State Library of Ohio Library Services and Technology Act Conservation and Preservation Grant
🏛 Ohio State Library Board
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified May 31, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for Ohio libraries seeking to conserve a single item or preserve a small, discrete group of items in their collections. Eligible items must be unique and valuable (culturally or monetarily), reflecting Ohio's historic and artistic record. All analog formats are accepted: books, paper, objects, and artwork.
Applicants must attend the mandatory workshop on May 19, 2026, or submit an opt-out form confirming attendance at the May 2025 workshop by May 19, 2026. This workshop covers conservation criteria, evaluator considerations, finding and working with conservators, contracts, insurance, and treatment documentation.
Only libraries in Ohio may apply. No cost sharing is required. Maximum award is $4,999 per project.
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Program description
The LSTA Conservation and Preservation Grant enables libraries to conserve a single item or preserve a small, discrete group of items within their collections. The State Library of Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Preservation Council (OPC), is pleased to announce the availability of federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds of up to $4,999 for libraries to conserve a single item or preserve a small, discrete group of items within their collections. The item(s) selected for conservation/preservation should be unique, valuable (culturally or monetarily), and as a cultural artifact speak to the mission and values of the applying institution. Additionally, as a cultural artifact or collection it should reflect some element of the historic and artistic record of Ohio. This is in accordance with goals outlined in The State Library of Ohio’s Five Year LSTA Plan. All analog formats, including book and paper, object, and artwork are appropriate. Under this special program, prospective applicants must attend the workshop on May 19th, 2026 workshop, or submit the opt-out form indicating they attended the May 2025 workshop by May 19th, in order to submit a grant application. This workshop will prepare applying institutions for submitting a successful application. By attending the workshop, prospective applicants will gain knowledge of the criteria for selecting materials for conservation/preservation, basic evaluation considerations, finding a conservator, working with conservators, contracts and insurance, and treatment documentation. Ohio LSTA funding for the Conservation & Preservation Grant is from the independent federal agency IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) via their Grants to States program. Funds are provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grants to States program and are beholden to all applicable laws and guidelines.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Workshop attendance documentation or opt-out form
- Conservation/preservation proposal
- Item description and significance statement
- Conservator estimates or quotes
- Proof of library status (501c3 or public institution)
Program contact
- 👤 Jeff Regensburger
- 📧 jregensburger@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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 36 | 17 | 47% |
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
-
$15,664,873
-
$14,444,788
-
$12,815,954
-
$12,668,868
-
$12,512,132
-
$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 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Any library in Ohio with items or collections that meet the grant criteria. You must attend the mandatory workshop on May 19, 2026, or provide proof of attending a previous workshop.
What types of items can be conserved or preserved?
Unique, valuable analog items reflecting Ohio's history. Books, paper, objects, and artwork are all eligible formats.
Is cost sharing required?
No, cost sharing is not required for this grant.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $4,999 are available. This is a fixed pool grant, so fund availability depends on final appropriation.
When is the deadline?
The application deadline is August 23, 2026. The mandatory workshop is May 19, 2026.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Attend the May 19, 2026 workshop or document prior attendance before the deadline; applications from non-attendees will be ineligible.
- Select items that are both unique and valuable, with clear cultural or monetary significance to your institution and Ohio.
- Work with conservators early in the process; budget your $4,999 award to cover professional assessment and treatment.
- Document the historic and artistic importance of your selected items in your application narrative.
- Prepare detailed treatment plans and cost estimates before submitting your application.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Selecting items that are neither unique nor valuable. Skipping the mandatory workshop, making the application ineligible. Underestimating conservator costs or overreaching with multiple items when the grant is designed for single items or small groups.
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