The Public Libraries Fund Program Fact Sheet
Application Process:
The fact sheet and application form (MS Word) will be mailed to every public library according to the timetable below.
Phase-In Reporting Period and Application Timetable:
Year One-FY2007 - completed.
Year Two-FY2008
FY2008 reporting period for funds raised and placed in separate municipal account: January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007.
Application materials will be mailed in August 2007, with the FY2008 State Aid packet.
Completed forms will be due back in October 19, 2007 with the State Aid application forms.
The Board will act at their March 2008 Board meeting, after certification for FY2008 State Aid to Public Libraries is complete.
Year Three-FY2009
FY2009 reporting period for funds raised and placed in separate municipal account: July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008.
Application materials will be mailed in August 2008, with the FY2009 State Aid packet.
Completed forms will be due back in October, 2008 with the State Aid application forms.
The Board will act at their March 2009 Board meeting, after certification for FY2009 State Aid to Public Libraries is complete.
Public Libraries Fund Calculation:
The original intent of the Public Libraries Fund was to have the legislature appropriate an amount sufficient to allow a $0.50 match on every eligible dollar raised for local public libraries, (at least $2,000 and up to $100,000). The FY2007 appropriation of $250,000 is not sufficient to allow for this match. One hundred and eighty-nine libraries reported $5,016,962.44 in eligible funds resulting in a $.04983 on the dollar match.
Equitable distribution of the FY2008 appropriation of $250,000 will be achieved as follows: the appropriation will be divided by the sum of all eligible funds raised and reported by public libraries eligible to receive money under this appropriation. The resulting per dollar match will be distributed amongst the eligible public libraries.
Use of the Public Libraries Fund Awards:
Amounts received from the Public Libraries Fund shall be deposited with the treasurer of the city or town and held as a separate account and shall be expended by the public library without further appropriation but only to enhance library services. Funds from the Public Libraries Fund may not be used as part of the local match for an approved public library project as defined in chapter 78, section 19H or to meet the appropriation requirement as defined in chapter 78, section 19A .
*Subject to change to incorporate language from the final FY2008 budget and from the bill (S.1997) filed for the Public Libraries Fund.