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State of Illinois Long Range Plan for the Use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Funds 1997-2002 Introduction The Illinois State Library and the Illinois library community have a distinguished history of cooperation that frames the use of federal Library Services and Technology Act funds. In Illinois, libraries of all types belong to a single library network established more than 30 years ago. Previous federal funds have enabled libraries to develop many excellent programs and innovative services. Although federal funding that preceded the Library Service and Technology Act was limited in Illinois' multi-type environment, an active state-funded grant program assisted in bringing the level of service in all Illinois libraries to a standardized base. Illinois libraries are fortunate that state funding has helped implement services in the areas of literacy, the visually and physically disabled, and local, regional and statewide technology programs. Currently, per capita grant programs for public libraries and tax supported school libraries allow the Illinois State Library not only to support these libraries in meeting standards, but to further assist in resource sharing throughout the state by active participation of their libraries. Federal funds have provided automation for all Illinois libraries and have enabled the development of several innovative programs regarding access to information. The State Library looks forward to using Library Services and Technology Act funds to continue strengthening basic service available at all Illinois libraries while continuing to develop cutting-edge library services. The Library Services and Technology Act Long Range Plan was developed with significant input from the Illinois library community, state agencies and residents of Illinois. The plan will serve as the cornerstone for future grant opportunities, statewide projects and library development activities during the next five years. Bridget L. Lament
Director, Illinois State Library
166 LIBRARY SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGY ACT SUMMARY SHEET
167 ILLINOIS LIBRARIES Illinois has a long and successful history of multitype cooperation strengthened by the structure of the state's library consortia and the support of libraries using state funds. The Illinois State Library in Springfield serves as the guardian of the statewide library network, Illinois Library and Information Network (ILLINET). Established in 1980, ILLINET has grown to one of the largest automated library networks in the nation and benefits the residents of the state by providing access to resources in Illinois' 3,000 libraries. The Illinois State Library is a division of the Secretary of State's office, with the Secretary of State also serving as the State Librarian. Six functions of the Illinois State Library contribute to the overall network operation: a library that serves the information needs of state government with special collections of Illinois documents, patents, and maps; a regional federal document agency that serves as a foundation of information to other libraries in Illinois; the provision and monitoring of the state's Blind and Physically Handicapped program; the administration of a comprehensive statewide literacy program; the brokering of Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) services on behalf of Illinois libraries and the coordination of the Illinois network. Illinois' 12 regional library consortia receive funding from the State Library but are governed by regionally chosen boards. These agencies draw their membership from all types of libraries located within a geographic boundary. Services provided by the consortia include, but not limited to, delivery of materials, shared resource databases, consulting services and continuing educational activities. Only a few libraries do not belong to a regional consortium. Nearly 200 academic libraries in Illinois consisting of both four-year and two-year curricula belong to the network. These libraries include publicly and privately funded higher education agencies. Forty-five academic libraries share a common database for access to their collections and circulation systems. The Illinois State Library is a part of that common database. Many of the academic libraries have joined in consortial activities outside of or in addition to their regional library consortium membership. Over 700 public libraries in Illinois are supported by local property tax funds, with governance of these libraries dependent upon their form of creation. Libraries that share geographical boundaries with a municipality have either appointed or elected boards interconnected to the governance of the municipality. Other public libraries, termed district libraries, have their own independently-elected board and act as their own taxing authority. All tax-supported public libraries in Illinois belong to a regional library consortium and are eligible for state supported per capita grants offered by the Illinois State Library. Current grant support is $1.25, per capita. Special libraries vary in type based upon their funding agency and the clients they serve. These libraries, which are members of a regional library consortium, include corporate libraries, such as Caterpillar and Ameritech, hospital libraries, law libraries, governmental libraries and not-for-profit corporations. The majority of these libraries are located in the urban area of northeastern Illinois, but all regional library consortia have special library members. In Illinois, tax supported and privately supported school libraries belong to regional library consortia. Tax supported school libraries are eligible for the state-funded school library per capita grants. Current grant support is $ .75 per capita. In addition to the state funded per capita grant programs, the Illinois State Library administers state grant programs that support technology purchases, digitization of historic materials, continued support of computer networks and the statewide delivery of materials. Construction funding also is made available for public libraries through a state program. The current state grant funding for libraries is about $60 million dollars each year. The Illinois State Library has established a minimum level of responsibility for a library to join a regional library consortium. To attain this level, a library must have an organized collection, continuing fiscal support, a preset number of service hours with staff in attendance and a willingness to share resources with other libraries. Basic membership criteria undergo yearly review, and regional library consortia are permitted to impose additional criteria for additional services. STATE NEEDS Illinois is a diverse state in both its geographic make-up and in its citizenry. Geographically, the state boasts one of the largest urban areas in the country and, in contrast, has the most isolated areas of wilderness in the Midwest. With more than 55,000 square miles of rich farmland, Illinois is a leader in agriculture. The state also is a leader in commerce and business, with transportation links that include an international seaport, navigable rivers, excellent highways and railroad interchanges. Libraries continually strive to serve the diverse cultures of Illinois' citizenry. Many Illinois libraries have developed outreach programs that provide information to their patrons in a variety of languages and formats. However, information collected by the Illinois 168 State Library and its regional library consortia indicates that the task of providing both basic and developmental services is not complete. The Illinois State Library partners with the 12 regional library consortia to assist the 3,000 libraries of Illinois. All regional library consortia are composed of multitype library members. The governing boards and the membership reflect the type of libraries located within its geographical boundaries. These library consortia provide databases for the material holdings of their members; a regional delivery service that connects the statewide delivery service; and a mechanism for providing information among all libraries. The regional consortia also offer training and collect data regarding training delivered to library staff and patrons. Additionally, they regularly report on current needs and issues of their membership to the Illinois State Library. The State Library uses a variety of methods to gather information about statewide library issues and needs. Information is collected through surveys developed each year by the Illinois State Library. The state has assembled a number of special task forces to study library needs of citizens, and the state funded per capita grants for public libraries and tax supported school libraries also provide information. In developing this plan, more than 30 meetings and focus groups were held to assess how the library community and citizens evaluated current library service and to express their needs for the next five years. Additional information was gathered from responses received via the State Library Web site. Illinois libraries are in transition from being a place to locate a needed item, to serving as facilitators of access to information regardless of location. With this concept and the information gathered from statewide sources, the State Library has identified several needs for the next five years. • Accessible information is critical to individuals; the value of information and its potential to empower enable life-long learning. Libraries create equal information opportunities and enable every citizen to realize their right to information. Libraries need trained staff, adequate funding, information resources and current technology to access those sources. Use of state and federal funds can equalize the playing field in accessibility. GOALS AND PRIORITIES GOAL #1. To ensure access to information by the citizens of Illinois by enabling all Illinois libraries to share resources in regional and statewide databases. LSTA PRIORITIES • Establishing and enhancing electronic linkages among libraries BACKGROUND Currently, about 55 percent of the libraries in Illinois have their holdings in a regional or statewide database. Each of the 12 regional consortia has a shared database of members' holdings. Additionally, a statewide database with holdings of 45 universities and the Illinois State Library is fully accessible online. This database also represents the holdings of all libraries that use the OCLC system for cataloging purposes. Each area of the state is at a different stage of development in terms of having the holdings of member libraries entered into the database. The cost of telecommunications in rural areas of the state has precluded 169 some member libraries from joining the regional library consortium database as an on-line catalogue and circulation system. Appropriate attention must be given to the special needs of each library in selecting the method of participation in regional or statewide databases. Review must be given to the technological needs of libraries throughout the state. Over the next five years, the Illinois State Library will work with regional library consortia and statewide consortia to assist member libraries in becoming a part of the bibliographic databases. Activities will include, but not limited to, retrospective conversion of records, funding needed for telecommunications hardware or other costs, and providing appropriate technology to complete active membership of the consortium database. PRIORITY Add additional members to the regional and statewide bibliographic databases. LSTA ACTIVITIES 1.1 Continue to encourage libraries to place their holdings in machine-readable format GOAL #2. To ensure that Illinois libraries have access to all sources and formats of information LSTA PRIORITIES • Linking libraries electronically with educational, social or information services BACKGROUND The geographical and diverse makeup of the State of Illinois makes equal access to information difficult throughout the state. Many libraries have taken the lead in their community to provide on-line information resources. However, the disparity in telecommunication costs forces the continued use of printed formats in many libraries, Using state funds, Illinois has provided access to both full text and bibliographical databases. Though this activity is currently state supported, increased use by libraries and patrons dictates expansion, will cause continued evaluation of the support and may necessitate expending federal funds. Many libraries continue to need some support in purchasing materials, regardless of format, that can be located within the physical library property. This support is critical if the least financially supported libraries want to remain current in the provision of information for their citizens. Additionally, many Illinois libraries have established collaborative collections projects for their mutual benefit and for the benefit of all Illinois citizens. The special needs of individuals who have difficulty using a library will require development of special solutions to provide needed access to information. PRIORITY Provide leadership, planning and coordination enabling libraries to utilize technology and other sources to improve services and access to information. LSTA ACTIVITIES 2.1 Continue to develop and make available information sources, regardless of formats or method of access GOAL #3. To enrich the quality of life for the citizens of Illinois by advocating the pleasures of reading, the ability to read, and the importance of reading LSTA PRIORITIES • Linking libraries electronically with educational, social or information services BACKGROUND The ability to read is basic for all persons in an ever increasing information age. Libraries have a history of serving as, not only sources of information, but advocates of the value of reading as well. In addition to increased use of technology to access information, libraries need to support the value and usefulness of skilled reading. PRIORITY To assure that all citizens of Illinois have access to training to take advantage of the information resources available in their library. LSTA ACTIVITIES 3.1 Continue to support primarily with state funds the literacy efforts already established in Illinois GOAL #4. To develop training methods and activities that will allow library personnel and Illinois citizens to become technologically literate and have full access to information available through libraries LSTA PRIORITIES • Establishing or enhancing electronic linkages among libraries BACKGROUND Libraries potentially fail to assist patrons if the library staff is not trained to use resources available either within that physical setting or via technology at another location. Illinois has a history of providing continuing education for both current library staff and potential future staff. Methods of delivering education are changing with the increased use of technology, but the need remains for both formal and informal face-to-face training. In Illinois, the regional library consortia provide training as a major component of their required activities. Additionally, the State Library has taken the lead in using such methods as videoconferencing and specialized institutes. PRIORITY To continue to offer educational opportunities for current and future library staff and trustees in Illinois. LSTA ACTIVITIES 4.1 Support distance learning opportunities using both current and future technological methods GOAL #5. To continue expanding the role of networks, consortia, and partnerships in library development LSTA PRIORITIES • Establishing or enhancing electronic linkages among libraries 171 • Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to under-served urban and rural communities, including children from families with incomes below the poverty line BACKGROUND Without the active participation of Illinois libraries in networks and partnerships, many accomplishments in the past would not have occurred. Working with other types of libraries and organizations is beneficial for all Illinois libraries. Illinois libraries need to continue to support and expand established networks and to develop new opportunities for cooperation. Additionally, forming partnerships with agencies not typically a part of library activities will allow Illinois libraries to gain different perspectives as to the needs of the citizens. PRIORITY To ensure that Illinois libraries continue to develop, expand and support networks and partnerships that will benefit the citizens of Illinois. LSTA ACTIVITIES 5.1 Develop new technology-based networks to advance Illinois libraries AGENCIES ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT FUNDS The Illinois State Library recognizes two types of agencies as eligible to apply for Library Services and Technology Act funds. LIBRARY To be eligible for grants under this plan, an agency must be a library member of one of the 12 regional library systems and must agree to honor the current interli-brary loan code and all current resource sharing agreements. Additionally, the library must share its collection without charge with other libraries in Illinois based on those agreements. Any library that applies for a grant must show continued level or improved fiscal support for its agency for the previous three fiscal years. LIBRARY CONSORTIUM The Illinois State Library recognizes a library consortium as an organization whose members are libraries according to the definition contained in this document. This includes the 12 regional library systems funded by the Illinois State Library. Other consortia such as library associations are eligible if their headquarters are within the State of Illinois and meet the criteria in this document. PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES The Illinois State Library will use procedures similar to those used for the Library Service and Construction Act (LSCA) program. Information on the availability of LSTA funds will be widely distributed through regional and state publications, the Illinois State Library Web site and direct mailings to libraries. Information will include details specific to each grant offering. Application forms and other information will be part of a document produced and distributed to the Illinois library community in fall 1997. The LSTA information booklet will include the following: purpose of the LSTA program, The State Library Long-Range Plan, grant program eligibility, budget categories, grant offering schedule, consultation availability, grant process and procedures, grant categories, criteria for evaluating grant applicants, grant forms and required evaluation of grant projects. Booklets will be available to all Illinois libraries, and information will be published in Illinois Libraries. A report on information gathered during state and regional meetings held to develop this plan and a summary review of grant activities over the past five years will be prepared by the Illinois State Library. LSTA funds will be distributed through a combination of competitive and noncompetitive grants. Funds awarded on a competitive basis will undergo a review process. Reviewers will receive training from appropriate Illinois State Library staff and will be drawn from staff and appropriate representatives of the library community. Reviewers will rank and rate grant applications according to established criteria. Funding recommendations and other information will be forwarded to the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the State Librarian for final consideration and action. A process for applicants to appeal decisions is in place. The appeal process will be outlined in the information distributed to the Illinois library community by the Illinois State Library. The amount, timing and availability of funds for competitive grants will be determined by the Illinois State Library in consultation with the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee and the Illinois library community. Funds awarded on a noncompetitive basis will be reviewed by the staff of the Illinois State Library with the advice of the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee. The State Librarian will make final decisions on all grant awards. 172 Most LSTA funds will be awarded on a one-year basis. However, consideration will be given to awarding multi-year grants. Multi-year grant projects will be renewed each year to coincide with federal funds made available on an annual basis. EVALUATION METHODOLOGY All LSTA applicants are required to address the issue of project evaluation under LSTA. The application must describe how the project will be evaluated; who will evaluate the project; tools of measurement used to determine the extent that the project meets its objectives; and by what methods the evaluation data will be gathered and analyzed. The Illinois State Library will provide a series of quantitative measurements that all final evaluation reports must address. Applicants will be required to submit quarterly reports that indicate the progress of the grant and any variation in the grant timeline or program. In the final reports, the grant recipients are required to provide information on how project objectives were met; plans for follow-up or continuation of the project; problems encountered during the project; and suggestions for others wanting to replicate the project. Project directors are asked to submit statistics, correspondence, reports and other materials relevant to the project evaluation. The Illinois State Library is committed to both the evaluation of individual projects and to the evaluation of the Library Service and Technology Act program. Individual project evaluations will be taken into consideration when evaluating the success in meeting the goals and priorities stated in this document. Using outside expertise, the Illinois State Library will select various activities, such as broad program areas and distinctive categories for special review and evaluation over the next five years. PLAN FOR EXPENDITURE The four percent allowed for state library agency administrative costs will be used for the following: • Staff salaries and benefits related directly to the LSTA program THE ILLINOIS LIBRARY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The Illinois State Library Advisory Committee will continue to be the key advisory group regarding implementation of the LSTA plan. The Advisory Committee, its special committees and task forces include both Illinois citizens and members of the library community. Special committees and task forces are organized by purpose and are composed of appropriate individuals from the library community. The Advisory Committee's membership is established by Illinois law and includes not only representatives from all types of libraries, but also other individuals who represent groups of library users. For example, representatives from the disabled community and the library education community serve on the Advisory Committee. Statewide geographical representation and staggered terms provide balance to the committee. The Advisory Committee meets four times a year, and its special committees meet periodically to identify potential grant offering categories and to review applications. The primary responsibilities of the Advisory Committee are to advise the Illinois State Library and the State Librarian on the development of the long-range plan; advise on policy matters arising from the administration of the program; establish annual grant criteria and address current issues within the Illinois library community. This Plan was developed using input from the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee, the Illinois library community, citizens, other state agencies, and special focus groups via a series of state and regional meetings. The Illinois State Library also uses ongoing workshops, institutes, meetings and interactive distance presentations to gather information about the needs of the library community and impart information regarding the grant process. ASSURANCES FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY The director and staff of the Illinois State Library guarantee that all assurances will be followed regarding any and all Library Services and Technology Act funds. No Library Services and Technology Act funds will be used to replace normal operating funds of the state library agency. 173 |
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