OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND IMPROVEMENT

                         PROGRAM REPORTS

                           APRIL 1992

                        LIBRARY PROGRAMS

Library Programs (LP) administers federal support to the nation's
vast network of state, public, and academic libraries by
administering grant programs under the Library Services and
Construction Act (LSCA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA). 
These grants support a wide range of activities including adult
literacy projects, interlibrary resource sharing, research and
demonstration, improved use of technology, construction, and
improving services for individuals with disabilities.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

FY 92 Appropriations - The OERI appropriation for FY 92 provides
$147 million for library programs--$120.5 million of this total
is for state formula grants and the remainder is for
discretionary grants.  For most programs, funding remains the
same as in FY 91; below are the changes:

-    Public Library Construction (LSCA Title II), reduced from
     $18.8 to $16.4 million.

-    College Library Technology and Cooperation (HEA Title II-D)
     received an additional $2.5 million for a biotechnology
     information education demonstration project.  

Foreign Periodicals (HEA VI) will be administered by the
Department's Center for International Education--not LP as
mentioned in the last program update.  (Contact: Joe Belmonte,
708-8769)

The FY 92 competition under the College Library Technology
Cooperation Grants Program - Biotechnology Education Information
Project was announced in the FEDERAL REGISTER on February 11,
1992.  This project is new in FY 92 and is funded at $2.5
million.  The closing date for applications is April 28, 1992. 
(Contact: Neal Kaske, 219-1315)

Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) Regulations - LP
Public Library Support Staff is preparing the Final Regulations
for the newly reauthorized LSCA after the close of the public
comment period on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, December 3,
1990.  The Department anticipates the publication of the Final
Regulations in March 1992.  (Contact:  Robert Klassen, 219-1303)

FY 92 GRANT AWARD UPDATE

Twenty-eight FY 92 state grant awards have been awarded in the
amount of $49.3 million.  The grants will fund improvements in
public library services (LSCA I) and support for interlibrary
cooperation and the sharing of informational resources among all
types of libraries (LSCA III).  The state plans reflect the many
purposes of LSCA, including significant support for literacy
programs.  (Contact: Robert Klassen, 219-1303)

Public Library Construction Grants (LSCA II) for FY 92 have been
awarded to 18 states in the amount $5.7 million.  The awards
support projects to improve handicapped access, to accommodate
new technologies, and to construct public library buildings. 
(Contact: Robert Klassen, 219-1303)

The announcement of FY 92 grants under the Library Career
Training Program (HEA II-B) is imminent.  Approximately 70 awards
totaling $5 million will be made to colleges and universities to
support graduate fellowships in library and information science
for the school year beginning in fall 1992.  (Contact:  Yvonne
Carter, 219-1320)

PUBLICATIONS

Library Technology Grants Awarded to Support Networking and
Resource-Sharing Activities, FY 91.  (LP 92-4787; free from OERI)

Como ayudar a sus hijos a usar la biblioteca (Spanish translation
of HELPING YOUR CHILD USE THE LIBRARY).   For a free copy write: 
The National Clearinghouse for Bilingual Education, The George
Washington University, 1118 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20037 or call 1-800-321-6223 or 202-467-0867 in Washington,
DC.