Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 121 - Arkansas State Library
Rule 121.00.05-001 - RULES GOVERNING DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTANCE

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 121.00.05-001

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024

1.0 REGULATORY AUTHORITY

1.01 These rules shall be known as Arkansas State Library Rules Governing the Distribution of Scholarship Assistance.

1.02 These rules are enacted pursuant to the Arkansas State Library's authority under Act 489, Acts of Arkansas 1979, Arkansas Code Anno. 13-2-201 et seq.

2.0 PURPOSE

2.01 It is the purpose of these rules to formalize a process already in existence and set reasonable guidelines to make scholarship assistance available to every public library in the state of Arkansas to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a master's degree in library and information science as defined in 3.04. These rules are specifically for the purpose of establishing standards for distributing funds available through the state aid to public library fund administered by the Arkansas State Library.

3.0 DEFINITIONS

3.01 For the purpose of these rules and regulations the applying institution must be a "public library" located in Arkansas which is duly established and recognized pursuant to Arkansas Code 13-2-401, 13-2-501, 13-2-901 and those libraries which have been determined by the Arkansas State Library to be functioning as a "public library."

3.02 ASL refers to the Arkansas State Library.

3.03 ALA refers to the American Library Association.

3.04 A master's degree refers to the educational award given by a library school whose program is accredited by the ALA.

3.05 State Aid refers to State Aid to Public Libraries

4.0 FOCUS AREA

4.01 To aid Arkansas public libraries in employing master's degree librarians by providing educational opportunities for public library staff members through traditional, on-campus or distance learning.

5.0 ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

5.01 Scholarship funds will be distributed to a public library that submits scholarship application to the ASL Board. Priority will be given as follows:
1. Public libraries eligible for State Aid whose personnel are employed as library directors.

2. Public libraries eligible for State Aid whose personnel are employed positions other than library director.

3. Public libraries not eligible for State Aid but recognized by the ASL as public libraries.

5.02 The applying institution (or its governing body) must be able to accept and administer the scholarship on behalf of the employee.

5.03 Individuals upon whose behalf the library is applying must meet the following standards:
1. Show evidence of completion of 12 semester hours toward the master's degree.

2. Provide a copy of the agreement with the public library concerning employment in a public library for at least one year after completion of the master's degree.

3. Furnish official transcript which shows the individual received a minimum course grade (based upon an "A-F" grading scale), of "B", or if applicable, a "Credit" for a credit/no credit course. "Incompletes" do not qualify for reimbursement.

4. Agree to remain employed by a public library in the state of Arkansas for a duration of one year upon completion of degree.

6.0 ADMINISTRATION

6.01 The scholarship will be administered by the ASL Board.

7.0 SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSALS

7.01 The proposals shall include an application from the applicant library. The ASL Board shall review the proposals for approval. Proposals shall be consistent with Arkansas Code and existing ASL rules regarding an ALA accredited library program.

7.02 Funding may include but is not limited to tuition, materials, travel, lodging, and other items associated with educational costs.

8.0 DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS

8.01 The ASL Board will budget and distribute funds appropriated for each biennium from the Arkansas State Legislature according to the following:
1. The total amount of funds to be distributed will be determined by the ASL Board each year at a minimum of 1% of the appropriated State Aid to Public Libraries.

2. Funds may provide as many scholarships as are requested each year. All monies not disbursed shall be returned to the State Aid fund for distribution.

3. Funds may be disbursed to the applicant library at the completion of each semester.

4. Funds will be distributed via scholarship for each individual as identified by the ASL Board in accordance with eligibility. Each scholarship will include a set of assurances and provisions required in the eligibility standards.

8.02 The ASL Board reserves the right to approve and/or deny any scholarship applications.

-- Approved by the State Library Board, August 12, 2005

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas 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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