Connecticut State Library Receives Notice of Reinstatement of Federal IMLS Grants

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut State Library has been notified by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that its FY2024 federal grant in the amount of $2.16 million awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States program has been reinstated, reversing its April 1 decision to terminate Connecticut’s grant mid-year. IMLS also told the State Library it plans to issue a FY2025 LSTA award to Connecticut. IMLS provided no specific reason for either the initial termination or the reinstatement.

“Today, we are relieved that Connecticut residents can continue to rely on our vital library services a little longer,” said Deborah Schander, State Librarian. “However, we remain cautious, as the President’s proposed budget for FY2026 includes the full elimination of IMLS. Federal funding for libraries has never been more at risk, and Connecticut must find a path forward if we want to ensure these vital institutions endure.”

Library Services and Technology Act in Connecticut

The Connecticut State Library’s Division of Library Development (DLD) uses LSTA funds to support many of its programs, including: early literacy and summer reading, support for veterans and military families, professional development for librarians and library staff, professional consultants, workforce development, interlibrary loan and resource sharing, digital connectivity and digital navigation, a statewide digital library, a statewide eBook and eAudio lending platform, the Connecticut Library for Accessible Books, and the Middletown Library Service Center and its collections and equipment. LSTA supports 13 DLD staff members responsible for these initiatives.

In approximately 5,565 square miles, Connecticut has more than 950 public, school, academic, special, and government libraries, all of which are eligible to benefit in some way from the services provided through Connecticut’s IMLS LSTA funding.

More information about these and other services is available on DLD’s Federal Library Funding in CTwebpage.

The Connecticut State Library will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.

Connecticut State Library Receives Notice of Termination of Federal IMLS Grant

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut State Library has been notified by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) that its 2024-2025 federal grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant to States program has been terminated, effective April 1, 2025. The statutory grant was scheduled to cover the current federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2025.

“We are deeply dismayed by this decision, which has immediate negative impact on every Connecticut resident and the library services they count on,” said State Librarian Deborah Schander. “The Connecticut State Library remains committed to advancing the mission of libraries across the state and throughout our communities. In the meantime, we are exploring all options to ensure these vital services continue.”

Under this grant, the State Library was awarded $2,164,184 to support the statewide library services, programs, and infrastructure that enable information and education access to the people of Connecticut. More than 56 percent of that funding has yet to be sent to Connecticut.

Library Services and Technology Act in Connecticut

The Connecticut State Library’s Division of Library Development (DLD) uses LSTA funds to support many of its programs, including: early literacy and summer reading, support for veterans and military families, professional development for librarians and library staff, professional consultants, workforce development, interlibrary loan and resource sharing, digital connectivity and digital navigation, a statewide digital library, a statewide eBook and eAudio lending platform, the Connecticut Library for Accessible Books, and the Middletown Library Service Center and its collections and equipment. LSTA also supports 13 DLD staff members.

A snapshot of recent LSTA-supported projects in Connecticut:

• Libraries ran 8,827 summer reading programs and activities last summer, with 229,470 children, teens, and families participating. Thirteen public libraries received Summer Enrichment Grantstotaling $21,210.98, and LSTA subawards totaling $57,000 were given to 18 libraries to improve summer reading and family engagement.

• LSTA funds provided $133,530 for 106 professional development webinars attended by 1,300librarians.

• The E-Rate Program provides funds for schools and libraries to improve their broadband access, saving 76 CT libraries $497,221 in FY24.

• The CT Library for Accessible Books circulated 164,232 audio and braille books to 5,000+ active patrons including 316 veterans. Staff conducted 27 outreach sessions, reaching over 650 individuals.

• Statewide Delivery drivers delivered 1.5 million library items to 215 public and academic libraries in FY24.

• The statewide library catalog allows patrons and libraries to discover items from libraries across Connecticut with a single search. CT was the first state to use the open-source system, FulfILLment, which this year enabled 25,537,522 items to be discoverable to the public across the collections of 334 libraries.

• The statewide eBook Platform provides a collection of 50,000 books to residents, with a circulation last year of 43,395 checkouts across the state.

• The Middletown Library Service Center serves as a library for 270 public and school libraries, promoting resource sharing and supporting collections for children and young adults. In FY24, libraries borrowed 21,327 total items, including 6,802 discussion sets and 401 kits (STEM, storytime, and instruments). 

• The Service to Veterans & Military Families program provides libraries with resources to support the veterans and military members in their community with robust materials covering benefits, education, employment, finance, health, history, housing, legal, support, cultural competencies, print and digital books, and more.

More information about these and other services is available on DLD’s Federal Library Funding in CT webpage.

Since 1996, LSTA has played an essential role in ensuring Connecticut’s libraries have the services, resources, and support necessary to remain community and cultural anchors. 

In approximately 5,565 square miles, Connecticut contains 191 public libraries. Also counting school, academic, special, and government libraries, Connecticut has more than 950 libraries, all of which are eligible to benefit in some way from the services provided through Connecticut’s LSTA funding.

The Connecticut State Library will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.