Library Services and Technology Act

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) was signed on October 1, 1996, by United States President Bill Clinton. LSTA is a United States federal library grant program. Its roots come from the Library Services Act that was first enacted in 1956. LSTA replaced the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) that was first enacted in 1962. The new act was developed by the American Library Association (ALA) and other library groups.[1]

Library Services and Technology Act

Other short titles	Museum and Library Services Act Museum and Library Services Act of 1996
Long title	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.
Acronyms (colloquial)	LSTA
Nicknames	Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997
Enacted by	the 104th United States Congress
Effective	September 30, 1996
Citations
Public law	104-208
Statutes at Large	110 Stat. 3009 aka 110 Stat. 3009-295
Codification
Titles amended	20 U.S.C.: Education
U.S.C. sections created	20 U.S.C. ch. 72, subch. II § 9121 et seq.
Legislative history
Introduced in the House as H.R. 3610 by Bill Young (R–FL) on June 11, 1996 Committee consideration by House Appropriations, Senate Appropriations Passed the House on September 28, 1996 (Passed without objection, in lieu H.R. 4278) Passed the Senate on September 30, 1996 (84-15 Roll call vote 302, via Senate.gov, in lieu of H.R. 4278) 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 William J. Clinton on September 30, 1996

Many changes occurred with the passage of LSTA. The original act, Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), allocated funds for construction of buildings, but LSTA has an emphasis on technology. The new priority is the creation of technological infrastructure.[2] 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 called the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).[2] The range of libraries served also changed with the enactment of LSTA. Originally, 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 under-served and rural areas, are still supported.[2]

LSCA is a federally funded state-based program generally administered by the state library of each state. Specific funding categories are set by each state based on a long-range plan filed with the IMLS.