Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 38, September 20, 2024
a) For
projects with a total cost equal to or greater than $75,000, an architect or
engineer licensed to practice in Illinois is required. The selection of an
architect-engineer shall be in accordance with the Local Government
Professional Services Selection Act [50 ILCS 510
]. Public libraries are allowed to choose the architect and engineer for their
public library construction projects. No project may be disapproved by the
State Librarian solely due to a public library's selection of an architect or
engineer as stipulated in this subsection.
b) To qualify for and be eligible for a
Public Library Construction Act grant, public libraries shall apply to the
State Librarian for public library construction project grants on the forms
prepared and made available for this purpose. The grant application must
include these components:
1) A service plan
statement of no more than two pages that states:
A) How the project addresses one or more of
the five levels of priority described in Section 15-30 of the Act.
B) The necessity for the proposed
project.
C) Plans to meet Serving
Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois
Public Libraries (current version), incorporated by reference in Section
3035.115(a).
D) A description of the project's potential
contribution to the improvement of library services within the library's area
of service and in any other portions of the State.
E) An affirmative statement that the
applicant and its employees do not have any conflicts of interest or apparent
conflicts of interest that may impair the fairness and impartiality of the
grant process.
F) Pursuant to
75 ILCS
10/3, the applicant must certify that it has adopted
either the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights that indicates
materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal
disapproval or provide a written policy, adopted by the library's board of
trustees, that indicates the applicant will protect the intellectual freedom of
the library user and shall prevent censorship of its library materials,
ensuring that items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely
because individuals or groups object to the material. The applicant shall
certify that for grants made under this Section on or after January 1, 2024,
and upon request of the State Librarian, the library agrees to provide the
Illinois State Library with any final decision for the reconsideration of
library materials during the term of the grant award.
2) A public library facilities plan with the
following components:
A) An examination of
the present and future public library facility needs of present and anticipated
public library programming. Library buildings are to be planned for 20-year
population projection (for new construction, conversions, and additions to
buildings).
B) A site analysis,
space needs assessment, and project design.
C) How the library facility will provide
access for the physically disabled, as required in the Illinois Capital
Development Board's Illinois Accessibility Code (71 Ill. Adm. Code 400), and
shall display the symbol of accessibility.
3) Supporting Documentation
A) A letter from the Illinois Historic
Preservation Office evidencing compliance with the Illinois State Agency
Historic Resources Preservation Act [20 ILCS 3420
].
B) For new construction,
additions, and projects involving evacuation of soil:
i) Documentation stating whether the project
site is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (found at the Illinois State
Water Survey's Illinois Floodplain Map website,
http://www.illinoisfloodmaps.org/).
If the project site is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicant
shall submit an assurance letter from the Office of Water Resources of the
Department of Natural Resources stating that the project meets the requirements
of Executive Order 2006-5 regarding flood damages.
ii) A subsurface soil analysis by a soils
engineer and environmental site assessment, if applicable.
iii) A site assessment by a licensed
environmental/hazardous materials consultant to determine the existence of
asbestos and/or lead paint. This assurance does not apply to new buildings
unless demolition of existing buildings (other than residences) is
necessary.
C)
Documentation that a deed of ownership or proof of long-term occupancy (20-year
minimum) is or will be available to the public library. The deed or lease
agreement shall include a legal description of the affected real estate. The
building must remain in use as a public library facility for not less than 20
years after its construction unless other use is approved by the State
Librarian.
D) Funding sources and
cost estimates, including the availability of local financial resources,
current revenues, fund balances, and unused bonding capacity, and a fiscal plan
for meeting present and anticipated debt service obligations.
E) A timeline of major events, including
dates of the letting of bids, groundbreaking, substantial completion,
occupancy, and dedication.
F) A
maintenance plan and schedule that contains necessary assurances that new,
renovated, and existing facilities are being or will be properly
maintained.
c)
Each public library that is determined to be eligible shall annually update its
public library facilities plan and submit the revised plan to the State
Librarian for approval.
d) Eligible
libraries are qualified for a library construction project grant but are not
guaranteed receipt of a grant.
e)
Grant applications are subject to the conditions stipulated in Section
3035.140.
f) In Fiscal Year 2013 and in subsequent
fiscal years, grant applications are due on April 15 prior to the fiscal year
in which a grant award will be made. In the case of a disaster described in
Section 3035.525(a)(1),
a library may submit an application for a Public Library Construction Act grant
at any time.
g) In all projects in
which the acquisition of property is pending as permitted in Section
3035.565(c),
supporting documentation related to the project site shall be provided before a
grant award is made.
