An Act to provide for library services and technology under Museum and Library Services Act, with an emphasis on library services and technology, access, and literacy programs for underserved communities.
Reported by the joint conference committee on September 28, 1996; agreed to by the House on September 28, 1996 (370-37 Roll call vote 455, via Clerk.House.gov) and by the Senate on September 30, 1996 (Passed voice vote)
Signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 30, 1996
Many changes occurred with the passage of LSTA. The original act, the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), allocated funds for building construction, but LSTA emphasizes technology. The new priority is the creation of technological infrastructure.[3] Another change that occurred with the passage of LSCA was the responsibility of library services. This responsibility was originally a part of the Department of Education. It was moved to the newly created, independent federal agency: the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).[3] The range of libraries served also changed with the enactment of LSTA. Initially, public libraries were primarily served by LSCA. With the passage of LSTA, all types of libraries are served, including public, school, academic, and special.
Not all initiatives under LSCA have changed with the enactment of LSTA. Priorities, like services to the underserved and rural areas, are still supported.[3]
LSCA is a federally funded state-based program generally administered by the state library of each state. Each state sets specific funding categories based on a long-range plan filed with the IMLS.
State Libraries LSTA Resources and Five-Year Plans
^Mathews Virginia H. 2004. Libraries Citizens & Advocacy: The Lasting Effects of Two White House Conferences on Library and Information Services. Washington D.C.: White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services Taskforce.
^Flagg, Gordon. "News Fronts Washington." American Libraries, December 1995.
^ abcGregory, Gwen. "The Library Services and Technology Act: How Changes from LSCA are Affecting Libraries." Public Libraries, Vol. 38, no. 6, 1999: p. 378-82.
