The State Library of Ohio, in collaboration with the Ohio Preservation Council (OPC), is offering the 2025 Conservation & Preservation Grant to support the preservation of culturally or monetarily valuable items held by libraries. This Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program provides funding for the conservation of a single item or a small, defined collection that contributes to Ohio's historical and artistic record. Suitable formats include analog materials such as books, papers, objects, and artworks. The grant aligns with the goals of the State Library’s Five Year LSTA Plan.
The grant offers up to $4,999 per awarded project. To be eligible, the conserved or preserved items must be significant to the mission and values of the applying library and serve as meaningful cultural artifacts. Participation in an educational workshop is mandatory for application eligibility. Applicants must either attend the workshop scheduled for May 20, 2025, or submit an opt-out form confirming prior attendance at the May 2024 session by the same date.
The May 2025 workshop will be held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual participation. In-person attendance is capped at 50 individuals, with each institution allowed to register up to two participants. Virtual participation is limited to 75 attendees. The sessions will feature expert conservators who will address the material selection process, conservation planning, conservator collaboration, contract and insurance considerations, and treatment documentation. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of items under consideration for conservation.
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025. Projects awarded funding will operate under contracts beginning November 1, 2025, and ending August 31, 2026. The application process includes evaluation based on workshop participation, item significance, preservation planning, and feasibility of the proposed project. Registration for the workshop is now open and will close once capacity is reached.
For more information or specific inquiries, applicants can contact the State Library of Ohio. The library is located at 274 E. First Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201, and can be reached by phone at 614-644-7061. This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the State Library to support the cultural and historical preservation efforts of Ohio’s libraries.
