[Answerland] FW: [AL-Directors] LSTA 2026 funding secured!

[STARKSMITH Gesse * SLO]

Hello,

I wanted to make sure you all saw the news that the federal government has passed a 2026 budget that would fund the LSTA Grants to States program at a similar level to this year's funding. This would cover costs for Answerland at least through the end of July 2027. Hooray!

Thanks to you all for the work you have done on contingency planning for a potential loss of funding. Unfortunately, I do think that work could be useful in the future, as we face an ongoing climate of instability and uncertainty with federal funds. However, for today, I'm so glad that I will get to keep doing this work with you all! Thank you for your ongoing support of Answerland and the work you all do to provide information access and reference support to Oregonians. Let me know if you have questions.

All the best,
Gesse Stark-Smith, MIS (she/her)
Virtual Reference Coordinator
State Library of Oregon
gesse.stark-smith at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:gesse.stark-smith at slo.oregon.gov> | 971-600-4992
www.oregon.gov/library/libraries<https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
Work Schedule: Mon 11-5, Weds & Thurs 8:30-4

[Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon]<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>


From: AL-Directors <al-directors-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> On Behalf Of CORNELISEN Wendy * SLO via AL-Directors
Sent: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 1:59 PM
To: Jennifer Keyser via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>; Jen Maurer <oasl-all at ola.memberclicks.net>
Cc: HANNING Darci C * SLO via TL-Directors <tl-directors at omls.oregon.gov>; Public Library Directors announcement list (pl-directors at omls.oregon.gov) <pl-directors at omls.oregon.gov>; Academic Library Directors announcement list (al-directors at omls.oregon.gov) <al-directors at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: [AL-Directors] LSTA 2026 funding secured!

Last night, the House passed and the president signed the Labor, Health and Human Services Act funding, which includes our favorite federal agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Federal fiscal year 2026 funding for IMLS includes:


  *   Office of Library Services (LSTA)
     *   Grants to States: $181,400,000  (+$1.4M over 2025)
     *   Native American Library Services: $5,763,000 (level funded)
     *   National Leadership Grants: $15,287,000 (level funded)
     *   Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian: $10,000,000 (level funded)
     *   Total LSTA: $212,450,000  (+$1.4M over 2025)
  *   Office of Museum Services (Museum Services Act): $42,850,000 (-$12.6M from 2025)
  *   African American History & Culture Act (Museum Grants): $6,000,000 (was previously under OMS, level funded)
  *   National Museum of the American Latino Act (Museum Grants): $6,000,000 (was previously under OMS, level funded)
  *   Research, Analysis, Data Collection: $5,500,000 (-$150,000 from 2025)
  *   Program Administration: $19,000,000 (-$3,650,000 from 2025)
  *   Total IMLS: $291,800,000 (-$3M from 2025)

In summary, there's a small ($1.4M) increase for LSTA, all for Grants to States.  The Office of Museum Services and its programs, some of which are no longer under OMS but are under the greater IMLS umbrella, have been reduced by $600,000.  The Office of Research and Evaluation had a small reduction ($150,000) and IMLS Administrations the largest reduction ($3.65M).

LSTA funds are distributed by state population, and it will be a few more days before we have the updated (expected to be slightly higher) total for Oregon's LSTA 2026 grant.  These are the funds that we spend in FY2027, starting in July 2026.

This is a milestone to celebrate! The next step is for the State Library to receive the Award Letter, and then the LSTA Grant Assurances forms will be reviewed and signed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Wendy

Wendy Cornelisen (she, her, hers)
State Librarian
State Library of Oregon
wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:wendy.cornelisen at slo.oregon.gov>
Office: 503-378-4367| Mobile 971-375-3992
www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>
[Title: State Library of Oregon]

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