Grants to States

The Grants to States program supports efforts across the nation to provide access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages. Supported initiatives and services address ind

The Grants to States program supports library initiatives and services to meet the needs of children, parents, teenagers, adult learners, senior citizens, the unemployed, the business community, and members of the current and future library workforce. Funds are distributed according to a population-based formula and may be used to provide access to electronic databases, computer instruction, homework centers, summer reading programs, digitization of special collections, access to e-books and adaptive technology, bookmobile service, development of outreach programs, and related efforts. Priorities are established by each State Library Administrative Agency and are detailed in state-specific Five-Year Plans (see https://www.imls.gov/grants/grants-state/five-year-plans).

The 59 established State Library Administrative Agencies may apply for Grants to States funds. A State Library Administrative Agency is the official agency of a State charged by law with the extension and development of public library services throughout the State.

State Library Administrative Agencies may distribute the funds through competitive subawards to, or cooperative agreements with, public, academic, research, school or special libraries or consortia. Through activities and projects funded, beneficiaries include the general public.

Grants may be used for: (1) expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages in order to support such individuals' needs for education, lifelong learning, workforce development, and digital literacy skills; (2) establishing or enhancing electronic and other linkages and improved coordination among and between libraries and entities, for the purpose of improving the quality of and access to library and information services; (3) (A) providing training and professional development, including continuing education, to enhance the skills of the current library workforce and leadership, and advance the delivery of library and information services and; (B) enhancing efforts to recruit future professionals to the field of library and information services; (4) developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations; (5) targeting library services to individuals of differing geographic, cultural, and economic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills; (6) targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with low incomes; (7) developing library services that provide all users access to information through local, State, regional, national, and international collaborations and networks; and (8) carrying out other activities consistent with the purposes set forth in Section 9121 of the Museum and Library Services Act, as described in the State Library Administrative Agency's plan.

At the beginning of a five-year cycle, all State Library Administrative Agencies submit a Five-Year Plan that outlines state goals aligning with the Grants to States priorities of the Library Services and Technology Act. Once IMLS approves the Five-Year Plan, states can receive annual allotments for the five-year period covered by the Plan, currently 2023-2027.

The State Plan should include a mission statement; a needs assessment; a listing of goals; descriptions of supporting projects including details of what will be done for whom, using what procedures, the benefit or outcome expected, and how IMLS funds will be used; a timeline for program activities; a crosswalk that maps each goal to specific focal areas and corresponding intents; a description of coordination efforts; an evaluation plan describing the methodology that will be used to evaluate project success; a description of procedures that will be used to involve stakeholders in developing, implementing, and evaluating the State Plan; a description of the channels that will be used to communicate about the State Plan; a description of the procedures for tracking performance; and a series of required certifications and assurances.

IMLS approves State Plans that meet the requirements as set out in the guidelines available at imls.gov and provide satisfactory assurances and certifications that the provisions of the State Plan will be carried out. Once IMLS approves a State Plan, IMLS sends a letter to the applicant stating that the State Plan has been approved. States may then distribute the funds through competitive subawards or cooperative agreements with eligible entities.

Once IMLS approves the Five-Year Plan, a State can receive annual allotments for the five-year period covered by the Plan. Awards are made annually with a two-year period of performance. At any given time, a State will have two partially overlapping active grants, but each must be tracked and reported separately.