(d) Eligibility
criteria.
(1) In order to be eligible for
State aid for central library services pursuant to Education Law
§273(1)(b) a public library system shall:
(i) Operate under an approved plan of service
pursuant to the provisions of Education Law §272(1);
(ii) Submit an approvable prior year library
system annual report and current year budget;
(iii) Submit an approvable annual application
for such formula aid;
(iv) Provide
program assurances and information as requested by the commissioner;
(v) Provide that the central library or each
of the two co-central libraries are open at least 55 hours per week including
non-duplicative branch hours;
(vi)
Show evidence of member library input; and
(vii) Assure that library materials acquired
with central library services aid are:
(a)
Owned by the public library system; and
(b) Located in the central library as
designated in the approved plan of service of the system. If two co-central
libraries are designated in such plan, the system shall determine the
proportion of library materials assigned to each.
(2) In order to be eligible for
designation as the central or co-central library, a library shall:
(i) Be designated as the central or
co-central library in the approved plan of service of the public library
system;
(ii) Provide an annual
average of not less than 55 hours per week of service to the public, including
non-duplicative branch hours, and not less than the number of hours each week
required under section
90.2 of this Part;
(iii) Provide in the central library or in
each of the co-central libraries at least two-full time professional positions
financed from other than Federal or State funds, excluding budgeted positions
vacant for more than 24 months;
(iv) Submit an approvable prior year library
annual report;
(v) Participate in
the development and implementation of the public library system's plans for
central library services;
(vi)
Pursuant to Education Law §272(1)(i), abide by maintenance of effort for
central libraries and public library systems;
(vii) Abide by the public library system's
approved free direct access plan; and
(viii) Provide a statement by the board of
trustees of the central library or each of the co-central libraries to the
public library system:
(a) Accepting
designation as the central library or co-central libraries;
(b) Confirming the adequacy of the proposed
central library services plan to meet system wide needs; and
(c) Confirming the commitment of the central
library or co-central libraries to the implementation of such plan.