Section 3035.640  Application for Grant

a)         The geographic boundaries of a TBC, AOC, and MSLA shall be those boundaries approved by the State Librarian.  In setting TBC, AOC, and MSLA 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, AOC, and MSLA.

b)         To qualify for an annual grant as a TBC, AOC, or MSLA, 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 to serve as a TBC, AOC, or MSLA.  An annual contract with the State Library shall be executed that specifies the objectives and budget for the service. The applicants shall provide the information stipulated in Section 3035.135(d). The application shall also contain:

1)         A statement on the proposed use of the grant for which application is being made that shall detail how grant funds will be used to expand TBC, AOC, and MSLA 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 detail 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 shall submit reports, in accordance with Section 3035.140(b), on the use of grant funds as required by the Illinois State Library.  The applicant must certify, pursuant to 75 ILCS 10/3, that the applicant has adopted either the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or provide a written policy that indicates the applicant will protect the intellectual freedom of the library user and shall prevent censorship of its library materials, ensuring that items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely because individuals or groups object to the material.  The applicant shall certify that for grants made under this Section on or after January 1, 2024, and upon request of the State Librarian, the applicant agrees to provide the Illinois State Library with any final decision for the reconsideration of library materials during the term of the grant award.

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, AOCs, and MSLAs on its website.

(Source:  Amended at 48 Ill. Reg. 948, effective January 1, 2024)