LSTA Grants for Public Libraries: Tuition Assistance

Applications for tuition assistance may be submitted before the start of each semester for reimbursement of that ​semester’s tuition. Awards will be made as long as funds are available.

Grants of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds are available for library staff seeking a Masters degree in Librarianship. Reimbursement of tuition is available for coursework that prepares librarians to develop, expand, deliver, or promote services and programs that are related to the six federal purposes.*

This LSTA program is not intended to provide assistance for generic library coursework. General introductory librarianship courses, and coursework in other areas of librarianship not directly applicable to the six purposes, cannot be reimbursed.

* The six Federal purposes as outlined in LSTA (20 U.S.C. 9141) are:

1. Expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
   
   
2. Developing library services that provide all users with access to information through local, state, regional, national, and international electronic networks;
   
   
3. Providing electronic and other linkages among and between all types of libraries;
   
   
4. Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
   
   
5. Targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills;
   
   
6. Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line.

For additional information on LSTA grants in South Carolina, contact the LSTA Coordinator, Alexandra Sanders, (803) 734-8917.

To submit a comment or complaint about the administration of LSTA grants, please contact the SCSL Director, Leesa Aiken, (803) 734-8668.