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Frequently Asked Questions about Enrich Iowa, FY12

 

What does Enrich Iowa include?


Enrich Iowa includes Direct State Aid, Open Access, and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement. Public libraries may participate in all three components of Enrich Iowa. Other types of libraries may only participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.

What is the Direct State Aid component of Enrich Iowa?


Direct State Aid provides financial support to public libraries from State of Iowa funds.  It is carefully designed to:

•    Improve public library service in Iowa by providing incentives
•    Reduce inequities in access to information for Iowa residents
•    Ensure local discretion in the use of resources
•    Enhance, not replace local funding
•    Include recognized and adopted library standards with graduated payment levels

Direct State Aid moves library service in Iowa closer to the ideal envisioned by library customers, librarians and governmental officials:  Each Iowan will have equal access to information and ideas in order to participate knowledgeably and productively in a democratic society and to lead an enriched life through lifelong learning.
(Unified Plan for Library Service in Iowa, 1994)

Is my library eligible to receive Direct State Aid funds this year?


To receive Direct State Aid for FY12 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012):

•    The library must have been established two full years, or on or before July 1, 2009 in accord with the Code of Iowa.  A copy of the library’s most recent ordinance or other legal documentation establishing it as a public library must be on file with Iowa Library Services.
•    The library must participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.
•    The library has an Internet Use Policy (IUP) in place. (Applies only to libraries providing access to the Internet for staff or library customers.)
•    A Public Library General Information Survey (“annual survey”) was submitted to Iowa Library Services by December 1, 2010.
•    The library meets the standards requirements of Tier 1, 2 or 3 of the Direct State Aid program.
•    By July 31, 2011 file the Direct State Aid Final Report for FY11.
•    Return a signed Enrich Iowa Letter of Agreement for public libraries.  (postmarked by June 17, 2011 and received by Iowa Library Services by 4:30 p.m. June 24, 2011.)

How much money will my library receive from Direct State Aid?


The amount of money each library receives is dependent on the:

•    Amount of Direct State Aid funding
•    Tier achieved by the library
•    Number of libraries that apply for Direct State Aid funds

Iowa Library Services determines the amount each library receives using these steps:

1.  Determine the library’s tier (based on information the library has submitted to Iowa Library Services).  A public library must meet the requirements of at least Tier 1 to be a participant. 
2.  Apply the tier formula to determine the amount the library would receive if Direct State Aid were fully funded.
3.  Multiply the library’s full funding amount by the percentage of Direct State Aid funding available.

How will the money be divided?


Direct State Aid is tied to the achievement of certain public library standards in In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010.  The three-part funding formula includes:

•    Base amount ($1,000, $2,000 or $3,000) dependent on compliance with three tiers of standards.
•    Per capita amount ($0.20, $0.40 or $0.60) dependent on compliance with three tiers of standards.  Certified population figures from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office are used.
•    Three percent (3%) of the amount of funding received by the library in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.  The percentage is the same for all tiers.

See below for a detailed description of requirements for Tiers 1, 2 and 3. 

How did Iowa Library Services determine my library’s tier?


To determine your library’s tier, Iowa Library Services used the most recent accreditation report with information provided by your library in the Public Library General Information Survey (“annual survey”).

For questions about your library’s tier level, contact Scott Dermont at Iowa Library Services, 1112 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-7573, 800-248-4483, e-mail scott.dermont@lib.state.ia.us

What if my library does not meet the requirements of any tier?


If a public library does not meet the requirements of at least Tier 1, the library is not eligible to receive Direct State Aid.  However, the library may still participate in Open Access and Access Plus.  Effective July 1, 2006, a public library established on or after this date must be in operation for two years and must meet Direct State Aid Tier 1 requirements in order to participate in Open Access.

Who has the authority to sign the Letter of Agreement?


The Letter of Agreement must be signed by the library director or other signatory authority, such as the Board President.

Are there any restrictions on the use of Direct State Aid funding?


Each local public library determines how to use Direct State Aid funding.  Direct State Aid funding:

•    Must be used to improve library service
•    Must be expended by June 30, 2012
•    Must supplement, not replace, any other funding received by the library

Will my library have to amend the budget?


If Direct State Aid funds are unexpected revenue, your library will have to amend its budget.  Unexpected revenue cannot be spent unless the budget is amended to include this additional income.  The city clerk or city budget manager should be consulted to determine the date when the library’s amendment must be submitted for inclusion in the city’s amendment hearing.  A legal form for requesting an amendment will be provided by the city.

Most cities routinely amend their budgets and library budget amendments should be included in these amendments.   Amendments must be approved and published by city officials before May 31 of the current fiscal year, the statutory deadline for city budget amendments. 

What financial record keeping is required?


The legislation requires each library to maintain a listing of the Direct State Aid payments received and expenditures made.  This listing will be submitted to Iowa Library Services as part of the library’s final report due July 31, 2012.  Iowa Library Services may ask your library for additional information for auditing purposes.

How much reporting is required for Direct State Aid?

 

Iowa Library Services, the Iowa General Assembly, and the Governor’s Office are interested in knowing the impact of Direct State Aid funding on your community.   

By July 31, 2011, submit the Direct State Aid Annual Report on the use of Direct State Aid funds received in FY11.  The Annual Report includes a listing of the Direct State Aid payments received and expenditures made.

The Direct State Aid Status Report, formerly due in December, is no longer required. 

What does my library have to do to remain eligible for Direct State Aid funds for next year?


To receive Direct State Aid for FY13 (July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013):

•    A copy of the library’s most recent ordinance or other legal documentation establishing it as a public library must be on file Iowa Library Services.
•    A copy of the library’s Internet Use Policy (IUP) as a description of the library’s Internet use efforts must be on file at Iowa Library Services. (This only applies to libraries providing access to the Internet for staff or library customers.)
•    By July 31 of each year submit to Iowa Library Services the Final Report on the use of Direct State Aid funds
•    Submit the FY11 (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011) Public Library General Information Survey (“annual survey”) to Iowa Library Services by December 1, 2011.
•    Participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.
•    Meet the standards requirements of Tier 1, 2 or 3 of the Direct State Aid program.

What are Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement?


•    Open Access provides Iowans with direct access to more library materials and information resources.  Open Access is a reciprocal borrowing program that enables customers from a participating library to go to other participating libraries and directly check out materials they own.  As a result, Iowans have greater access to more library resources, more choices in library service and the convenience of using a library where they work, shop or visit.

•    Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement provides Iowa citizens with equal access to library resources by encouraging and supporting interlibrary loan among all types of libraries.  Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement is a book sharing subsidy program that gives Iowans equal access to library resources by supporting library resource sharing.  Participating libraries agree to loan their materials to other libraries for use by their customers.

Please refer to the Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement Terms of Agreement for details.

May a library participate in Open Access or Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement if it does not participate in Direct State Aid?


It depends on when the library was established.

  • Public libraries established before July 1, 2006 may participate in Open Access and/or Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement without participating in the Direct State Aid program.
  • Libraries established on or after July 1, 2006, must meet Direct State Aid Tier 1 requirements in order to participate in Open Access.

May other types of libraries participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement?


Yes, other types of libraries will continue to be included in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.  Payment for FY12 is based on FY11 transactions for both Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.

When will funding from Enrich Iowa be distributed?


We plan to distribute Direct State Aid, Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement funds by the end of 2011.

Tier 1 Requirements


To be eligible for Tier 1 funding, a public library must:
•    Participate in the Open Access and Access Plus Programs
•    Meet the following standards from In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010.

# Tier 1 Standards
From In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010
1
 The library is established and maintained by local ordinance and state law.
2
 The library is governed by a library board of trustees.
3
 The library board or other authority as defined by ordinance: Hires the library director; Delegates the active management of the library, including personnel administration, to the library director.
4
 The library board has written bylaws that outline its operational procedures. These bylaws are reviewed at least every three years.
5
 The library board meets no fewer than 10 times a year with the library director or designee in attendance.
6
 The library board adopts four required written policies – circulation, collection development, personnel, and Internet use. Required policies are reviewed at least every three years.
10
 The library director provides written financial and statistical reports for review at library board meetings.
11
 The library follows statutory requirements as to fiscal year, audits, and budgeting, and submits annual and other reports as requested by its funding authorities.
12
 The library director conducts an orientation program for new board members.
18
 The library board has legal authority over the library's budget and over all gifts, bequests, and donations.
19
 The library board adopts an annual budget.
20
 The library is funded by its city on a permanent basis.
22
 The library has a permanent, paid director who is certified at a required level.
30
 The library determines its total annual circulation of library materials.
37
 The library provides reference and readers’ advisory service to residents of all ages. Services are provided in person, by telephone, or electronically, during all hours the library is open.
40
 The library offers public access Internet computer(s) and staff trained in their use. Public access computers are located in a public area and designated for public use.
41
 The library counts the total number of uses of Internet computers in the library.
47
 The library provides a summer reading program for children they serve, or cooperates with other libraries or agencies to provide the program.
58
 The library has a telephone with the number listed in the local phone book.
59
 The library has an email address.
60
 The library has a catalog of its holdings easily accessible to users.
61
 Library hours are posted and fixed based on users' and potential users' available time.
68
 The library provides a book return available to the public 24/7. It is recommended that a book return that is attached to the library or inside the building is fire retardant.
69
 The library determines the number of people who come into the library each year. (Also known as door count)

Tier 1 Funding


For Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012), there is $610,916 for Direct State Aid which is approximately 21% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula.  Therefore, libraries will receive approximately 21% of the amount they would receive with the formula.

Base amount of $1000 and
$0.20 per capita and
.03 X the amount of funding received by the library in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.

Tier 1 Example:  Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6000 of county funding last fiscal year.  The library complies with Tier 1 requirements.  The formula is:

$1000 - base amount
100 - $.20 X 500 population
180 - .03 X $6000 county funding   
$1280 - Direct state aid at full funding
X  .21 - Approximate percentage of funding available for FY12   

$268 - Approximate direct state aid in FY12

Tier 2 Requirements


To be eligible for Tier 2 funding, a public library must:
•    Meet all Tier 1 requirements;
•    Meet the following standards from In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010.

# Tier 2 Standards
From In Service to Iowa: Standards, 5th edition, 2010
7 The library’s adopted circulation policy is consistent with the principles of the right to privacy and the Code of Iowa .
8
 The library’s adopted collection development policy is consistent with principles of intellectual freedom as found in such documents as the U.S. Constitution, the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Manual, and the Iowa Library Association Intellectual Freedom Resource Guide.
13 The library director shares information with the board about the following laws that affect library operations.
14 The library keeps its borrowers’ registrations up-to-date. Inactive registration records are removed at least every three years.
23 The library employs paid staff consistent with the table on page 12 of "In Service to Iowa."
24 The library board adopts written job descriptions that include educational and experience requirements and has a written salary range for each position.
31 The library allocates a percentage of its total operating funds for purchasing materials for the library’s collection.
38 The library provides interlibrary loan services to customers of all ages. The library submits its holdings information to shared databases (such as OCLC or SILO) and participates as a lender and a borrower.
48 The library provides free programming for library customers or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming.
56 The library promotes its collections and services by using a variety of approaches to publicity.
62 Minimum days and hours of service are consistent with the table on page 21 of "In Service to Iowa."
70 The library has allocated space for child and family use with all materials readily available and provides furniture designed for children's use.

Tier 2 Funding


For Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012), there is $610,916 for Direct State Aid which is approximately 21% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula.  Therefore, libraries will receive approximately 21% of the amount they would receive with the formula.

Base amount of $2000 and
$0.40 per capita and
.03 X the amount of funding the library received in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.

Tier 2 Example: Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6000 of county funding last fiscal year.  The library complies with Tier 2 requirements.  The formula is:

$2000 - base amount
200 - $.40 X 500 population
180 - .03 X $6000 county funding
$2380 - Direct state aid at full funding
X  .21 - Approximate percentage of funding available for FY12

$500 - Approximate direct state aid in FY12

Tier 3 Requirements

 

To be eligible for Tier 3 funding, a public library must be fully accredited by Iowa Library Services.

To Achieve Accreditation, a Library Must:

  • Meet all standards marked as Tier 1-3 at the “Minimum required to meet standard” level or better where applicable

  • Meet 16 of the remaining 33 standards

  • Submit the application form to Iowa Library Services by the posted due date of the reporting year, usually the last day in February

Accreditation certificates are issued by Iowa Library Services in June of each year. Accreditation is valid for three years.

Tier 3 and remaining standards are listed below

 

#
 Tier 3 Standards
From In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010
15 All members of the library board of trustees participate in continuing education each year.
16
 The library has a written plan.
25
 The library has a planned orientation program for all new employees.
26 The library director’s performance is evaluated by the board at least annually.
32
 Every item in the library's collection is evaluated for retention, replacement, or withdrawal on a regular basis to determine its usefulness according to the library's collection development policy.
33
 The library purchases or adds materials at regular intervals throughout the year to insure a steady flow of new materials.
34 The library determines collection specific turnover rates.
35 The library makes available the local, county, and/or regional newspaper.
42
 The library maintains a current Website or similar online presence.
71 The library building must meet the state definition of accessibility.
# Non-Tier Standards
From In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 5th edition, 2010
9 The library board has written policies, as deemed appropriate for the library, and reviews them at least every three years. All policies are available to all staff members and for public inspection.
17 The library director informs the board of pending library legislation on the local, state, and national levels to enable board members and staff to participate in the legislative process.
21 The library receives permanent and equitable funding for services to rural residents from the county (if not the establishing jurisdiction). This standard does not apply to city libraries in counties where there is a county library.
27 Other library employees are evaluated annually by the director or supervisor.
28 The library allows the director and staff at all levels to participate in continuing education opportunities during their work time.
29 The library provides funding to enable the director and/or staff to join library professional organizations, attend library related conferences, or take advantage of CE opportunities.
36 The library provides materials in formats appropriate to the needs of special population groups found in the community. 
39 The library provides trained staff who are knowledgeable about reference and readers’ advisory print and electronic resources and who are able to assist customers of all ages during all open hours.
43 The library budgets for computer replacement on a regular basis.
44 The library sets aside a separate computer location for use by children and/or young adults.
45 The library provides computer and/or Internet training for its customers. 
46 The library provides wireless Internet access for its customers.
49 The library offers outreach services. Outreach service includes collections and programming provided at other community locations.
50 The library provides children’s programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. 
51 The library provides young adult programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. 
52 The library provides adult programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming.
53 The library collaborates with other organizations, including agencies that serve special populations, to improve library service.
54 The library accepts requests for reserves for library materials from cardholders of all ages in person, by telephone, or electronically (includes e-mail).
55 The library makes reasonable accommodations in order to provide access to its collections and services to persons with disabilities, and meets relevant requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
57 The library develops good community relations by regularly communicating with elected officials, business leaders, and civic organizations.
63 The library is open on Sundays.
64 Residents of the community have free access to tax-supported public library services.
65 All the library’s services are available when the library is open.
66 The library provides the necessary equipment to use any audiovisual materials in the library’s collection.
67 The library provides directional signs within the library.
72 The building has public meeting space available for library programming and for use by other community groups. The meeting space should be a separate room to meet this standard.
73 The library provides adequate and convenient parking to the library’s customers on or adjacent to the library’s site. One parking space is available for every 500 square feet of building.
74 The library provides adequate handicapped accessible parking spaces in compliance with the table found on page 23 of "In Service to Iowa."
75 The outside of the building is well lit and is identified with highly visible signs.
76 The library has proper temperature and humidity control throughout the year.
77 The library provides adequate public reader seating space.
78 The library provides adequate space for the staff to work in a non-public area.
79 To meet this standard, the assessment should be less than five years old.

Tier 3 Funding


For Fiscal Year 2012 (July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012), there is $610,916 for Direct State Aid which is approximately 21% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula.  Therefore, libraries will receive approximately 21% of the amount they would receive with the formula.

Base amount of $3000 and
$0.60 per capita and
.03 X the amount of funding the library received in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.

Tier 3 Example: Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6000 of county funding last fiscal year.  The library complies with Tier 3 requirements.  The formula includes:

$3000 - base amount
300 - $.60 X 500 population
180 - .03 X $6000 county funding
$3480 - Direct state aid at full funding
X  .21 - Approximate percentage of funding available for FY12

$731 - Approximate direct state aid in FY12





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Scott Dermont — last modified Feb 09, 2012 10:35 AM