In July, the Illinois State Library reported that the federal allotment of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funding for all states had been reduced for federal FY2011 because of budget cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). They also reported that the Illinois State Library filed a waiver request for its Maintenance of Effort level, a level that could have a negative impact on our federal FY2013 allotment.

This week, the Illinois State Library received news that their request for a waiver was granted by IMLS. Illinois, along with almost every other state, has seen a decline in financial aid for libraries. In accordance with federal regulation, IMLS must reduce individual state LSTA allotments by an equivalent percent; however, IMLS can grant a waiver to individual states under the law.