The Idaho Commission for Libraries is conducting an evaluation of the use of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds, as specified in the Commission’s LSTA Long-Range Plan, 2008 -2012. 

Idaho Power is offering Powering Tomorrow Grants to recognize organizations that work to further educational excellence in unique ways. Libraries and other educators can tell their education story at www.facebook.com/idahopower by Jan.31, 2012 and their organization could be the recipient of a grant.

Has your library completed a successful marketing campaign? Then here is your chance to share your story for the chance to win $10,000. 

So far in Wave 1 of 2011 E-Rate funding, 57 public libraries have received funding commitments. Most schools or libraries have more than one funding request. There is a separate funding request for each vendor and, depending on the service (e.g., telecommunications or Internet), a library may have two or more funding requests for the same vendor.

Districting projects demonstrate to the community what a well funded library might look like. Projects are specific to the library and focus on patron benefit, improving such things as the library's collection, public access computing, increased hours of operation, increased staffing as well as other things more specific to the community.

On February 19th, the Board of Library Commissioners awarded all five of the 2010 LSTA Competitive Grant applications submitted.

Responses to the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey at www.plinternetsurvey.org increased significantly in the last week. A big thank you to those who have completed it!

Please help the Idaho library community document our growing needs for technology and connectivity by participating in the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study online survey, open through November 6, 2009 at www.plinternetsurvey.org.

What is this study?

It certainly seems the season for construction - both real and virtual! The SLD website will be down for an upgrade until 6 a.m. PDT or 7 a.m. MDT on Monday, September 14.

You may be aware that legislation was passed that created the Idaho Education Network*. Public libraries are included in this legislation. What this means, in a practical sense, is that the State of Idaho is committed to a build-out of bandwidth that is necessary to provide educational opportunities to schools and other entities such as public libraries.