Statewide UNC Resource Sharing Project Funded

The 17 University of North Carolina (UNC) libraries have been awarded a $130,000 grant to complete a project begun in 2007/08, the implementation of a virtual union catalog system that will enable their users to request prompt delivery of materials to and from all UNC institutions across the state. This system will serve UNC students, faculty, and staff, particularly those engaged in distance and online learning. The federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds were awarded by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

These LSTA funds originate from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS and target the expansion of learning resources and access to information for individuals from all walks of life. The LSTA grant will enable the public university libraries of North Carolina to create a single online gateway to the bibliographic information for their collections, currently available only through their separate library catalogs. With a rapid request and delivery system, the UNC libraries will be able to target their collections expenditures more accurately in accordance with institutional strengths. Also as part of the project, the libraries are undertaking a comparative analysis of their collections to document their respective strengths and guide future selection of materials. These efficiencies help to further the goals of UNC President Erskine Bowles’ President's Advisory Committee on Efficiency and Effectiveness (PACE) initiative.

The UNC libraries received one of 160 LSTA grants totaling $4,243,389 awarded to North Carolina libraries for 2008-09. The LSTA grants support projects across the state to help libraries provide relevant and up-to-date services for their users. Through the Grants to States program, the Institute of Museum and Library Services provides these funds to state library agencies using a population-based formula. State libraries may use the appropriation to support statewide initiatives and services. They also may distribute the funds through subgrant competitions or cooperative agreements to public, academic, research, school, and special libraries in their state.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas and that fulfill their mission as centers of lifelong learning. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

For more information about the federal IMLS/LSTA grants, visit the IMLS Web site , the State Library’s LSTA Web site , or contact Penny Hornsby at the State Library of North Carolina, (919) 807-7420.