| Shorttitle: | Library Services and Technology Act |
| Longtitle: | 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. |
| Colloquialacronym: | LSTA |
| Nickname: | Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997 |
| Enacted By: | 104th |
| Effective Date: | September 30, 1996 |
| Public Law Url: | https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-110/pdf/STATUTE-110-Pg3009.pdf |
| Cite Public Law: | 104-208 |
| Cite Statutes At Large: | aka 110 Stat. 3009-295 |
| Title Amended: | 20 U.S.C.: Education |
| Sections Created: | § 9121 et seq. |
| Leghisturl: | http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d104:HR03610:@@@R |
| Introducedin: | House |
| Introducedby: | Bill Young (R–FL) |
| Introduceddate: | June 11, 1996 |
| Committees: | House Appropriations, Senate Appropriations |
| Passedbody1: | House |
| Passeddate1: | September 28, 1996 |
| Passedvote1: | Passed without objection, in lieu |
| Passedbody2: | Senate |
| Passeddate2: | September 30, 1996 |
| Passedvote2: | 84-15, in lieu of |
| Conferencedate: | September 28, 1996 |
| Passedbody3: | House |
| Passeddate3: | September 28, 1996 |
| Passedvote3: | 370-37 |
| Passedbody4: | Senate |
| Passeddate4: | September 30, 1996 |
| Passedvote4: | Passed voice vote |
| Signedpresident: | Bill Clinton |
| Signeddate: | September 30, 1996 |
United States President Bill Clinton signed the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) on October 1, 1996. LSTA is a United States federal library grant program. Its roots come from the Library Services Act, first enacted in 1956. LSTA replaced the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), first enacted in 1962. The National Commission on Libraries and Information Science held two White House Conferences that generated discussion and support.[1]
The American Library Association (ALA) and other library groups developed the new act.[2]
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.
American Library Association, Fight to Defend Federal Funding for Libraries