“We will support access to information and lifelong learning through statewide purchases of online library resources and e-materials, facilitating statewide InterLibrary Loan and supporting our Talking Book patrons. We will provide continuing education and library development to academic, special, school and public libraries in North Dakota.” 

-- Mary Soucie, State Librarian, North Dakota State Library 
 

Project Examples

Talking Book Services
The North Dakota State Library provided talking books to 1,516 North Dakota citizens who are vision impaired or unable to hold a book. Staff from Talking Book Services provide readers’ advisory to help patrons identify books of interest, and then the books are mailed at no cost to the patron. Over 54,000 materials circulated during the project period. A volunteer program also recorded North Dakota books and magazines to make them newly available in the talking books collection. Talking Book Services proved to be vitally important to patrons in nursing homes during the pandemic, as other services were limited.  
IMLS Funds: $19,507.64 

 

Statewide Databases
The North Dakota State Library contracts for and makes available databases of online resources for use by all library types, state agencies, and North Dakota residents. Genealogy offerings are heavily used by citizens and restricted to use in library buildings, but all other databases were available statewide. The State Library prioritized school-related resources for students and educators throughout the state. Other resources for language learning, skill-building, and book discovery were available to citizens at any location statewide. During the project period, library users at 70 public libraries, 21 academic libraries and 170 school libraries utilized this statewide service, which addresses equity of access in the state’s large and rural geography.   
IMLS Funds: $245,551.24 

 

Reference and Information Services
Using CARES Act stimulus funds, the North Dakota State Library purchased additional eBooks and digital audiobooks for youth and adults. E-resources were particularly in demand during the pandemic and this statewide effort helped increase access to information in a range of communities. The purchase supported an online consortium with dozens of member libraries in North Dakota, including public, special, and school libraries. During the project period, these e-materials circulated at a rate of over 100 per month.  
IMLS Funds: $63,165 

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: Information Access - The North Dakota State Library enhances access to information by providing libraries, residents, government agencies, and other key partners with access to materials, electronic resources, and professional staff to meet the informational needs of all North Dakotans.   

• Projects include:  
  • Maintain, expand, and promote statewide databases  
  • Provide and expand access to talking books for the visually impaired and physically disabled  
  • Facilitate discussion and guidance on digitization standards  
  • Expand statewide interlibrary loan  
  • Maintain a diverse collection that meets the needs of underserved and unserved communities   
  • Develop new partnerships  
  • Offer professional reference services to library staff, government, and all North Dakotans  

Goal 2: Institutional Capacity and Support - The North Dakota State Library provides services and resources towards advancing and improving the institutional capacity of the state’s library community to meet the demands of the public and support the continued professional development and training of the state’s library workforce.  

• Projects include:  
  • Library development programming and resources to assist libraries in meeting the needs of their patrons and communities  
  • Continuing education and professional development opportunities to librarians and library staff across North Dakota   
  • MLIS grants   
  • IT support to libraries    
  • Statewide cataloging services  
  • Develop relationships with North Dakota’s tribal communities and libraries  
  • Provide outreach support to libraries   
  • Annual statewide summer reading program   

Goal 3: Lifelong Learning - The North Dakota State Library strives to enrich the lives of North Dakotans by offering services and programs that support and promote continued lifelong learning.   

• Projects include:  
  • Digital information services  
  • Facilitate statewide literacy programs  
  • Enhance partnerships with state and local governments  
  • Public outreach activities, such as workshops and events  
  • Provide library and information materials to North Dakota libraries, state agencies, and the public  
  • Share resources among North Dakota libraries  
  • Develop collaborative partnerships with relevant organizations

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
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