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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Pickerington Public Library, Germantown Public Library, Monroeville Public Library, and Rock Creek Public Library have been awarded federally funded Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) Open Grants from the State Library of Ohio. Recognizing that each library knows its community best, the State Library of Ohio’s LSTA Open Grant program offers applicants flexibility in the development of their projects. <br>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The aim is for libraries seeking the grant to showcase their innovation and creativity by proposing projects that may not be possible without the support of federal LSTA funding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The <a href="https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/open-grant/open-grant" target="_blank">
LSTA Open Grant program</a> allows libraries to request up to $4,999 in federal funds. No local match is required. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed and awarded in the order they are received and within two grant cycles per year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Libraries selected from the July–December 2025 application cycle were awarded a total of
<b>$18,877</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l3 level1 lfo1"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Pickerington Public Library – $3,920</span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><br>
Funding will support a series of American Sign Language (ASL) classes for both the public and library staff. These sessions will enhance accessibility, increase awareness of barriers facing the Deaf community, and help foster a more inclusive environment. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Germantown Public Library – $4,987</span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><br>
Grant funds will expand early literacy programming and services at a new school location, strengthening partnerships with local schools and serving young learners in the community. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Monroeville Public Library – $4,975</span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><br>
The library will enhance community education and programming by establishing a pollinator garden and offering related educational programs near the library. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4"><b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">Rock Creek Public Library – $4,995</span></b><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"><br>
Funding will support the creation of a Civic Engagement and Community Hub in the library’s annex building, strengthening the library’s role as a community connector and expanding partnership opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The State Library receives federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) LSTA funding through their Grants to States Program. The LSTA Open Grant program is designed to support
all types of libraries in addressing specific needs within their communities while advancing the goals outlined in the State Library of Ohio’s LSTA Five-Year Plan. Applicants are asked to clearly describe a community need they plan to address, outline the
expected benefits of the proposed project, detail how the impact will be measured, and explain how the project aligns with the State Library's LSTA goals. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">The State Library of Ohio congratulates the 2026 Open Grant recipients and looks forward to the positive impact these innovative projects will have across their communities. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Source Sans 3",sans-serif">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="268" height="80" style="width:2.7916in;height:.8333in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DCAC9C.6962CAB0" alt="A picture containing text
Description automatically generated"></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0E3F75">Marsha McDevitt-Stredney<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Director, Marketing & Communications<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">State Library of Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">274 E. 1<sup>st</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Columbus, OH 43201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#5A5A5A">Tel: 614.644.6875<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><a href="mailto:marshams@library.ohio.gov"><span style="color:#0070C0">marshams@library.ohio.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><a href="https://library.ohio.gov/"><span style="color:#0070C0">library.ohio.gov</span></a><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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