supports the Tennessee Electronic Library which provides electronic resources containing general reference, literary, medical, and business information to libraries of all types throughout the state.

LSTA outlines two broad priorities for its 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. Tennessee’s Five Year Plan for the distribution of LSTA funding from FY2003-FY2007 is available by clicking below.

• Five Year Plan (.pdf)

Two types of competitive LSTA grants are offered annually to the public libraries of Tennessee:

1. Competitive Technology Grants are available to eligible public libraries are available to eligible public libraries that can provide a 50/50 local match for purchase of computer hardware, software, fax machines, and other library technology. The application process for the 2008 LSTA Technology Grant will begin in the fall of 2007. These grants are available to Tennessee Public Libraries and are supported by federal funds made available by the Library Services and Technology Act. These are matching grants which require libraries to expend an equal amount of local funds. Applications must be submitted to the Tennessee State Library and Archives by November 26, 2007 to be considered for funding.

• 2008 Tech Grant Application (Word or .pdf)
• 2008 Hardware Specifications (Word or .pdf)

2. Competitive Direct Service Grants for the Disadvantaged are available to eligible public libraries that apply for Adult Education and Workforce Development Support Services, Family Literacy Support Services, Services for the Elderly, or Services for the Disabled. Grant packages including application forms are mailed to all eligible Tennessee libraries each year to announce the grant cycle.

• 2007 - 2008 Declaration of Intent Form (.pdf)
• Grant Purpose and Criteria (.pdf)
• Administration Requirements (.pdf)
• Direct Service Grant Application (.pdf)
• 2007 - 2008 Review Criteria (.pdf)
• Outcome Based Grant Writing Workshop (.pdf)

2007-2008 Direct Service Grant Forms

• 2007 1st Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• 2007 2nd Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• 2007 3rd Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• 2007 - 2008 Final Narrative Report (.pdf)
• 2008 Final Financial Report (.pdf)
• 2007 - 2008 Grant Change Request Form (.pdf)
• 2007 Interim Financial Report (.pdf)

2006-2007 Direct Service Grant Forms

• First Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• Second Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• Third Interim Narrative Report (.pdf)
• Final Narrative Report (.pdf)
• Interim Financial Report (.pdf)
• Final Financial Report (.pdf)
• Grant Change Request Form (.pdf)

A spreadsheet showing recent county by county distribution of federal Library Services and Technology Act dollars in the public libraries of Tennessee is available by clicking below.

• LSTA Fund Distribution to Local Libraries (.pdf)

State Grants: The Tennessee State Library and Archives helps to support local public libraries with an annual budget of approximately $6 million. In FY2004-05, the four metropolitan libraries in our state ( Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Knoxville) received direct aid in the amount of $546,000. Most of the remainder of the budget supports the states’ Regional Library System which provides direct services and materials to the small and medium-sized public libraries belonging to the regional system. In addition, the State has matching library construction grants available for public library building projects.