INFOhio Community

The State Library of Ohio invites libraries to apply for federal grant funds to support collection development and collection-related program initiatives for their communities. The Celebrating Ohio Book Awards & Authors (COBAA) LSTA grant enables libraries to purchase books by Ohio authors as well as books recognized by Ohio-based book award programs, as indicated within the grant’s Book Selection Tool. This unique initiative allows libraries to expand collections and support literacy by connecting Ohio readers to Ohio authors and Ohio book award winners. 

The maximum COBAA grant award is $2,000 per eligible institution. No local matching funds are required. Grant applications must be submitted online via the State Library website by 11:59 pm, January 12, 2025.

“The State Library of Ohio is delighted to announce the return of the COBAA LSTA grant,” said Evan T. Struble, Associate State Librarian for Library Development. “Strong collections are essential to the outstanding services offered by Ohio libraries. This initiative allows libraries to enhance their collections and highlight remarkable Ohio-connected authors and illustrators, all without needing local match funds, which is something the State Library of Ohio is proud to support."

The 2024 COBAA Book List contains over 2,000 eligible books including those nominated and awarded by the Ohio Book Awards, Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award, Floyd’s Pick Book Award, James Cook Book Award, Arnold Adoff Poetry Awards, Dayton Literary Peace Prize, Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, Thurber Prize for American Humor, and Norman A. Sugarman Children's Biography Award. Also included are all Choose to Read Ohio selections to date. The awarded federal funds must be used to purchase titles from the COBAA Book List.   

To facilitate the selection process, an online, COBAA grant specific Book Selection Tool is available to browse and create a list (PDF and/or Excel) of intended purchases. This list must be included/attached with the online application. 

Visit the State Library’s COBAA webpage for more Information, materials, and application. 

Questions may be addressed to Jeff Regensburger, LSTA Coordinator, via LSTA@library.ohio.gov or 614-644-6863.