Checks are not Enrich Iowa payments for FY03

Checks are currently being received by public and non-public libraries. These checks are not the Enrich Iowa money for FY03. This payment is most of what was withheld from your Enrich Iowa payment in November. The checks represent the balance of Open Access and Access Plus funds appropriated by the Iowa General Assembly for fiscal year 2002. (July 1, 2001--June 30, 2002)

The Iowa General Assembly originally appropriated $880,000.00 to the Open Access and Access Plus segments of the Enrich Iowa program for FY 2002. Due to economic uncertainty and talks of possible budget cuts in November 2001, the State Library of Iowa determined it was not practical to fully distribute the $880,000.00 to Iowa libraries at that time. Eighty-five percent of the total funds appropriated were distributed to qualifying libraries in November, with the remaining 15% held in reserve for possible budget cuts. Funding amounts were based on Open Access and Access Plus transactions in FY 2001.

Possible budget cuts became reality in November 2001 and March 2002. Total budget cuts to the 2002 Open Access and Access Plus segments of the Enrich Iowa program were 11%. The $34,715.00 currently being distributed represents the balance of the funds held in reserve after the budget cuts. Only those libraries that were owed $5.00 or more will receive a check.

Please contact the State Library at 1-800-248-4483 if you have questions.