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West Virginia

Contact Name: 
Ms. Karen Goff
Contact Title: 
Director/State Librarian
State Library Address: 
West Virginia Library Commission
1900 Kanawha Blvd., East
Charleston, WV 25305-0620
Phone: 
+1 304 558 2041
Fax: 
+1 304 558 2044
Contact Email Address: 

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.

Reports

Karen Goff

“We connect local libraries regionally through consortia that will continue to generate the efficient sharing of materials requested by patrons, and serve as informal conveners through which ideas related to better public service can be shared. Technological advances fuel the anticipated need for statewide staff training.”

-- Karen Goff, Director/State Librarian, West Virginia Library Commission

Project Examples

State Library Network
State Library Network (SLN) enables 92 of the state’s public library systems, a total of 154 facilities, to serve as electronic gateways for their users. State Library Network infrastructure includes eight metropolitan area networks.  Services include email, domain name services, FTP and webpage hosting, PC software/hardware replacement and maintenance, equipment contract support, and data circuit installation and maintenance.  State Library Network infrastructure is essential to operations associated with shared bibliographic, patron and information databases. LSTA funds relieve every library hosted on the SLN from the burden of telecommunications costs. This work is supported by a combination of state and federal funds and coordinated by the West Virginia Library Commission.
IMLS Funds: $200,314.00

Statewide Database Subscriptions
The West Virginia Library Commission subscribes to a package of online databases to enhance collections in academic, public, and school libraries. This project, funded with state and federal funds, adds significantly to library collections. The subscriptions provide access to full text articles from more than 2,000 magazines and newspapers. It enables teachers to plan exciting lessons, students to explore research topics, and parents to cope with “night before” crises. The subscriptions include a test preparation database, which helps users prepare for civil service, career, professional, academic, and basic skills examinations. A careers assistance database assists job seekers with employment searches and resume preparation.
IMLS Funds: $624,846.00

Consulting and Instruction Services
The West Virginia Library Commission's Consulting and Instruction Services project provided a framework for the development and delivery of library services.  It identified strategies to address the wide range of issues facing library services.  Key programs in the framework ensured that all library staff  have training in current library trends and practices. It also addressed the role data plays in proper library planning and operation. This project was critical to the Library Commission's commitment to enhancing library services by expanding the skills of local library directors, staff, and trustees.
IMLS Funds: $150,904.00

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.

View the IMLS funding by state report - West Virginia (PDF 1.04 MB) with additional information about all IMLS funding for this state (FY 2011 – FY 2016).

Five-Year Plan Highlights

Goal 1: Expand Access to Information.

  • Projects include:
    • Learning Express Library and Job & Career Accelerator: Help West Virginia students and adult learners develop and improve the skills they need for academic and career success.
    • Connecting West Virginia: This new program will provide digital library training, one-on-one computer assistance, one-on-one job assistance, and volunteer recruitment.
    • Ensure all libraries hosted on the state library network have the connections, hardware, and software needed.
    • WVInfoDepot.org: Provide statewide access to licensed, full text periodicals and reference resources on a wide variety of topics for no charge to users.
    • Annual Summer Reading Program: Encourages children and families to read for learning and entertainment, and maintain reading skills during school vacations.
    • Literacy Toolkits: This new program will develop resource manuals and toolkits for library staff to implement specific literacy training (digital, health, etc.) each year.
    • Reading West Virginia: An exhibit created to explore, teach, and highlight books about West Virginia.
    • Explore new programs and services to expand access to archival, special, and audio-visual material.
    • Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped: Public library services in alternative formats are delivered to meet the needs of blind, visually impaired, or those with learning disabilities.

Goal 2: Facilitate Collaboration, Leadership, and Innovation in the Library Community.

  • Projects include:
    • Integrated Library System (ILS) Maintenance Sub-Grants: The Library Commission will provide annual sub-grants to maintain the state’s integrated library systems.
    • The Library Commission will aid public library cataloging efforts by coordinating cataloging training and access to OCLC CatExpress for bibliographic records.
    • Library commission consulting services: Assist library staff and boards with training in best practices in library governance, management, and service delivery.
    • Develop and implement training for library staff, library administrators, and trustees.
    • Civic engagement programs: Provide training to public library staff so they are more knowledgeable on volunteer organizations and opportunities in their communities.

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.

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.

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November 19, 2018
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