LSTA Five Year Plan Evaluation, 1998-2002, 2002

The LSTA goals for Iowa, FY98-FY02, are as follows: 1. Provide all Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network. 2. Improve library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and wellinformed public library trustees and library users. 3. Meet Iowans’ increasing demands for information and library services by identifying and encouraging resource sharing and partnerships. 4. Provide state level leadership and services to accomplish the LSTA Five-Year Plan. The primary objectives of this evaluation are to provide: $ An assessment of the overall impact of Iowa’s LSTA funding and success in achieving the goals identified in the state’s five-year plan. $ An in-depth analysis of two specific goals from the plan: providing Iowans with expanded access to information and materials through the State of Iowa Libraries Online (SILO) network; and improving library service to Iowans through knowledgeable, well-trained staff and well-informed public library trustees and library users. LSTA built on accomplishments made possible with the federal HEA II-B grant awarded to the State Library in 1995. This grant led the way in bringing technology to Iowa libraries by creating an electronic library network for resource sharing. SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) became fully functional in 1997. The State Library continued funding SILO with LSTA money when the grant ended. This funding supports the SILO infrastructure, providing equitable access to information through cutting edge technology to Iowans in both small and large, rural and urban, communities. Access to electronic material and information has encouraged public libraries to increase the number of computers and public access to the Internet. LSTA funding was used to increase training opportunities for library staff and trustees. Many programs, such as librarian certification, were strengthened by an increase in continuing education opportunities.

Independent Living Program, Vol. 1

Quarterly newsletter from Commission for the Blind.

Independent Living Program, Vol. 2

Quarterly newsletter from Commission for the Blind.

LSTA Five Year Plan 2008-2012, 2007

The 2008-2012 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Plan represents a blueprint for the State Library of Iowa’s federally funded activities over the next five years. We feel we have been successful in striking a balance between challenging ourselves to achieve more and being realistic about what we can actually accomplish with current human and financial resources. We have incorporated “Lessons Learned” from the previous five year plan. These include: • Continue to use LSTA funding primarily for projects of statewide impact, an emphasis based on input from the Iowa library community. • Consider carefully the ramifications of taking on additional projects. We have carefully selected a few, new projects. • Leverage staff resources and non-federal funding to carry out our LSTA plan. A number of programs and services identified in the plan also use state funding, including the State Data Center, Iowa Publications Online, Direct State Aid, Open Access and Access Plus. • Measure progress regularly and frequently. We plan to review our progress in implementing the plan at least quarterly and will ask the Iowa Commission of Libraries to review progress annually. • Write objectives that come closer to identifying impact. We believe our target outcomes are do-able and come closer to measuring impact.

The State Report Card for No Child Left Behind Iowa Department of Education, December 2006

The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 requires each state to provide an annual report card to inform stakeholders and the public about the progress of students and schools on indicators of student achievement and other information that relates to student success. The State Report Card provides state level data to serve as a comparison for schools and districts as they consider and implement improvement efforts to increase the success for all Iowa students.

Independent Living Program, Vol. 1, 2007

The Iowa Department for the Blind is the state agency that serves Iowans with vision loss. Services are free, confidential and available statewide. "There are no limitations to what you can do with training and a positive attitude." (All quotes in this newsletter are from former training participants). At the Iowa Department for the Blind, we believe in a positive approach to blindness. Vision loss alone should not prevent anyone from being independent. For this reason, we offer a wide variety of opportunities to obtain the skills necessary for independence.

Footnotes, March, April, May 2007, Vol. 32, no. 3, 4, 5

Monthly newsletter of the State Library

Footnotes, June, July, August 2007, Vol. 32, no. 6,7, 8

Monthly newsletter of the State Library

Orientation Center Newsletter, August, 2007, Vol. 27, no. 1

The Orientation Center newsletter is produced three times a year, and includes articles written by students, staff, and former students. It also contains news about what is happening to other students who have been in the Center.

LSTA Five Year Plan 2008-2012, 2007

The 2008-2012 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Plan represents a blueprint for the State Library of Iowa’s federally funded activities over the next five years. We feel we have been successful in striking a balance between challenging ourselves to achieve more and being realistic about what we can actually accomplish with current human and financial resources. We have incorporated “Lessons Learned” from the previous five year plan.

State Library of Iowa, Sustaining a State of Learners, Highlights - January 1999 to November 2006.

A highlight of the past ten years' accomplishments of the State Library of Iowa.

Independent Living Program, Vol. 3, 2007

The Iowa Department for the Blind is the state agency that serves Iowans with vision loss. Services are free, confidential and available statewide. "There are no limitations to what you can do with training and a positive attitude." (All quotes in this newsletter are from former training participants). At the Iowa Department for the Blind, we believe in a positive approach to blindness. Vision loss alone should not prevent anyone from being independent. For this reason, we offer a wide variety of opportunities to obtain the skills necessary for independence.

State Library Update, October 2007, Vol.5, no. 4. Library of Iowa, State.

Quarterly update for State Library patrons.

Footnotes, September - December 2007, Vol. 32, no. 9-12

Monthly newsletter of the State Library

State Library Update, January 2008, Vol.6, no. 1. Library of Iowa, State.

Quarterly update for State Library patrons.