New Mexico State Library

LSTA Advisory Council

What is LSTA?

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) distributes Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding through the Grants to States program. It is the largest source of federal funding support for library services in the U.S. For more than 50 years LSTA funding and its predecessor programs under the federal Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9101) have supported the delivery and improvement of library services in the U.S. While the law has undergone numerous reauthorizations over time, the basic function of the program, which merges federal priorities with state defined needs, continues to be critical to statewide library services.

What Does LSTA Grants to States Fund?

New Mexico State Library receives about $1.8M annually from LSTA.  Grants to States funds the following programs:

  • Rural Services (Bookmobiles, Books by Mail, Delivery to Public Libraries): 56% of LSTA funding
  • El Portal Online Databases: 31% of LSTA funding
  • Library for the Blind and Print Disabled: 4% of LSTA funding
  • Interlibrary Loan: 3% of LSTA funding
  • Summer Reading: 1% of LSTA Funding

NMSL LSTA Five Year Plan 2023-2027

Bookmobiles

  • LSTA funds 3 Bookmobiles serving over 5,000 rural New Mexicans.
  • Bookmobiles carry over 4,000 items across the state all available for checkout to rural and underserved patrons in the state.
  • Bookmobiles host Summer Reading Programs for kids and families during the summer.

Books by Mail

  • LSTA funds Books By Mail for homebound New Mexicans.
  • Books by Mail serves over 300 patrons throughout the state right to their mailbox.

Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

  • LSTA funds the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) and Braille Program providing library material to those who cannot read standard print, via direct digital download or through mail.
  • LBPD provides access to hundreds of thousands of digital audio downloads and braille books.
  • Over 150,000 books were circulated to LBPD patrons last year.

STEM Kits and Educational Outreach

  • LSTA funds circulating STEM kits and other educational outreach to public libraries delivered directly from the NM State Library to communities throughout the state.

El Portal Statewide Databases

  • LSTA funds statewide use of the El Portal database which provides access to research databases, homework and career help, and historic newspapers.
  • Public, academic and school libraries with little or no funding for research databases and e-resources can access El Portal for free.
  • Databases through El Portal are available to all New Mexicans through the NM State Library website.
  • El Portal Databases were accessed over 4.6 million times last year.

Interlibrary Loan

  • LSTA funds Interlibrary Loan services to 39 small or rural public libraries, 8 prison libraries, 5 school and academic libraries, 7 special libraries and 4 tribal libraries throughout the state.
  • ILL services allows libraries to offer expanded collections to their patrons.

Summer Reading

  • LSTA funds the NM State Library’s membership with the Collaborative Summer Library Program, allowing the state library to provide resources including vouchers to public libraries throughout the state to support Summer Reading efforts in communities.
  • Over 107,000 youth attended Summer Reading Programs

LSTA Advisory Council

General Duties and Functions

The Advisory Council’s role will be to advise the State Library Staff on the development and implementation of the state five year plan for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), assist in the evaluation of activities, and in the evaluation of LSTA grant applications and projects.  The Council has neither approval nor disapproval authority; it recommends actions to the State Library. The New Mexico State Library, as the legal authority for administering the Library Services and Technology Act, makes final decisions on all plans and programs.

Council members both individually and collectively as a group, are expected to advocate for the improvement of library services in New Mexico.

Meetings

The Advisory Council may meet twice a year via online or in person meeting, as called by the State Librarian or Deputy State Librarian.    During the meeting the council members may:

  • Review plan progress for LSTA funded statewide services and competitive grant programs
  • Review and recommend priorities and goals
  • Review and recommend products and services procured with LSTA funds (eg. databases)
  • Review applicable reports and evaluations

Council Members

The Council may comprise members representing:

  • School Libraries
  • Academic Libraries
  • Tribal Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Museum/Special Libraries

Current Council Members

  • Rachel Altobelli (School Libraries)
  • April Kent (Academic Libraries)
  • Aaliyah Gonzales (Tribal Libraries)
  • Sarah Jones (Public Libraries)
  • Vacant (Museum/Special Libraries)

Questions and Comments about LSTA?

Questions, comments, complaints and concerns about LSTA funding or projects, can be directed to:

Eli Guinnee, NM State Librarian
Phone: 505-476-9762
Email: eli.guinnee@dca.nm.gov