Contact Name
Ms. Cara Rothman
Contact Title
State Librarian, Division Director
State Library Address

Utah State Library
250 North 1950 West
Suite A
Salt Lake City, UT 84116-7901
United States

Contact Email Address
crothman@utah.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
    2020 $2,015,862.00
    2021 $2,063,031.00
    2022 $2,059,165.00
    2023 $2,291,110.00
    2024 $2,289,874.00
    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
    utah5yearplan.pdf 2.66 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
    utah5yearevaluation.pdf 1.98 MB

    Project Examples

    tote bags filled with books set on top of table

    Continued Pandemic Response Grants
    Using CARES Act stimulus funds the Utah State Library Division provided a pandemic response mini-grant round to all public libraries in the state. Up to $5000 per grant was available to be spent on safety measures, digital inclusion efforts, and other areas of library service that were impacted by the pandemic. These grants, given to 18 libraries, helped Utahns receive library service even with pandemic disruptions. Projects represented seven categories including: Personal Protective Equipment, Sanitation and other Safety; Digital Inclusion; Online Program Creation; Youth Services; Virtual Summer Reading Programming; Support for Jobseekers; and Partnerships with Museums or Tribes. Libraries purchased a range of items from ensuring safe Summer Reading to take and make kits to hotspots to eBooks, all in response to individuals' communities and their needs.   
    IMLS Funds: $61,220.36

    Emery County School District logo

    Assisting Students for a Stronger Emery Tomorrow
    Emery County Libraries partnered with the Emery County School District to increase student access to electronic educational resources and provide them with tools for completing schoolwork at home. They used grant funds to purchase 22 internet-enabled devices, which were designated for external library circulation amongst the 8 libraries. These circulating devices included a carrying bag, a hotspot with filtered internet access, and wireless headphones with integrated microphone, allowing students to participate in distance learning opportunities. With the onset of the pandemic, the libraries adapted their promotional strategies to spread the word about device availability and also adapted their check-out policies for overnight use.
    IMLS Funds: $8,980
     

    Tremonton City Library logo

    Online Oral History Project
    The Tremonton City Library reached out to the community and recorded individuals who had stories that were unique to the city and the larger Bear River Valley area. Most stories were between 3-5 minute audio files. The library also gathered photographs from the storyteller, museum, historical society, senior center and other community entities to add to each mini biography. The library added the oral histories to a platform that feeds them to the library website for public viewing and listening. During the project period, the library completed 28 stories from 14 different storytellers, which helped to preserve the area’s family history.  
    IMLS Funds: $7,133.50

    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: Ensure equitable access to quality information resources. 

    • Projects include: 
      • Statewide bookmobile operations  
      • Program for the blind and disabled 
      • Interlibrary loan 
      • Online databases 
      • Access to e-resources 
      • Utah Government Digital Library  
      • Access to state collections including book sets and activity kits 

    Goal 2: Support excellence in library operations and services. 

    • Projects include: 
      • Professional development and training of the library workforce  
      • Subgrants for library operations improvements  
      • Subgrants for library service improvements 

    Goal 3: Promote and support lifelong learning. 

    • Projects include: 
      • Learning opportunities for children and youth  

    Goal 4: Strengthen community engagement and build thriving communities. 

    • Projects include: 
      • Collaborations for cultural and community engagement  

    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.

    Impact Videos