Library Services and Technology Act Competitive Grant Program

The Library Services and Technology Act Competitive Grant Program is administered by the New York State Education Department through the New York State Library, which receives federal funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Grants to States Program. This federal program is authorized under U.S. law and supports state library administrative agencies in distributing funds to eligible subrecipients. The State Library operates this competitive grant program in alignment with its Five Year Plan, which outlines statewide priorities for library development, access, and community engagement. The purpose of this grant program is to strengthen the capacity of public libraries and library systems across New York State to deliver meaningful services and resources to their communities. The program specifically prioritizes projects that enhance outreach and community engagement, promote best practices in literacy, and improve social wellbeing. Applicants are expected to design projects that clearly demonstrate how proposed activities will expand access to information and services, particularly for underserved populations, and contribute to improving quality of life for New Yorkers. Funding under this program is provided through federal sources and is distributed as subawards managed by the State Library. These subawards carry the same federal compliance requirements as the original awards, meaning recipients must adhere to all applicable regulations and reporting standards. Allowable uses of funds include the purchase of supplies, materials, and certain types of technology, as well as the hiring of consultants. However, restrictions apply: construction and installation costs are not eligible, and equipment purchases exceeding a specified threshold are disallowed. All expenditures must be part of a broader project aligned with the program’s stated goals. Eligibility is limited to specific types of library entities within New York State. Applicants must be library systems or public and association libraries chartered by the Regents. This includes public library systems, reference and research library resource systems, and school library systems. Other entities such as academic libraries, economic development agencies, and libraries within local education agencies are not eligible to apply. Nonprofit applicants must also meet prequalification requirements within the Statewide Financial System, and all applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier prior to submission. The application process is conducted through an online grant application system managed by the State Library. While submission of a Notice of Intent is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged for nonprofit applicants to facilitate review and prequalification processes. Applicants must ensure that all required registrations and identifiers are completed by the application deadline. The process requires submission of a complete proposal detailing the project scope, budget, and alignment with program objectives. Key dates for the grant include a recommended Notice of Intent deadline in April and a final application submission deadline in mid May. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on the specified due date. Award decisions are expected to be announced in early July, with the project period beginning in October and running through the end of June of the following year. This defined timeline establishes a structured window for implementation and reporting. Evaluation of applications is based on how well proposed projects align with program priorities and demonstrate the ability to improve library services and community outcomes. Applicants must clearly articulate how their project supports outreach, literacy, and social wellbeing goals. Strong proposals will provide detailed plans, justified budgets, and measurable outcomes. The program represents a new initiative, and as such, there are no prior award examples available for reference, emphasizing the importance of clear alignment with stated objectives.

Clearly demonstrate alignment with outreach literacy and community wellbeing; ensure all purchases support program goals; avoid including ineligible costs such as installation or construction