On June 13, 1997, the New Hampshire State Library Advisory Council approved the recommendations of the State Librarian that one public library receive a construction assistance grant and that twenty-two public libraries receive funding for technology enhancement projects under Title II of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA). Grant funds were also awarded to the New Hampshire Automated Information System and the New Hampshire State Library for system enhancement and LSCA administration.

These are the last grants that will be awarded under LSCA which will be replaced in 1998 by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Unlike its predecessor, LSTA will not be administered by the U.S. Department of Education but, instead, will be moved to the newly created Institute for Museum an Library Services.

The total amount of LSCA Title II funds available this year was $146,306 and this was matched by $237,189 in local and state funds. Projects were approved on the basis of their applications, availability of matching funds, certifications and assurances, building and technology plans, resource-sharing efforts, and willingness to meet public library standards in accordance with the Statewide Library Development System. Before grant awards were made, the Advisory Council had an opportunity to review the grant proposals and to discuss them with the State Librarian, the Administrator of Library Operations, and members of the Library Development Services Section. The projects have been forwarded to the U.S. Department of Education for final review and once approved will be submitted to Governor and Council for final approval. The following is a brief description of the projects showing the amounts of the grant awards and matching funds:

PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION

Walpole Town Library
This project proposes to bring the library into compliance with ADA requirements and involves the renovation of the children's room in order to permit the addition of a fully accessible unisex restroom. Future plans include moving the present access ramp to the front of the building to facilitate improved access.

LSCA funds: $5,240 / Local funds: $16,000

TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENT

Amherst Town Library
This project seeks to upgrade the library's local area network which is on the verge of obsolenscence due to aging existing computers and terminals. The library wishes to provide its patrons with access to the increasingly sophisticated electronic retrieval tools now available. The project will provide a reliable and expanded network that will make Web-based tools and CD-ROM products available to patrons on several workstations. These objectives will be accomplished by purchasing four Pentium computers and by wiring the lower level of the library for connection to the local area network.

LSCA funds; $2,400 / Local funds: $2,400

James A. Tuttle Library, Antrim
The intent of this project is to purchase a computer in order to provide Internet access to the library's patrons. The installation of the computer will be the first step in a future networking arrangement between the Tuttle Library and the G.E.P. Dodge Library in nearby Bennington. In addition, once the computer is installed, the library plans to initiate training sessions for the public.

LSCA funds: $960 / Local funds: $960

Brookline Public Library
The purpose of this project is to purchase two computers in order to provide patrons with easy access to electronic information in both CD-ROM format and via the Internet. One computer will be located in the main reference room and one will be in the children's room. These departments are on separate floors.

LSCA funds: $5,000 / Local funds: $6,000

Samuel H. Wentworth Library, Center Sandwich
The intent of this project is to provide Internet access to the library patrons. This would entail the purchase of two computers, internal modems, cables, and additional wiring. In addition to being used to access the Internet, the computers would also be used for access to CD-ROM products. Through the public library, the students at the Sandwich Central School would also have access to the Internet.

LSCA funds: $3,000 / Local funds: $3,000

Chester Public Library
The purpose of this project is to purchase a more powerful computer that will replace the library's existing outdated New Hampshire Automated Information System computer. The new computer will provide increased access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System, e-mail, and Internet access for the Chester Public Library patrons, the elementary school students, and students at White Pines College.

LSCA funds: $1,000 / Local funds: $1,000

Derry Public Library
This application requests funding to assist in setting up two Internet workstations, one in the adult department and one in the children's department. Each workstation would be equipped with a Pentium 120 MHz computer, Cisco Internet Junction software, and laser jet printer. Through the establishment of these workstations, the library would be able to provide patrons with Internet access, provide Internet training, provide students with after-school access to the Internet, and training and access for town officials.

LSCA funds: $4,593 / Local funds: $5,043

Epsom Public Library
This grant application requests funds to assist in the purchase of hardware and software for an automated cataloging and circulation system. The new system will be primarily for the use of the Librarian, staff, and knowledgeable volunteers.

LSCA funds: $2,500 / Local funds: $2,500

Gilford Public Library
This grant application requests funds to assist in providing expanded electronic access to all library patrons in the community by connecting the Gilford Public Library, the Gilford Elementary School Library, and the Gilford Middle School Library. This will be accomplished by the upgrade and expansion of the existing peer-to-peer network and the CD-ROM equipped PCs at the public library. In addition, four of the PC workstations will be upgraded or replaced with Pentium-based machines which will be connected together using an Ethernet network. The network will then be connected to the schools via fiber optic cable.

LSCA funds: $13,000 / Local funds: $13,000

GMILCS, Inc., c/o Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford
GMILCS, Inc., an eleven member multi-type library consortium serving a population of 240,568 is applying for funds to assist in the purchase of an external tape drive for its IBM RS 6000 computer system. At present the system has only one tape drive to maintain transaction files as well as for system maintenance and backup and will greatly improve system flexibility.

LSCA funds: $2,500 / Local funds: $2,500

Chamberlin Public Library, Greenville
The intent of this project is to purchase a 166 MHz Pentium multimedia computer in order to provide increased public access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System, the Internet, and to allow use of multimedia applications. It will be networked to an existing Pentium and will provide increased efficiency and use by both patrons and staff. The new computer will replace an outdated 386/25 computer.

LSCA funds: $950 / Local funds: $1,000

Hampton Falls Free Library
The purpose of this project is to acquire a computer in order to provide public access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System and the Internet. Patrons can currently only search the library's database for holdings acquired since 1991 on an outdated 386 IBM-clone computer.

LSCA funds: $1,000 / Local funds: $1,000

Hollis Social Library
This grant application requests funds to provide Internet access to the library's OPAC and to the materials database of the Hollis schools along with other catalogs, as available. To accomplish this a direct hardware/software interface between the library's local area network and an Internet service provider will be established. Grant funds will be used to purchase an Internet server (micro-computer), router, 56k frame relay line installation, and to upgrade an existing 486 computer.

LSCA funds; $4,000 / Local funds: $4,000

Jackson Public Library
The purpose of this project is to purchase a faster, more powerful computer to replace the one presently owned by the library. (Last fall the new librarian accepted a donated AT & T 8086 computer along with a 1200 baud modem). The project seeks to improve access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System, expand interlibrary loan, (both borrowing and lending) and point this small public library toward the future.

LSCA funds: $1,000 / Local funds: $1,000

Weeks Memorial Library, Lancaster
This grant application requests funds to assist in the purchase of a dual platform computer, a flat bed scanner, associated software and to provide the cabling necessary for installation. The project will make it posible for patrons to access the Internet and various online databases and mateirals in CD-ROM format. This project will also include staff training and is an initial step in the development of telecommunicaitns/computer network in the North Country.

LSCA funds: $3,750 / Local funds: $3,750

Lincoln Public Library
The objectives of this project are to greatly expand the library's reference service, improve access to library materials and to augment services. The project would retain a consultant to assist in designing a netowkr; purchase two PCs with word processing software; a file server;a bck-up drive; a scanner; printers; and various periphence equipment. In addition, wiring for a local area network will be installed; librry records will be retrospectively converted; the collection will be barcoded; and trining sessions will be conducted on the use of the Internet and the library's OPAC.

LSCA funds: $21,718 / Local funds: $21,718

Manchester City Library
This grant application requests funding to replace all of the library's dumb terminals with networked PC workstations. This arrangement, known as an Intranet, would give patrons a maximum of searching power at any point in the building. Th emeny of searchable optins would include subject/author/title information, CD-ROM resources, Internet searching, and access to a community bulletin board. This project would include the purchase of eleven complete workstations, wiring and Dynix for Windows software.

LSCA funds: $9,465 / Local funds: $80,000

Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford
The intent of this project is to provide a graphical user interface to the GMILCS union catalog. It will also provide access to the library's local area network and a high speed Internet connection through public access workstations. To accomplish this, five network ready Pentium PCs will be purchased and installed in a network configuration.

LSCA funds: $4,250 / Local funds: $4,250

Chesley Memorial Library, Northwood
The objective of this project is to provide library patrons with Internet access. To accomplish this the library will purchase and install a Pentium computer, a 33,600 baud modem and related hardware. Following the installation, library staff will offer introductory information sessions to patrons on a regular basis.

LSCA funds: $1,430 / Local funds: $1,790

Pease Public Library, Plymouth
This grant application seeks funding for the purchase of computers and in-house wiring. It is the intent of the project to provide patrons with an automated catalog and Internet access. It will involve the purchase of four computers and wiring for a local area network and will be part of a future larger automation project.

LSCA funds: $7,000 / Local funds: $7,000

South Hampton Public Library
This grant application seeks funding to assist in providing access to the New Hampshire Automated Information System in a more efficient manner than presently provided. This will be accomplished by the purchase and installation of a 200 MHz Pentium computer, a modem and associated hardware.

LSCA funds: $2,000 / Local funds: $2,000

Thornton Public Library
This project seeks funding to assist in providing free patron access to the Internet along with the purchase of an integrated circulation and catalog system. To attain this objective the library will purchase a 486 computer for the catalog/circulation aspect of the project. A 586 Pentium computer will be acquired for the Internet access portion along with associated hardware and appropriate software.

LSCA funds: $2,603 / Local funds: $7,043

Urban Library Consortium, c/o Derry Public Library
This project proposes to develop a program to link communities in need of state of the art services with those libraries that can best meet their needs. This will be accomplished by a public awareness presentation that will increase communities' understanding of library capabilities, particularly in the area of new technologies, but also including more traditional types of information access. To accomplish the project's objectives funds are requested to assist in the purchase of the following equipment: laptop portable computer system (Pentium 20 MHz), modem, color monitor, associated hardware, multimedia, and necessary application software.

LSCA funds: $10,420 / Local funds: $12,705

Webster Free Library
The objective of this project is to offer the best variety of information sources to the library's patrons. To accomplish this the project seeks funds to assist in introducing electronic information through an automated library catalog, Internet access, online sources (including NH WORKS), and CD-ROM products. The project will require the purchase and installation of a file server, three computer workstations (2 public, 1 staff), Ethernet equipment, associated hardware and appropriate software.

LSCA funds: $8,000 / Local funds: $13,130

New Hampshire Automated Information System
This project will provide technological enhancement to the New Hampshire Automated Information System through the purchase and installation of an uninterrupted Power Supply at the server site at the State Library. This will, in case of power failure, give network computers one-half hour before they have to shut down. They will then be allowed to shut down without causing damage to the equipment.

LSCA funds: $8,000 / Local funds: $8,000

New Hampshire State Library, Concord
The purpose of this project is to provide easy and convenient access to a wide variety of information by improving patron access to the Internet. It will also provide remote access to Webster, the World Wide Web site for New Hampshire state government information.

LSCA funds: $15,000 / State funds: $8,000

New Hampshire State Library, Concord
This project will provide funding required for the administrative costs of projects and activities under Titles I, II, and III. Funds will be used to purchase supplies and equipment and for postage and telephone service used in the administration of the funds. Funds will also be used for inspection of project sites, consultation, and general assistance in ensuring compliance with the provisions of LSCA.

LSCA funds: $5,527 / Local funds: $10,500