Alabama Administrative Code
Title 520 - ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE
Chapter 520-2-1 - FEDERAL PUBLIC LIBRARY PROGRAMS FY2012
Section 520-2-1-.04 - Strengthening Information Services
Universal Citation: AL Admin Code R 520-2-1-.04
Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
The purposes of this grant category are to:
(1) promote understanding and respect for or develop resources about diverse cultures,
(2) develop outreach services for persons who are unable to come to the library or have difficulty coming to or using the library,
(3) provide programs and services for the disabled,
(4) provide library materials and programs for the general public, and
(5) provide continuing education and part-time professional training opportunities to public library staff.
(1) Program title: Collection Development. Grants shall be for:
1) programs to promote the use of
library materials; and
2) books,
electronic materials, and sound or video recordings in any area of a collection
that is shown to be inadequate in meeting the informational needs of local
citizens who are in one or more of the following targeted categories:
a) children and youth at risk,
b) older adults,
c) persons with disadvantages,
d) persons who are
institutionalized,
e) persons with
limited literacy or English language skills, and
f) persons in under-served areas.
(a)
Stipulations:
1. In this program title there is a small
library development subprogram and a general subprogram:
(i) Small library development subprogram: A
public library or public library system with a population in its legal service
area of 10,000 or less may apply for one grant under this subprogram if it is
applying for $10,000 or less; or it may apply under the general subprogram for
$10,001 up to $20,000 but it may not apply under both subprograms.
(ii) General subprogram: A public library or
library system with a population in its legal service area of 10,001 or more
may apply for one grant under this subprogram for up to $20,000. A public
library or public library system with a population in its legal service area of
10,000 or less may apply under this subprogram for $10,001 up to $20,000 but it
may not apply under both subprograms
2. Required local match must equal 25% of the
LSTA grant award. Up to 25% of the required local match may come from project
personnel salaries.
3. For the
fiscal year in which the grant contract begins, library materials expenditures
from regular local government appropriations (excluding special matching
appropriations) must be at least equal to the smaller of the following:
(i) The library materials expenditures for
the previous fiscal year from funds appropriated by the local government,
excluding special government cash expenditures used as match in prior LSTA
collection development grants.
(ii)
The average of the library materials expenditures for the three previous fiscal
years from funds appropriated by the local government, excluding special
government cash expenditures used as match in prior LSTA collection development
grants.
4. Project funds
may be used for the following purposes:
1)
programs to promote the use of library materials,
2) library materials,
3) preprocessing expenses,
4) processing packets if these are available
from the vendor and billed with the items ordered, and
5) promotional supplies in English and other
languages. Up to 25% of the total federal and required local matching funds may
be used for programs to promote the use of library materials. Expenses for
promotional programs may include display equipment, display shelving, cork
board, foam board, posters, professional presenters, and other related
items.
5. A public
library system with one or more members applying for grants under this program
may apply for one grant for materials to be placed only in its books-by-mail
collection, bookmobile collection, system-administered public service outlets,
or in member libraries which are not applying under this program.
6. The applicant may focus on one or more
specific areas of the collection that need development. The
applicant must explain how the new library materials in these areas will
benefit the identified targeted users and how the users will be made aware of
the materials.
(2) Program title: Library Vehicles. Grants shall be for library service vehicles for the purposes of 1) providing direct services to patrons and/or 2) transporting library materials between library buildings and between other locations at which patrons will be served. The intent is to increase patrons' access to information.
(a)
Stipulations:
1. An applicant may apply for only one grant
for one vehicle per grant cycle under this program; however, a recipient of an
award under this program may not apply to replace a vehicle acquired under this
program sooner than ten years after the first year of the award for the
vehicle. Extenuating circumstances will be considered by the APLS Executive
Board for earlier replacement (such as accidental destruction of the vehicle
where insurance will not completely cover the cost of a new vehicle).
2. The maximum individual LSTA
grant is $90,000.
3. Required local
match must equal 100% of the LSTA grant award and must be in cash.
4. Project funds may be used for the
following purposes:
1) the acquisition of
bookmobiles, including shelving, handicapped accessibility equipment, air
conditioning, other attached equipment or seating, and technology equipment
(including computers, wireless computer communication equipment, printers, and
pre-developed software); and
2)
library service vans, including redesign, vehicle structural modifications,
re-painting, installation of shelving, handicapped accessibility equipment, air
conditioning, other attached equipment or seating, and technology equipment
(including computers, wireless computer communication equipment, printers, and
pre-developed software). Technology equipment may be for staff or public use. A
mobile computer lab for training the public to use computers and access
information may be acquired.
5. Vehicles shall be used primarily for the
purposes of 1) providing direct services to patrons and/or 2) transporting
library materials between library buildings and between other locations at
which patrons will be served.
6.
The grant application must include the following information:
1) pictures or drawings of the proposed
vehicle;
2) specifications of the
vehicle and its equipment;
3) an
estimate of the number of years in which the vehicle will remain in service;
4) a description of the direct
services to patrons to be provided, if any, including the average number of
hours per week that the vehicle will be used for direct service to patrons;
5) a description of the
transportation of library materials between library buildings and between other
locations at which patrons will be served, if planned;
6) a description of other uses, if any, and
the average number of hours per year that the vehicle will be used for these
other purposes;
7) a description of
the users to be served; and
8)
information about the age, mileage, and condition of any existing vehicle to be
replaced. The applicant shall also provide any other information that may be
required on the application form.
7. Federal and required local matching funds
are not allowable for the following
costs:
1) vehicles used primarily to
transport staff or used primarily for purposes other than providing direct
services to users or transporting materials between library buildings and
between other locations at which patrons will be served;
2) library materials;
3) supplies; and
5) vehicle maintenance and operating
costs.
(3) Program title: Professional Training Grants.
(a)
Definition: To provide
improved service in Alabama's public libraries, the APLS Executive Board
annually awards grants for study leading to a master's degree from a library
school accredited by the American Library Association. These grants are awarded
to Alabama public libraries on behalf of current employees. These grants may be
awarded only when federal funds are available.
(b)
Stipulations:
1. In order to be eligible for a professional
training grant, the applicant must:
(i) be a
citizen of the United States;
(ii)
be an employee of an Alabama public library or APLS;
(iii) have written approval of his or her
library administration and board (on the application form);
(iv) agree to continue to work for a minimum
of nineteen (19) hours per week in an Alabama public library while completing
the program of study.
(v) agree,
after the degree is conferred, to the following terms:
(I) to work for a total of 24 months within a
three-year period in a full-time professional librarian position for one or
more Alabama public libraries or for APLS, provided that funding and positions
are available;
(II) in section (I)
above, the number of hours per week for full-time employment shall be specified
by the individual employer, but in no case shall the number of hours exceed the
maximum hours permitted by law.
(III) if the recipient works less than 24
months within a three-year period as specified in section (I) above, the
recipient shall refund to APLS the amount of education grant funds paid, in
proportion to the amount of time remaining on the 24-month
commitment.
(IV) in the event of
extenuating circumstances for reasons other than personal convenience or other
employment opportunities, the APLS Executive Board may grant a waiver of this
section on a case-by-case basis.
2. Applications must be postmarked by the
first official state business day of April. The LSTA Advisory Council will
review the applications and forward their recommendations to the APLS Executive
Board. The APLS Executive Board will make the final decisions on grants at a
subsequent meeting. Grant applicants will be notified of the Board's decision
no later than ten business days following the meeting.
3. Application must be made on forms supplied
by APLS and must include proof of acceptance at a library school accredited by
the American Library Association.
4. A recipient of a grant must agree that
copies of grades from courses funded by the grant will be supplied to
APLS.
5. Not all courses may be
eligible for reimbursement. The student should send a list of potential courses
to APLS prior to registering for the term
so that a determination can be made regarding reimbursement. Payment for the
courses not eligible for reimbursement will be the responsibility of the
student.
6. Each grant is awarded
for courses to be taken in only one academic year beginning in the fall after
the award has been made, for the fall through the final summer session. For
each subsequent academic year, the student must submit a new application and
current transcript postmarked by the first official state business day of
April. The student must remain in good academic standing for a grant to be
reauthorized. Awards are for tuition as well as for fees which may not be
waived by the student. All other costs, such as for books, fees that may be
waived, insurance and travel are the responsibility of the student. Awards are
for the actual tuition and allowable fees, not to exceed the in-state allowable
charges of the University of Alabama to attend the School of Library and
Information Studies at Tuscaloosa, regardless of the school the student
attends. Within any given semester, payments shall be for not more than 9
credit hours. For a shorter session (such as a summer session) payments shall
be for not more than 3 credit hours. Total credit hours for which tuition and
allowable fees will be awarded shall not exceed 36.
7. Payment of grant funds will be made to the
public library employing the grant recipient after successful completion of the
term as determined by the educational institution. The public library by
contract must agree to disburse the funds to the grant recipient each semester
(or equivalent session) for only the actual cost of the tuition and allowable
fees for the credit hours as stated in the employee's APLS application, not to
exceed the in-state allowable charges of the University of Alabama to attend
the School of Library and Information Studies at Tuscaloosa, regardless of the
school the student attends.
8. The
public library employing a grant recipient must agree to employ the recipient
as a full-time professional librarian upon completion of the degree, provided
that a funded position for which the graduate is qualified is available, that
all state and federal hiring laws and regulations are observed, and that, if
hired, the graduate's work performance meets library requirements.
Rule 520-2-1-.04 was renumbered to 520-2-1-.05 as per certification filed February 2, 2007; effective March 9, 2007. Rule 520-2-1-.05 was renumber to 520-2-1-.04 as per certification filed February 9, 2008. Repealed and New Rule: Filed March 22, 2010; effective April 26, 2010.
Author: Nancy C. Pack, Director
Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §41-8-(1-10). Title 20, U.S. Code, Sections 9121-9163, Museum and Library Services Act of 1996.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Alabama may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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