In September and October 1998, the New Hampshire State Library Advisory Council approved the recommendations of the State Librarian and the LSTA Coordinator that twenty public libraries, seven school libraries, two academic libraries, and two state library association receive funding for projects in accordance with the state's Goals 1 and 2 of the Five-Year Plan under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Grants were awarded in the areas of Information Access through Technology and Information Empowerment through Special Services. These are the first grants to be awarded under the LSTA which is now administered under the Institute for Museum and Library Services.

Projects were approved on the basis of their applications, certifications and assurances, technology plans, resource-sharing efforts, and participation in the Statewide Library Development System. Grant proposals were reviewed by teams of the state library staff, presented to the Advisory Council, and submitted to the Governor and Council for final approval. The following is a brief description of the projects showing the amounts of the grant awards.

Information Access through Technology

• Belmont Public Library
  The purpose of this project is to provide community residents networked electronic materials and services, which will include Internet, access, an online catalog of statewide interlibrary resources, CD-ROM products, and word processing applications with the purchase of a Pentium II processor, peripherals, and a scanner. LSTA funds: $2,790
• Boynton Middle School, New Ipswich
  The objective of this project is to network the school library's seven computers, attach a printer to serve the network, and install a dedicated line for Internet access. The general public will be able to access resources on Webster one evening a week when the public libraries are closed. LSTA funds: $5,866
• Brown Memorial Library, Bradford
  The intent of this project is to provide current information about New Hampshire State government, state laws, and state history to local residents. Access to the Internet will also remove many of the research limitations for library staff and users alike with the purchase of a Pentium II computer. LSTA funds: $2,617
• Campton Public Library
  With the purchase of an Intel Inbusiness Internet Station, and the installation of an 8-port Fast Hub and patch cables, this combined school and public library can begin the process of networking eight computer workstations with Internet access. LSTA funds: $1,010
• Carpenter Memorial Library, Pittsfield
  This project seeks to provide public access to electronic information services with the purchase of a multi-function center fax and networked Pentium II computer. LSTA funds: $1,782
• Chamberlin Public Library, Greenville
  This project will enable the library to provide access to Webster's online resources for library staff, town departments, and the public simultaneously with the purchase of an Allied Telesyn AT-3024TR-15 24-port and cable wiring for five drops. LSTA funds: $4,075
• Concord School District
  The intent of this project is to purchase a web server that will run on Windows NT software to house the Concord School District Virtual Library. The beginning of this virtual library was begun in 1995, and the District is taking steps to provide its students with information provided via the World Wide Web. LSTA funds: $3,000
• Converse Free Library, Lyme
  The objective of this project is to purchase an IntelliFAX machine to request and receive Article Express materials for library users, including students at Lyme School. LSTA funds: $447
• Dummer Public Library
  This project will provide town residents with access to Webster in a public setting for the first time. With the purchase of a Pentium II computer, software, printer, and telecommunication service, the library staff will be able to process interlibrary loan requests in a timely manner. LSTA funds: $2,791
• Elkins Public Library, Canterbury
  The goal of this project is to create a Local Area Network that will offer community residents access to a Union Catalog of holdings of the Elkins Public Library, the Belmont Public Library, and the schools of the Shaker Regional School District. Users will also have access to NHAIS, the Internet, materials in CD-ROM format, and software for various office applications. LSTA funds: $3,000
• Epsom Central School, Epsom
  With the purchase of two Pentium class processors, printers, and software this project will support the educational goals of the curriculum to enable students to compete and succeed in their academic experience. Access to New Hampshire government information and links to other Internet resources on Webster is intended to develop communication between the school and the local community. LSTA funds: $5,050
• Gay-Kimball Library, Troy
  With the addition of a flatbed scanner to the library's public access Internet/multiple use computer, this project will enable the library staff to enter historical documents into the computer for easy retrieval and forwarding. LSTA funds: $300
• Hinsdale Public Library
  This project will provide access to NHAIS for the first time. The ability to process interlibrary loans in a timely manner, to communicate with other libraries via e-mail, and to provide public access to the Internet will further recent town support of projects to benefit the library. LSTA funds: $2,850
• Howe Library, Hanover
  This project will establish a seamless electronic interface for the public between the library's collection and the resources available on the World Wide Web by purchasing Innovative Web Server software. LSTA funds: $3,000
• John Stark Regional High School, Weare
  This project will provide a dedicated workstation with the purchase of a Power Macintosh G3 Minitower that will permit students, staff, faculty, and residents from the towns of Henniker and Weare to search NHAIS and Webster. The school will offer parents and community members evening or Saturday workshops featuring Internet skills and search strategies. LSTA funds: $2,239
• Keene Public Library
  With the purchase of a Pentium II computer with a 56K internal fax/modem, and a scanner, the library will provide local users and non-residents electronic access to the extensive local information collection in the form of pamphlets, old documents, slides and photographs. This will enable the library to preserve old documents and photographs, some of which are in a deteriorating condition. LSTA funds: $2,983
• Lisbon Public Library
  This project will enable the library to eliminate its dependence on Infopath to NHAIS. With two phone lines with 56K capability, IntelliFAX machine, and a handicapped accessible terminal, this rural community library seeks to attract students, young adults, non-readers, and persons with disabilities. LSTA funds: $2,731
• Madison Library
  With the purchase of a fax machine, the library will have access to the State Library's Article Express service. It will also permit faster ILL turnaround time, enhance communication with other libraries, and enable staff to submit publicity to various local media sources more easily. LSTA funds: $350
• Mascenic Regional High School Library, New Ipswich
  This project will include the purchase of four network workstations, a printer, an 8-port portable hub, a VGA-to-TV converter, and software to provide community access to Webster and other Internet services through the school library, during evening hours, as well as classroom accessibility during the school day. LSTA funds: $5,971
• New England College, Henniker
  The objective of this project is to purchase a laser fax machine capable of transmitting information electronically. LSTA funds: $1,995
• New Hampshire College, Manchester
  This project will add scanning capability to the existing resources of New Hampshire College's Business Technology Center to better serve the business community of Central and Southern New Hampshire. The ability to send text and data as e-mail files will enhance the value of the library collection to the general public. LSTA funds: $400
• New Ipswich Library
  This project provides for the purchase of a multifunction scanner/fax/printer/copy machine for sending and receiving documents, and for copying historical and legal documents. To handle anticipated user demands, the library's computer will be upgraded from 66 MHz to 266MHz. LSTA funds: $1,285
• Newbury Public Library
  In order to streamline the document exchange process, the library will purchase a fax machine, giving library users timely access to the State Library's Article Express service. LSTA funds: $360
• North Conway Public Library
  With the purchase of a 56K V.90 fax/modem, two workstations with networked capabilities, and a printer, this project will provide access to Webster and other Internet resources to this small library that serves a resort community, covering an area larger than just where the town is located. Library operations performed by the library staff will reach a higher level of efficiency. LSTA funds: $5,041
• Oscar Foss Memorial Library, Center Barnstead
  Funds will be used to purchase two high speed Pentium II's with fax/modem and network capabilities along with a laser printer. This will enable this small library to connect by ISP to NHAIS to participate in statewide interlibrary loan. Library users will have immediate access to full text articles, and a vast array of Webster and other Internet resources. LSTA funds: $6,000
• Oyster River Cooperative School District, Durham
  The intent of this project is to purchase four multi-function fax/scan/copy machines for each of the school libraries in the school district. The availability of Web-based resources and the ability to share materials electronically among schools, as well as with the towns of Durham and Lee, will facilitate increased cooperation. LSTA funds: $2,996
• Pembroke Town Library
  The purpose of this project is to provide the general public with access to Webster and other Internet resources by purchasing a Pentium processor, a laser printer and software. LSTA funds: $1,950
• Pinkerton Academy, Derry
  The intent of this project is to purchase a ScanJet machine which will enable students and faculty to add images to various documents and presentations, transmit photographs electronically, make transparencies and 35mm slides from books and magazines, to incorporate graphics into newsletters and newspapers, and network projects to other schools statewide. LSTA funds: $800
• Walpole Town Library
  This project will enable the library to meet its goal of maintaining and improving links to electronic resources for the central and branch libraries. Funds will be used to provide a direct connection to Webster and other Internet resources for the North Walpole branch, and to upgrade the computer system at the main library. Two fax machines will be purchased to enhance participation in statewide interlibrary loan and resource sharing, and allow faster turnaround time using the State Library's Article Express service. LSTA funds: $3,655

Information Empowerment through Special Services

• The New Hampshire Library Trustees Association (NHLTA)
  This project will assist the NHLTA in its goal of educating and supporting the library trustees of New Hampshire. Every New Hampshire public library trustee will receive a two-inch loose-leaf binder with an index to all materials relevant to their duties as trustees. The index will include sections for the Trustee Handbook, a set of New Hampshire Library Laws, local bylaws and policies, trustee meeting agendas, minutes, and reports. Each library in the state will receive a copy of a professionally produced one-hour videotape of an "average" trustee meeting that will include agenda preparation, posting, approval of minutes, director's reports, budget approval, public participation, and other items. In addition, funds will be used to broaden the vision of New Hampshire trustees by developing annual conference programs and recruiting well-known speakers on the national trends sweeping the library world. LSTA funds: $10,000
• CHILIS, The Children's Librarians Section of the New Hampshire Library Association
  The intent of this project is to contract the services of New Hampshire artist to design a poster illustrating the location of New Hampshire children's book authors and illustrators around the state. LSTA funds: $500