[OPLINLIST] State Library Board Awards over $265, 000 in federal funding for Ohio LSTA Competitive Grants

[marshams at library.ohio.gov]

During its December meeting, the State Library of Ohio Board approved over $265,000 in federal funding from the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) for the twelve Ohio libraries selected to receive LSTA Competitive Grants.  The State Library's LSTA Competitive Grant program<https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/competitive-grants/competitive-grants> provides up to $50,000.00 in federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to address one of the following focus areas: library as community anchor, literacy, or outreach and engagement. The State Library of Ohio receives LSTA funding through the independent federal agency IMLS via their Grants to States<https://www.imls.gov/find-funding/funding-opportunities/grants-to-states-overview> program.

The 2025 Ohio LSTA Competitive Grant awardees are:

Akron-Summit County Public Library
Amount: $5,870
Category: Literacy
Akron-Summit County Public Library will use LSTA funds to support Magic and Masterpieces: Transformative Literacy Programming. This three-part project is designed to enhance literacy skills through engaging pilot programs and new, circulating resources. It includes Akron Story Games, an eight-week role-playing series for teens; Build-a-Book, an eight-week art and writing session for elementary school children, and a collection of circulating take-home kits to support at-home learning. These initiatives are designed for project-based learning over the summer that encourages consistent literacy engagement over an extended period of time. The library expects this pilot program to be a model that can be replicated and expanded for additional locations.

Cleveland Institute of Art
Amount: $11,460
Category: Library as Community Anchor
The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is using $11,460.00 in LSTA funds to acquire and install two Zenbooth Solo Pro study pods to further establish the Jessica R. Gund Memorial Library as a community anchor dedicated to student success. CIA currently has an acute need for additional quiet, controlled spaces that students and CIA community members can utilize for a range of purposes, including study, reflection, interviews, private phone calls, attending online courses, online appointments, commuter study space, make-up tests, accommodations for students with disabilities, and more.

Columbus State Community College
Amount: $35,235
Category: Literacy
The Columbus State Community College Library will utilize $35,235.00 in LSTA funding to enhance its Literacy, Innovation, & Technology (LIT) instruction program through the development of more innovative instruction and the renovation of its current instruction lab. The LIT Lab project will transform the existing space into a center that amplifies active learning activities, innovative instruction, and technology integration for students. The LIT Lab will replace lecture-based or point-and-click learning with active learning strategies that encourage students to engage directly with research tools, databases, and real-world information challenges. Instruction is customized to meet students at their current level of experience and connects to personal, academic, and professional information needs.

Delphos Public Library
Amount: $9,254
Category: Library as Community Anchor
The Delphos Public Library will use its LSTA funds to develop Create Space, a rural makerspace designed to support learning, creativity, and skill-building for patrons of all ages. This project is a direct response to growing community interest and a clear need for hands-on, project-based learning opportunities that extend beyond what is currently available in local schools, homeschool co-ops, at home, and elsewhere in the community.

Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County
Amount: $12,204
Category: Outreach and Engagement
The Garnet A. Wilson Public Library of Pike County's grant award will enhance its outreach services through the purchase of a cargo lift for the library's outreach vehicle and a portable science cart to support a mobile STEM/STEAM station. These additions will make it safer and more efficient for staff to transport materials, expand access to underserved areas, and deliver engaging, hands-on educational programming to Amish schools, Pike Christian Academy, Kemper Connection, and other community partners.

Kaubisch Memorial Public Library
Amount: $22,500
Category: Library as Community Anchor
Kaubisch Memorial Public Library (KMPL) will apply their grant funds to establish the Community Connection & Workforce Empowerment Hub-a collaborative initiative designed to connect Fostoria residents to vital social services, digital literacy resources, and workforce development opportunities. Currently, Fostoria lacks a single, public access point for residents to receive integrated digital, social, and workforce support. The Hub will fill that gap by bringing programs, services, and technology to a central point in the community.

Miami University Gardner-Harvey Library
Amount: $12,275
Category: Outreach and Engagement
The Gardner-Harvey Library (GHL) staff was awarded grant money to expand the technology and programming opportunities in their TEC Lab makerspace. The project allows for an increase in creative opportunities and programs for both campus and local community populations through the acquisition of a large capacity 3D printer, a resin 3D printer, a CNC router/mill, and more. Additionally, library staff will create tutorials and plan face-to-face workshops highlight the new tools for the benefit of both students and the community.

Mount Gilead Public Library
Amount: $30,169
Category: Library as Community Anchor
Mount Gilead Public Library (MGPL) will launch a community-driven Makerspace/Learning Center to expand access to skill-based education and creative exploration for residents of all ages. The makerspace will offer free and low-cost classes in sewing, cooking, podcasting, filmmaking, robotics, and more. It will eliminate the 35-40 mile travel barrier to the nearest makerspace and provide an inclusive, hands-on learning environment designed for intergenerational engagement. Programming will be guided by patron input and tailored to community interests.

Muskingum County Library System
Amount: $48,088
Category: Outreach and Engagement
Muskingum County Library System will use LSTA funds to add upgrades to their bookmobile, ensuring it can serve as a true "library on wheels." Enhancements include a dedicated outreach library materials collection for all ages, as well as technology supplies and equipment for efficient, equitable service delivery (including a laptop computer, color printer, receipt printer, barcode scanner, and a credit card reader). Targeted marketing will ensure that news of new services and bookmobile stops will directly reach the expanded neighborhoods the library expects to serve.

University of Cincinnati Clermont College
Amount: $44,884
Category: Library as Community Anchor
The Makers for Community & Content Creation initiative at University of Cincinnati Clermont College is designed to establish a makerspace within the campus library, serving as a hub for students, educators, and the broader community to foster a maker mindset and support civic engagement.  The combination of equipment, technology, programming, and partnerships will encourage the development of digital literacy skills among students and the wider community.

Washington-Centerville Public Library
Amount: $20,640
Category: Library as Community Anchor
With LSTA funds, the Washington-Centerville Public Library will be able to purchase and install a professional-grade, well-equipped podcast recording booth for public use. This initiative will empower community members, educators, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and local organizations to create high-quality audio and video content in a dedicated, accessible space. The recording booth will serve as a creative hub for storytelling, education, and outreach-supporting voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Way Public Library
Amount: $13,000
Category: Library as Community Anchor
Way Public Library is using LSTA grant funds to purchase a Charlie Cart mobile kitchen from The Charlie Cart Project. This cart includes integrated cooking appliances, utensils, storage, and a full teaching curriculum with over 50 lessons. With this Charlie Cart, the library will be able to enhance their already popular cooking classes to increase connections within the community and support food literacy and nutrition among patrons of all ages.

"I'm thrilled to see these twelve institutions awarded LSTA grant funds for what are shaping up to be some innovative offerings to support their respective communities," expressed Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian. "With this federal funding, the State Library is able to lift up programs, services, and initiatives at the local library level that can serve as scaleable examples for other Ohio libraries considering similar services."

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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614.644.6875
marshams at library.ohio.gov<mailto:marshams at library.ohio.gov>
library.ohio.gov<https://library.ohio.gov/>

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