Requirements for the receipt of payment under the program of state grants to public libraries

libraries The State Library will provide public libraries with an Annual Statistical Report Form and Application for Payment of State Grant by July 15 each year. Any library participating in the program of state grants to public libraries may claim and be eligible to receive a state grant if they meet the following requirements: (a) Files a Public Library Annual Statistical Report and Application for Payment of a State Grant with the State Library Board no later than November 15 of each year. Such report shall contain a certification page to be signed by the library director. The library director will certify that the library meets the following conditions: (1) Participates in the Connecticard program, as specified in Connecticut General Statutes 11-31a and 11-31b; (2) Provides access to library materials without charging individuals residing in the town for borrowers cards; (3) Provides equal access to library service for all individuals and does not discriminate upon the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, handicap or place of residence in the town in which the library is located or the contract library is located; (4) Certifies that the state grant will be used for general library purposes as defined in Connecticut General Statutes 11-24a, as amended. (5) Certifies that the public library's annual tax levy or appropriation has not been reduced to an amount that is less than the average amount levied or appropriated for the library for the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the state grant payment is to be made. If a public library has extenuating reasons for an unusually high or low expenditure as compared with the other three years, the library may request, in writing, to the State Library Board, an exception. (b) The Public Library Annual Statistical Report form shall request information concerning local library governance, hours of service, type of facilities, library policies, resources, programs and services available, measurement of levels of service provided, personnel and fiscal information concerning library receipts and expenditures. Such report must be fully completed by a duly authorized library agent. (c) Public libraries wishing to receive a state grant must file with the Board, certification and documentation that the library has been legally established in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 11-20. (d) State grant funds should be expended within two (2) years of receipt of such funds. If the funds are not expended in that period, the library shall submit in writing to the Board a plan detailing how unexpended funds will be used. Such plan should specify the amount of unexpended funds to be carried over, the purposes for which they will be used and a proposed timetable for their expenditure.