1. Leah Larson| LSTA Grant Coordinator
LSTA Grants
Leah Larson| LSTA Grant Coordinator
June 8, 2018

2. LSTA Grant Basics Library Services and Technology Act
Federal funding distributed through State Library Services
Total of $517,000+ in grant funding during the grant cycle (8 projects at up to $98,000)
Support large and small institutions -- $1,000 to $100,000
Eligible libraries – public, school, public consortium, public colleges and universities, non-profit special
Federal legislation and priorities, state priorities developed with these in mind
Libraries are always included – school or public, partnerships are encouraged
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

3. LSTA (large) Grants Awards of $10,000-$100,000 Competitive
Support 5-year plan goals
Reducing Barriers to Access
Promoting Equity
Advancing Digital Literacy
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

4. LSTA Mini Grants Awards of $1,000-$10,000
Good for first time grantees, smaller institutions and projects
Much higher percentage of applicants receive these
World’s Best Workforce
Kindergarten Readiness
Reading by Grade 3
Focus on birth through 3rd grade
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

5. Logistics of the application process
Timeline – RFPs now through July 13, awards issued in September
Notices come out in State Library Services newsletter & superintendents bulletin
Application documents available on The Minnesota Department of Education’s Grants Management webpage
Webinar slides available via
Question due June 25, will be published online after June 26
Independent review w/ peer reviewers – rubric follows application instructions
Awards based on highest points from review
Try to award as many as possible based on asks
Timing dependent on federal budget, close to full 12 months as possible
State Library Service staff doesn’t make funding decisions
Any past reviewers want to share anything?
We’re here to help guide you through the process, can provide technical assistance but not substantive
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

6. What makes a good project?
Funded projects are required to provide services to patrons as opposed to only providing resources.
Interest in diversity, including geographical
Sustainability – innovative pilot projects
Keep your vision in mind
Be literal; respond directly to the prompts in the application.
Value of using a logic model
Why are you doing this? To make a difference. You are passionate about this project and you know that it could be a game changer for your patrons, staff, and families in your community…
Not all projects are sustainable, sometimes they flop, ok to be honest
One method to ensure that you respond to each prompt is by starting your paragraph by answering each prompt: “Our project’s overarching goal is…” “This project addresses truant high school students and their need to engage in their community.” “We plan to implement a program planning model to ensure that all afterschool programming for youth is high quality and youth driven.”
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

7. Questions?
“This presentation was made possible in part by funding from the Minnesota Department of Education through a Library Services and Technology Act [LS ] grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.”
12/3/2018
Leading for educational excellence and equity, every day for every one. | education.state.mn.us

8. Thank you!
Leah Larson
12/3/2018