121.00.08 Ark. Code R. 001

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

Rule 121.00.08-001 - Distribution of General Improvement Fund Grants

Rules and Regulations

The mission of the Arkansas State Library is to serve as the information resource center for state agencies, legislators and legislative staffs, to provide guidance and support for the development of local public libraries and library services, and to provide the resources, services, and leadership necessary to meet the educational, informational and cultural needs of the citizens of Arkansas.

Section 1 - Regulatory Authority

1.01 These rules shall be known as Arkansas State Library General Improvement Fund Grant Rules and Regulations.

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.

Section 2 - Purpose

2.01 It is the purpose of these rules to formalize a process and set reasonable guidelines to make assistance available to address the needs of public libraries and literacy councils in the state of Arkansas. These rules are specifically for the purpose of establishing standards for distributing available General Improvement Funds administered by the Arkansas State Library.

Section 3 - 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 For the purposes of these rules and regulations the applying institution must be a "literacy council" located in Arkansas which is recognized by Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc. (ALC) and those councils which have been determined by the Arkansas State Library to be functioning as a "literacy council".

3.03 ASL refers to the Arkansas State Library

3.04 ALC refers to Arkansas Literacy Councils, Inc.

3.05 GIF refers to General Improvement Fund

Section 4 - Focus Area

4.01 To aid Arkansas public libraries and literacy councils in funding technology, equipment, books, supplies, construction, renovation/repair/improvement, and operating expenses.

4.02 Priorities may be designated by the State Library Board and/or ASL based on regulatory authority found in Arkansas Code 13-2-205 and 13-2-207.

Section 5 - Eligibility

5.01 Public libraries and literacy councils wishing to be considered for funding must complete a grant application supplied by ASL. Grant applications will be evaluated and scored on criteria developed by ASL and/or the ASL Board. These criteria will be outlined in the guidelines.

Section 6 - Administration

6.01 The General Improvement Funds will be administered by the ASL Board.

Section 7 - Guidelines

7.01 ASL will develop guidelines for each Focus Area in Section 4.01 listed above. Guidelines will accompany all application(s) forms to interested public libraries and literacy councils upon request.

Section 8 - Application

8.01 ASL will develop application(s) forms to be completed by all interested public libraries and literacy councils. Application forms must be completed and submitted by deadline designated by ASL.

8.02 ASL will develop an application process which will be made available to all applicants.

Section 9 - Distribution of Funds

9.01 The ASL Board will budget and distribute General Improvement funds according to the following:

1. ASL and/or the ASL Board will develop funding priorities and amounts for each Focus Area to be included in the Guidelines and Application(s) Forms.

2. ASL and/or the ASL Board reserves the right to determine funding priorities and amounts based on the needs of public libraries and literacy councils.

121.00.08 Ark. Code R. 001

11/18/2008