Contact Name
Mr. Ray Walling
Contact Title
State Librarian
State Library Address

State Library of Kansas
300 SW 10th Avenue
Room 312-N
Topeka, KS 66612-1593
United States

Contact Email Address
ray.walling@ks.gov
Grants to State Programs

The Grants to States Program

The Grants to States Program is the largest grant program run by IMLS; it provides funds to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAAs) using a population-based formula set by the law. SLAAs determine goals and objectives for the funds in their statutorily required five-year plan (see below). For more information, see the Grants to States program overview.

    Allotments
    YearAllotment Value
    2019 $1,800,508.00
    2020 $1,904,455.00
    2021 $1,927,141.00
    2022 $1,934,170.00
    2023 $2,121,682.00
    5 Year Plan Text

    Each state creates a 5-year plan for its programs to strengthen the efficiency, reach, and effectiveness of library services. View all states' plans.

    5 year plan
    Attachment Size
    kansas5yearplan.pdf 3.55 MB
    5 Year Evaluation Text

    At the end of a 5-year period, each state reports their results in achieving goals and objectives projected in their 5-Year Plan. View all states' evaluations.

    5 year evaluation
    Attachment Size
    kansas5yearevaluation.pdf 648.83 KB
    Ray Walling, State Librarian, State Library of Kansas

    “The resources and services funded through the LSTA program are integral to the operations of all Kansas libraries. Our statewide databases, digital book collections, summer reading program, resource sharing infrastructure, and talking books services could not be offered at current levels without this support.”

    -Ray Walling, State Librarian, State Library of Kansas 
     

    Project Examples

    display of notable books with signage referencing the State Library of Kansas and IMLS

    Kansas Notable Books
    The State Library of Kansas offered a grant opportunity that allowed libraries to purchase titles from the Kansas Notable Books list. The project promoted statewide access to these works and supported writers throughout the state. The Kansas Notable Books list is the annual recognition of 15 outstanding titles by Kansas authors or books about Kansas. It is the only honor for Kansas books by Kansans. Books are selected by the Kansas Center for the Book committee from titles published in the previous year. Public, school, and academic libraries were eligible to receive funds to cover the cost of the Notable Books, and 167 grants were awarded. Through this initiative, over 2,000 titles by Kansans or about Kansas were added to shelves during the project period. Kansas Notable Books is a project of the Kansas Center for the Book, a program of the State Library. 
    IMLS Funds: $39,027.65 

    Picture alt text: Talking Books recording booth with man and woman in headphones

    Grants to Public Libraries
    The State Library of Kansas utilized CARES Act funding to help libraries prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. The simple grant application available to public libraries included an expansive list of pre-approved purchases, which was designed to make the process easy and accessible. Libraries spent the grant funds on improving technology for patrons and staff, improving broadband services, implementing programming, and purchasing personal protective equipment, digital resources, and summer reading materials. With these purchases, Kansas libraries were able to safely re-open physical spaces and continue providing essential services during the pandemic.
    IMLS Funds: $122,500 

    State Library of Kansas logo

    Talking Books
    Through its Talking Books program, the State Library of Kansas provided a variety of services for Kansans with visual impairments and other print disabilities. These included personal assistance via phone, email, and order forms to fulfill patron reading interests and requests. The State Library subscribes to an automation system designed to meet the complex needs of a service for persons with various print disabilities. Through this tool, the State Library’s website offers digital books and magazines from the National Library Service, which coordinates similar programs across the U.S. There are more than 118,000 books and 80 magazines available for download from this site, and new titles are constantly being added. As part of the project, the State Library of Kansas also provided braille transcription and production services for other state agencies.
    IMLS Funds: $139,941.16 

    Review recent Grants to States projects from this state library in the State Program Report database.

    Search the Awarded Grants Database for additional details about awards in this state or view the State Details Dashboard.

    Five-Year Plan Highlights

    Goal 1: Lifelong Learning - The State Library will continue as the leadership agency that designs, facilitates, and supports efficiencies, cooperative projects, and information products to ensure robust resources and access for all state residents.

    • Projects include:
      • Statewide databases 
      • Statewide literacy projects such as the Summer Reading Program 

    Goal 2: Information Access - The State Library will continue providing a comprehensive statewide resource sharing environment to ensure that all state residents have equitable access to information resources to assist them in their personal, educational, and professional growth.

    • Projects Include:
      • Talking Books, for blind, physically disabled, and/or print-disabled residents
      • Statewide resource sharing through the Kansas Library Catalog 
      • Kansas Government Information Online Library for state documents
      • Digital collection for statewide access to e-books and audiobooks 

    Goal 3: Institutional Capacity - The State Library will assist librarians across the state in providing technologically advanced and high-quality library services.

    • Projects include:
      • Continuing Education for librarians and Kansas residents
      • Public library statistics

    IMLS Data Collection

    State Library Administrative Agency Survey
    The State Library Administrative Agency Survey (SLAA) provides descriptive data about state library agencies for all fifty states and the District of Columbia. To interact with the latest data, please visit the SLAA Survey Comparison Tool

    Public Libraries Survey
    The Public Libraries Survey (PLS) provides national descriptive data on the status of public libraries in the United States and its territories. Explore state profiles representing more than 9,000 public library systems and over 17,000 public library outlets.