Ivy Tech Central Indiana library awarded LSTA grant

Ivy Tech Community College Central Indiana has received a $9,930 grant to extend and enhance library services for its students.

The project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library. Ivy Tech's Central Indiana region serves students in Putnam and eight other counties and has library locations at its Greencastle, downtown Indianapolis and Lawrence campuses.

The library currently offers expert instruction on research skills and use of Ivy Tech's extensive online library. Each class session is tailored to the needs of the course, instructor, and students.

The college's library will use the grant funds to purchase hardware and software needed to offer real-time library instruction and reference services from a central location to outlying sites. This insures the students in these locations, as well as students who may have limited mobility or little means to travel to a library location, will have equitable access to library services.

"The goal of this grant is to extend the essential library services that support student success and completion to all of our students, regardless of location," said Erica McFarland, assistant library director for Ivy Tech - Central Indiana.

This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Indiana State Library. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Its mission is to grow and sustain a "Nation of Learners" because life-long learning is essential to a democratic society and individual success. Through its grant making, convenings, research and publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build twenty-first-century skills, and increase civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually.