Library Services and Technology Act Grant
The 2007 LSTA Training Curriclum for librarians may be found at: www.librarian411.org
The
Department of Mental Health has participated in the Library Services Technology
Act Grant since 1998.
July 2008 - June 2009
In July 2009 the Department of Mental Health was once more awarded funding under the Library Services and Technology Act.
Goals of this year's awards follows:
Goal 1: Promote the use of public libraries as an important resource in skills development and self-determination among persons with disabilities and their advocates.
Goal 2: Assist local public libraries in offering library programs and services that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Goal 3: Provide support to Institutional Libraries and DMH Computer sites to enhance services through training and networking with local community libraries.
We will continue to expand the librarian411 training, provide funding to expand services in our institutional libraries and promote the use of public libraries in the disability community.
2003- Spring 2008, 5 year Plan Activities:
In 2003 the Missouri State Library developed a new Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Five Year Plan spanning from 2003 - 2005. While the 1998 - 2002 plan focused on providing funding for technology and information access, the new plan called for funding programs which would support increased excellence in library services, acknowledging the need for strong partnerships with groups working to advance education and lifelong learning and promoting expansion of information resources through new technologies. A strong focus was placed on improving services to person with disabilities.
In the fall of 2003, the Missouri Department of Mental Health was awarded LSTA funds to:
- Promote the use of public libraries as important resources in skills development and self determination among persons with disabilities and their advocates.
- Assist local public libraries in offering accessible library programs and services to persons with disabilities, and
- Provide support to Institutional Libraries and DMH Computer sites to enhance services through training and networking with local community libraries.
Kansas City: The Kansas City Public Library, in conjunction with Truman Behavioral Mental Health Center, developed training materials and conducted training for the Kansas City Area Library Consortia regarding providing services to persons with disabilities.
Joplin: The Joplin Regional Center, in partnership with libraries in Joplin and other rural libraries, held several training's which focused on assistive technology and other disability related topics.
In FY2006 two new sites were chosen to participate in the project. During 2006, librarians, persons with disabilities, family and other community members participated in training sponsored by the Sikeston and Daniel Boone Regional Library sites. Efforts also continued in the Joplin and Kansas City areas.
During the Winter and Spring of 2007 a comprehensive training curriculum for Librarians was developed. Feedback obtained from focus groups was used in the curriculum development. Focus group members included public librarians, professionals, and people with disabilities. This curriculum will be web based and will be available online by completed by November 1, 2007.
The LSTA training curriculum was completed in the fall of 2007. The training includes modules regarding disability awareness, disability etiquette, assistive technology and crisis response. It was piloted at the Missouri Library Association conference in Springfield in theOctober 2007.
If you are interested in additional information or want to provide input on this training for librarians, please email or call Nancy Nickolaus at 573-751-8669 or Tonya Hays-Martin at 573-592-2262 (a.m.), 573-592-2261 (p.m.).
