[OPLINLIST] 2026 LSTA Competitive Grant Application Opens

Tue Aug 18 15:56:59 EDT 2026

[cid:image004.jpg at 01DD2F29.A8275EE0]<https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/competitive-grants/competitive-grants>The State Library of Ohio is proud to support Ohio’s libraries in developing programs and services that address the needs of their respective communities while remaining steadfast in their commitment to the values and principles of library service.

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants are an essential part of the State Library’s service, and we encourage eligible Ohio libraries to submit proposals for our LSTA Competitive Grant. The Ohio LSTA grant program is funded through the independent federal agency Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) via their Grants to States program. This competitive grant initiative supports Ohio’s LSTA Five-Year Plan 2023-2027<https://library.ohio.gov/static/lsta/LSTA%20Plan%202023-2027.pdf> and invites proposals that address at least one of the following three focus areas:

  *   Library as Community Anchor – These project proposals would support the role libraries play in strengthening their communities and providing a destination for learning, engagement, mental health support, workforce development, and expression. This can include areas of employment-related help, staff and patron well-being initiatives, economic development support, gathering spaces, and support for the physical and mental health of the community served.

  *   Literacy – These project proposals would support the library’s role in the development of learning experiences where literacy is defined as the ability to read, write, and interact across a range of platforms and tools. This could encompass early literacy, digital literacy, functional literacy, adult literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, and others.

  *   Outreach and Engagement – These project proposals would assist libraries in providing new and innovative ways of offering services to users (and potential users) and in reaching individuals at a variety of locations and through a range of methods. Typically focused outside of the traditional library facility, proposals may include reaching populations not otherwise served by the library as well as the establishment of new or novel partnerships that would expand the library's reach.

“With these three focus areas, eligible Ohio libraries have the opportunity to be innovative and thoughtful in crafting grant applications that effectively support their communities while aligning with the goals of the 2023-2027 LSTA Five-Year Plan,” expressed Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “I can’t wait to see the projects and initiatives that the library community proposes and that our Board ultimately approves for funding.” 

Eligible libraries of all types are welcome to apply. Applicants may request up to $50,000 in federal funds and all projects must include a 25% local cash match of the total project cost. Applications must be filled out via an online Request for Proposals (RFP), supplying required attachments, and must be received at the State Library by 11:59 p.m. October 18, 2026. Please note: applications must be completed in one sitting, so prepare accordingly. Complete information about the LSTA Competitive Grant is available at library.ohio.gov/comp-grants<https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/competitive-grants/competitive-grants>. Information about the Ohio LSTA grant program, overall, can be found at:  https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants.

To help libraries learn more about this year’s Competitive Grant initiative, State Library of Ohio staff will be hosting two drop-in, online Office Hour sessions. Those sessions will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. and Wednesday, October 7 at 2:00 p.m. Visit the State Library’s Events Calendar<https://events.library.ohio.gov/calendar/ceohio?cid=-1&t=g&d=0000-00-00&cal=-1&inc=0> for more information.

Proposals will be reviewed in November, and recommended applications will be presented to the State Library Board for approval in December 2026. The implementation period for projects is January 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027.

Questions may be addressed to LSTA at library.ohio.gov<mailto:LSTA at library.ohio.gov>. For feedback on a draft of an LSTA Competitive Grant proposal, please use this link<https://library.ohio.gov/libraries/grants/additional-resources/request-review>. Drafts must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 4th.

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[State Library of Ohio logo]

Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
35 E. Chestnut St., Floor 5
Columbus, OH 43215-2477
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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