Section 3025.40  Talking Book Centers

a)         The geographic boundaries of a TBC shall be those boundaries approved by the State Librarian.  In setting TBC boundaries, the State Librarian shall place primary importance on the statewide implication of resource sharing, the efficient use of public funds, the impact on affected eligible patrons, and the impact on services provided by the affected TBC.

b)         To qualify for an annual grant as a TBC, the applicant entity shall be jointly designated by the Illinois State Library and the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for such purpose.  An annual contract with the State Library shall be executed that specifies the objectives and budget for the service.  The application shall consist of:

1)         A statement on the proposed use of the grant for which application is being made that shall show how grant funds will be used to expand TBC services to eligible patrons.  Grant funds may be used for staff, materials, equipment and services.

2)         A report on the use of the previous year's grant, if a grant was received, that shall show how the grant was used, and an evaluation detailing the impact of the program.

3)         A certification stating that:

A)        the grant funds will be kept in a separate account;

B)        local funding for library service will not diminish as a result of the program;

C)        the library will submit quarterly financial and programmatic reports to the Illinois State Library on October 30, January 30, April 30 and July 30 of each year covering the use of the funds.

c)         Funds allocated for statewide services under this program are awarded in the form of grants to units of government that are exempt from the Illinois Procurement Code.

d)        The State Library will maintain an updated list of TBCs on its Web site.

(Source:  Amended at 29 Ill. Reg. 8202, effective June 1, 2005)