LSTA: Mini Grants (NV)

LSTA: Mini Grants (NV)

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records
Amount: Up to US $15,000
Last Updated: June 13, 2025

Summary

The LSTA Mini Grants in Nevada provide funding up to $10,000 for libraries to support innovative and sustainable projects. Applicants must consult with the LSTA Coordinator and attend a mandatory webinar. The program emphasizes capacity building, partnerships, and community engagement. Projects should align with the goals of Nevada’s LSTA 5-year plan and cannot replace local funding or cover ongoing operational costs. This initiative aims to enhance library services and resources throughout the state.

Overview

NOTE: All applicants are required to consult with the LSTA Coordinator to confirm project eligibility prior to committing to a project idea and writing the application. Application webinar viewing is also mandatory for the person completing the application.LSTA subgrants are subject to and contingent upon sufficient funds being appropriated, budgeted, and otherwise made available by federal sources.Applicants may submit an optional application first draft to the LSTA Coordinator for review and recommendations, and are encouraged to take advantage of this service in order to present a stronger, sharper, more well-defined project to the application review panel. Background The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) (20 U.S.C. § 9121) Grants to States (20 U.S.C. § 9141) program is the only federal program exclusively for libraries. Using a population based formula, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) distributes LSTA funds to State Library Administrative Agencies to support LSTA’s Purposes and Priorities.  In Nevada, the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) uses LSTA funds to advance Nevada’s LSTA 5 year Plan Goals. Nevada LSTA Goals Planning and Assessment: Strengthen Nevada libraries’ ability to identify and respond to community needs through planning and assessment. Capacity, Training, and Sustainability: Build capacity of libraries to ensure robust and sustainable operations. Partnerships and Sharing:     Encourage Nevada libraries to develop and use partnerships and collaboration with other libraries to maximize user access to resources and services throughout the state. Services and Resources: Nevada libraries will provide mission-focused and accessible resources and environments. Mini-Grants Applicants may request up to $10,000 per funding cycle. A 10% match is required. Funding Priorities Capacity and SustainabilityOutreach and PartnershipsPrograms and Services What projects will be considered? New projects: LSTA funds are intended to be used as seed money for new (to you) sustainable projects, not for ongoing operational costs; Libraries are encouraged to envision projects that will support new/improved programs or services that will solve a specific problem or meet an identified need of the library’s current or potential users.Innovative projects: Innovation is encouragedLSTA Plan alignment: Projects must align with and advance at least one of the goals from Nevada’s LSTA 5-year plan, which has been approved by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services and directly relates to the purposes and priorities of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) (20 U.S.C. § 9121).

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible to receive LSTA funds, all applicant libraries, library consortia, and library organizations must certify to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records (NSLAPR) that they meet the following applicable eligibility criteria:Public, School, Academic, and Special/Research LibrariesIs supported by public revenues (51% or more) or is a non-profit institution or agency.Makes the collection accessible to its primary clientele organized according to a professionally accepted classification system.Participates in resource sharing through the Information Nevada program.Serves its primary clientele free of charge.Has a fixed location with regular, published hours of operation.Has one or more designated and trained library staff.Has an annual budget with funds reserved for library materials and services.Has a current, written long range or strategic plan addressing library services that is available for review.Submits all reports required by NSLAPR in a complete, accurate and timely manner.The applicant or participating library must also meet the following requirements:Public Libraries: Must meet the Minimum Standards for Public Libraries.School Libraries: The school district employs at least one certified library media specialist.Academic Libraries: Be accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.Tribal LibrariesBe recognized and supported by a tribal government in Nevada.Be able to document an existing library that meets, at a minimum, three basic criteria: regularly scheduled hours, staff, and materials available for library users.Library ConsortiaBe a Nevada local, regional, or statewide cooperative of library entities which provides for the systematic and effective coordination of resources of school, public, academic, and/or special libraries and information centers, for improved services for the clientele of such library entities [20 U.S.C. 9122(2)].Has a formal organized structure that includes governance, membership, long range planning and regular funding components.Has among its members one or more libraries that meet library eligibility requirements as stated above.Non-profit Library Related OrganizationsBe a non-profit entity registered with the Nevada Secretary of State.Has tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Section 501(C)3.Has a formal organized structure that includes governance, membership, long range planning and regular funding components

Ineligibility

Supplanting not allowed: LSTA may not supplant local responsibility, fund ongoing operational costs, or replace lost funding. Other federal funds may not be used towards match.