State Library of Ohio Library Services and Technology Act Competitive Grants
🏛 Ohio State Library Board
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Aug 30, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Ohio libraries seeking to improve community services through innovative projects. Public libraries, library consortia, and library systems in Ohio are eligible applicants. Projects must align with at least one focus area: Library as Community Anchor, Literacy, or Outreach and Engagement. A 25% local cash match is required. Applicants must have a valid UEI registered before submitting.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
Ohio libraries continuously reassess and transform methods and resources used to support and enhance the lives of the residents and communities they serve. In recent years, libraries have launched innovative and creative solutions with an unwavering commitment to the values and principles of library service. The State Library commends these initiatives and is dedicated to supporting Ohio libraries in further evolving and enriching their programs and services to address the needs of their communities. Ohio LSTA grants are an essential part of our service, and we encourage eligible Ohio libraries to submit proposals for the Ohio LSTA Competitive Grant. This grant initiative supports Ohio’s LSTA Five Year Plan 2023-2027 and invites proposals that address at least one of the following three focus areas: Library as Community Anchor These project proposals would support the role libraries play in strengthening their communities and providing a destination for learning, engagement, mental health support, workforce development, and expression. This can include areas of employment-related help, staff and patron well-being initiatives, economic development support, gathering spaces, and support for the physical and mental health of the community served. Literacy These project proposals would support the library’s role in the development of learning experiences where literacy is defined as the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms and tools. This could encompasses early literacy, digital literacy, functional literacy, adult literacy, financial literacy, health literacy, and others. Outreach and Engagement These project proposals would assist libraries in providing new and innovative ways of offering services to users (and potential users) and in reaching individuals at a variety of locations and through a range of methods. Typically focused outside of the traditional library facility, proposals may include reaching populations not otherwise served by the library as well as the establishment of new or novel partnerships that would expand the library’s reach. Applicants may request up to $50,000 in federal funds and all projects must include a 25% local cash match of the total project cost. Applications must be received at the State Library by 11:59 p.m. Sunday October 18, 2026. 25% local cash match of the total project cost is required. Eligible applicants must submit a UEI with their application. All applicable rules and guidelines are to be followed regarding the disbursement and use of these federal funds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Program contact
- 👤 Jeff Regensburger
- 📧 lsta@library.ohio.gov
- 📞 (614) 644-6863
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 394 | 42 | 11% |
Source: California Grants Portal
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 45.310 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$15,704,570
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$15,664,873
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$14,444,788
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$12,815,954
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$12,668,868
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$12,499,215
-
$11,748,227
-
$10,440,801
-
$9,742,781
-
$9,715,885
Top States by Funding
- TX 5 awards $58.1M
- CA 4 awards $56.3M
- FL 5 awards $43.7M
- IL 7 awards $38.6M
- PA 5 awards $28.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 45.310). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $180,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $180,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $181,400,000 |
Similar grants
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- OPEN National Leadership Grants for Libraries (2027) — Institute of Museum and Library Services
- OPEN Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 AmeriCorps State Competitive Grants — Ohio Commission on Service and Volunteerism
- ROLLING Lunch at the Library Summer 2027 — CA State Library (California)
- CLOSING SOON Family Success Network Montgomery and Lorain — Ohio Department of Children and Youth