N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-11.6

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 15:21-11.6 - Project criteria

(a) All applications shall meet the requirements and criteria of this subchapter. Exceptions may be allowed. Those interested in applying for possible exceptions must request an interview and present a written rationale to the State Librarian. Exceptions will be considered if they fulfill the purposes of the proposed or awarded grant more reasonably or efficiently. The State Librarian will present the request to the Public Library Construction Advisory Board for final approval.

(b) The applicant shall be in possession of a fee simple title or such other estate or interest in the site, including access thereto, as is sufficient to assure undisturbed use and possession of the facilities for not less than 20 years. Ownership of site by the applicant includes ownership of the land by the municipality(ies) of the applicant or the county(ies) in the case of a county or regional library application, provided that such land has been formerly dedicated to library use.

(c) The applicant shall have local matching funds for the project (the difference between project costs and the potential grant award) which equal 300 percent of the grant amount before final approval can be given. Within three months following notification of eligibility for a grant award, evidence shall be submitted by the applicant that funds have been appropriated or bonds or debt have been authorized for financing of the project. Such evidence shall include copies of the ordinance of appropriation passed on final reading and approved.

(d) Floor space is meant to include total square footage of space available for public library purposes including outer walls, areas provided for mechanical equipment and maintenance requirements and storage. These areas shall have heat, light and ventilation and square footage commensurate with their purposes.

(e) The estimated population for 10 years after the year in which application is made shall be used to determine the population base of the area served by the applicant library. For areas experiencing a population decline, the population estimate of the New Jersey Department of Labor for one year prior to the fiscal year in which the grant application is made shall be used as the population base.

1. For new construction, the population base as determined above shall be used to compute the minimum project size, as specified in Table A below, required to qualify an applicant for a grant.

Table A
Population to be
Served by the Project	Minimum Square Feet of Floor Space
Under 10,000	3,500 square feet +.7 square feet per capita over
5,000 pop.
10,000-24,999	7,000 square feet +.6 square feet per capita over
10,000 pop.
25,000-49,999	16,000 square feet +.45 square feet per capita
over 25,000 pop.
50,000-99,999	27,250 square feet +.35 square feet per capita
over 50,000 pop.
100,000-199,999	44,750 square feet +.25 square feet per capita
over 100,000 pop.
200,000-499,999	69,750 square feet +.2 square feet per capita
over 200,000 pop.
Over 499,999	129,750 square feet +.15 square feet per capita
over 500,000 pop.

2. If the project is an addition to an existing building, the new construction shall result in total floor space which, when added to the floor space of the existing structure, shall meet the minimum size criteria as shown in Table A in (e)1 above.

3. The percentages in Table B below may be used to reduce the floor space requirements in Table A above for the construction, acquisition or renovation of a central library if branch libraries serve the same population.

Table B
Population Served By
Central Library	Percent of Allowable Reduction
Under 39,999	25
40,000-49,999	26
50,000-59,999	27
60,000-69,999	28
70,000-79,999	29
80,000-89,999	30
90,000-99,999	31
100,000-109,999	32
110,000-119,999	34
120,000-129,999	36
130,000-139,999	38
140,000-149,999	40
150,000-159,999	42
160,000-169,999	44
170,000-179,999	46
180,000-189,999	48
190,000-199,999	50
200,000-209,999	52
210,000-219,999	54
Over 219,999	55

(f) Library buildings and facilities shall be designed in accordance with State and Federal minimum standards for providing barrier-free access for the physically handicapped.

(g) All New Jersey labor laws and regulations shall be adhered to when applicable.

(h) All contracts shall be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder on the basis of open competitive bidding as specified in the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq.

(i) Local and State codes with regard to fire and safety shall be observed. In situations where local fire and safety codes do not apply, recognized State codes shall be observed.

(j) Building plans shall be prepared by an architect licensed by the State of New Jersey.

N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-11.6