Contact Name
Mr. Rodney G. Wagner
Contact Title
Director
State Library Address

Nebraska Library Commission
1200 N Street, Suite 120
The Atrium
Lincoln, NE 68508-2023
United States

Contact Email Address
rod.wagner@nebraska.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
    2019 $1,422,489.00
    2020 $1,455,674.00
    2021 $1,518,108.00
    2022 $1,568,488.00
    2023 $1,751,539.00
    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
    nebraska5yearplan.pdf 315.24 KB
    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
    nebraska5yearevaluation.pdf 582.23 KB
    Rod Wagner, Director, Nebraska Library Commission

    “We continue to bring people and information together by supporting accessible and affordable library services for all Nebraskans. Our priority is to provide digital inclusion and equity, with an emphasis on online access to educational, employment, and wellness resources. Support of library staff is essential to these efforts. We also continue to work with children, teens, and adults to encourage a lifelong love of reading.”
    -Rod Wagner, Director, Nebraska Library Commission
     

    Project Examples

    Nebraska Talking Book and Braille Service logo

    Talking Book and Braille Service
    The Nebraska Library Commission’s (NLC) Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS) provided free audiobooks and audio magazines on digital cartridges and Braille to individuals with conditions or disabilities that limit the use of regular print. Eligible individuals can also download books and magazines from the Braille and Audio Reading Download website administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. TBBS provided over 128,000 books and magazines in audio and in Braille to 2,652 Nebraskans during the project period. The NLC in-house studios recorded and produced audiobooks and audio magazines from either Nebraska authors or regional authors, or about Nebraska and the Great Plains, and made the titles available to patrons.  
    IMLS Funds: $482,055.72 

    Picture alt text: Nebraska Library Commission logo

    Technology Innovation
    The Nebraska Library Commission (NLC) consulted with libraries transitioning their service models during the pandemic and offered webinar and conference sessions to demonstrate technology hardware, software, and programming to library staff throughout the state. Topics included makerspace planning, website design, library programming in mixed reality, design thinking, and teaching technology in the library. The project also hosted websites for 130 libraries and four regional library systems, technology kits for circulation to public libraries, and digital library resources. Through staff expertise, the NLC provided on-going technology advice, courses, consulting on library applications, and instructional design, preparing Nebraska’s libraries to better serve their patrons.   
    IMLS Funds: $214,751.76 
     

    room with laptop stations at Norfolk Public Library

    Safety Updates at the Norfolk Public Library
    Using CARES Act stimulus funds, the Norfolk Public Library purchased 12 laptops for in-house use by patrons. Eight laptops were used to promote digital literacy and workforce-related skills, while the remaining four laptops were used by the general public to facilitate access to resources. Unlike traditional computer stations, the laptops allowed patrons to socially distance themselves in the library to better prevent the spread of COVID-19. The library also purchased a free-standing hand sanitizing station that was installed by the front doors of the library. These investments increased health safety measures for library patrons and staff.  
    IMLS Funds: $10,790 

    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: All Nebraskans will benefit from opportunities for lifelong learning, personal and collective growth, self-awareness, and community connections delivered through library programs and services.  

    • Projects include:  
      • Reference and interlibrary loan services  
      • Nebraska Memories (historic collections)  
      • Digital documents   
      • Nebraska Publications Clearinghouse  
      • OverDrive Libraries Consortium (Nebraska eReads)  
      • NebraskAccess (statewide digital resources)  
      • Talking Book and Braille Service    
      • Nebraska Libraries on the Web (website hosting)  
      • Solutions to address Nebraska’s unserved and underserved populations  
      • Nebraska Center for the Book  

    Goal 2: Library staff and supporters will have the tools and skills to provide and sustain needed programs and services to their target audiences.   

    • Projects include:  
      • Library improvement through consultation and training  
      • Interlibrary loan and reference service  
      • Technology innovation  
      • Statewide library improvement services  
      • Library data services  
      • Public Library Accreditation Guidelines  
      • NCompass Live (weekly online program for libraries)  
      • Technology training and support  
      • Library broadband utilization and support  
      • E-Rate consultation and support  
      • Pioneer Consortium and library automation development  
      • Library workforce education and training  
      • Trustee training  
      • Civic engagement  
      • Library internships  
      • Partnership development  

    Goal 3: The Nebraska Library Commission promotes library services statewide and collaborates with libraries to effectively market LSTA programs and demonstrate their value to the community.   

    • Projects include:  
      • Local and statewide LSTA marketing planning and delivery  

    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.