This article explores the historical relationships between libraries, policy, and politics in the United States. Far too often, policy and political discussions related to libraries have little historical context. While libraries have long viewed themselves as a pillar of democracy by supporting informed, educated, and engaged citizenry, political…

For over a half a century, State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) have played a key role in the development and delivery of library services in the United States. While the organization and responsibilities of these agencies vary from state to state, they have two things in common: state-level planning for library services and…

This article details the work of Gail Staines, who is probably the only Mover & Shaker who lists the U.S.A. Equestrians Association among her professional memberships. But it is not that far a leap from what she does in her work as director of the Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC), where she is responsible for making 98…

This document reports request for a total of $271,246,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for Fiscal Year 2008. Funds are designed to assist the Institute in expanding its leadership role in creating an informed and educated citizenry, and transmitting the values of American democracy. In recent years the Institute has…

This document reports on Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) subgrant projects in Michigan for fiscal year (FY) 1998. The introductory section includes: a description of AccessMichigan, the umbrella online service that includes a collection of more than 67 commercial databases, the SPAN (Serials, Periodicals and Newspapers) service, and the…

This Massachusetts Long-Range Plan was developed to set broad strategic direction for the use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, to inform Massachusetts libraries of these directions, and to meet the statutory requirement. This plan details specific goals and objectives that support the stated mission: to provide every resident…

This plan is intended to: summarize for the Board of Regents, the State Education Department, New York State libraries, agencies and organizations with an interest in library services, and interested citizens of the State, the goals, priorities, activities, and evaluation methodology of the programs undertaken for the improvement of library…

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered under the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), mandates a five-year plan and assurances. Under guidelines developed by IMLS, the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) was charged with submitting a Five-Year State Plan by August 1, 1997. This document describes the planning…

This document outlines the five-year Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) plan for the state of Wisconsin. Following a profile of the libraries in Wisconsin, this plan describes several priorities and LSTA funded activities for each of the following goals: (1) to ensure that libraries and library systems utilize technology to improve…

This document outlines the five-year Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) plan for the state of Iowa. The background of library services in Iowa is outlined, followed by the development of the Five-Year Plan. The new federal legislation authorizing LSTA offered Iowa an opportunity to (1) re-examine the strengths of Iowa libraries and what is…