Apply for a Grant
General Information
The Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) reviews its priorities for the use of LSTA funds annually. LSTA grant opportunities are usually announced in the spring on OCL’s website and Pennsylvania library electronic mailing lists.
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants align with the federal fiscal year, October 1 to September 30.
Grant applications are submitted via eGrants.
Projects funded with LSTA funds must meet the goals and objectives found in OCL’s approved 2018-2022 LSTA Five-Year Plan (PDF)
Grant Types
There are three types of LSTA grants that benefit academic, public, school, and special libraries. Each type is a competitive grant application process:
- Local Library Grants - These grants are awarded to projects that affect a local library, or group of local libraries (such as a system, district, or multi-county area).
- Statewide Library Service Grants - These grants are awarded to organizations that have the capacity to develop and deliver services for academic, public, school, or special libraries that are located across Pennsylvania.
- Fiscal Agent Grants - These grants are awarded to organizations that have the capacity to provide OCL with administrative and programmatic support when it implements statewide LSTA-funded programs in areas like leadership and training, early learning services, etc.