PART 1. TEXAS STATE LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 2. GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
SUBCHAPTER C. GRANT POLICIES
The Texas State Library and Archives Commission adopts amendments to §§2.111, 2.117, 2.310, 2.312, 2.410, 2.412, 2.610, 2.612, and 2.712. Sections 2.312 and 2.612 are adopted with changes to the text as proposed in the November 7, 2008, issue of the Texas Register (33 TexReg 9029) and will be republished. Sections 2.111, 2.117, 2.310, 2.410, 2.412, 2.610, and 2.712 are adopted without changes to the proposal and will not be republished. These sections address grant policies and procedures for the management of grants distributed or administered by the agency. One comment, submitted on behalf of others, was received during the comment period.
One comment was received regarding §2.612(a), regarding the criteria for award for grants to Library Systems. The comment concerns the additional 10 points awarded that could be awarded for projects that initiate or expand the sharing of library materials using a shared automation system. The commenter disagreed with this criteria for several reasons. The comment first cites the agency's Library Services and Technology Act Five-Year Plan goals and states that the goals emphasize services to special populations, rather than initiation of joint automation systems. Second, the comment states that the Library Systems are identified in the Plan as providing continuing education and consulting to special populations. Further, the comment states that there has been no statewide study identifying shared automation systems as a top priority for public libraries, and such a decision should be based on data. Extra points only for such projects are a disincentive to innovation and community partnerships, and reflect a "one size fits all" approach to a state with ten distinct regional library systems where conditions and local capacity vary greatly.
Agency response: The citation of the goals in the agency's Five-Year Plan is inaccurate. One of the goals in the Plan (Goal 4) is to "Assist libraries with technology to serve the information needs of Texans." The Library Systems competitive grants are listed as an activity under this goal as "provide grants to Texas Library Systems to assist libraries in developing access to information." The references to the Library Systems providing continuing education and consulting refer to the Texas Library System grant itself, which has continuing education and consulting as a core service. The agency's study of the statewide interlibrary loan system states that one strategy for improving access to library collections for Texans is through shared automation systems, especially where the shared system allows patrons of all participating libraries to see and place holds on any material in the shared system, and where there is a delivery service. The agency may set priorities for use of the federal funds, and the extra points help promote the Plan goal. However, the agency agrees the maximum number of additional points that may be awarded may be too great, and adopts a reduced number of points in §2.312 and §2.612. In addition, language was added clarifying the resource sharing technology that should be a part of such projects.
DIVISION 1. GENERAL GRANT GUIDELINES
These amended sections are adopted under the authority of Government Code, §441.0091, Grant program for local libraries, that permits the State Library and Archives Commission to adopt rules relating to providing grants to meet specific information needs of residents of the state and specific needs of local libraries. These amended sections affect Government Code, §441.0091.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13, 2009.
TRD-200901411
Edward Seidenberg
Assistant State Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Effective date: May 3, 2009
Proposal publication date: November 7, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5459
These amended sections are adopted under the authority of Government Code, §441.0091, Grant program for local libraries, that permits the State Library and Archives Commission to adopt rules relating to providing grants to meet specific information needs of residents of the state and specific needs of local libraries. These amended sections affect Government Code, §441.0091.
§2.312.Criteria for Award.
Proposals will be scored by peer reviewers on eight criteria. The maximum points for each criterion is shown. Those projects which initiate or expand the sharing of library materials using a shared library automation system may receive up to 4 additional points, based on the merits of the proposal. If the project is to implement or expand a shared library automation system, that system must implement a proven and widely accepted resource sharing technology such as a Z39.50 server, or a "Search and Retrieval by URL" (SRU) server.
(1) Needs assessment. (15 points) Applicants describe why the program is needed, the program goals and audience. They describe the greater community to be served. They include demographic statistics, library records, or surveys to support these statements. They attach letters of cooperation showing commitment to the project from agencies to be involved.
(2) Program design. (20 points) Applicants thoroughly describe services, programs, activities; describe the location where they will be offered; and explain how these services will attract shared library users. Collaborative projects have priority and inclusion of relevant community organizations is encouraged.
(3) Project impact. (15 points) Applicants describe the impact their project will have on library services and users locally, as well as regionally or statewide. This may include how the proposed project is a model program that would benefit other communities.
(4) Personnel. (5 points) Applicants identify who will administer the funds and which positions will provide the services. List how much time will be spent in each position on assigned duties. List how the qualifications of each person relate to their job duties. Full job descriptions are required for new hires.
(5) Timetable. (5 points) Applicants present a timetable for project activities within the fiscal year (i.e., a list of actions with a date by which they will be accomplished); provide verification that facilities will be available, equipment and materials delivered; and explain how the staff will be hired and trained in time to carry out the services as planned.
(6) Evaluation. (10 points) Applicants set achievable, measurable outcomes, and present a reasonable method to collect data. Applicants present a method to count users of the services as well as the effectiveness of the service.
(7) Budget. (20 points) Applicants provide a complete budget for the proposed project and fully justify the budget by describing how budgeted items will contribute to the project; identify a source for the stated costs (e.g., city pay classification for staff, catalog or city/county bid list for equipment); the costs are reasonable to achieve project objectives. If new staff are to be employed, applicants take into account the time for a realistic hiring process to occur.
(8) Sustainability. (10 points) Applicants describe the resources that will be used to support the services developed through the grant in the future. A written commitment of future support from governing bodies is desirable, but not required.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13, 2009.
TRD-200901412
Edward Seidenberg
Assistant State Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Effective date: May 3, 2009
Proposal publication date: November 7, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5459
These amended sections are adopted under the authority of Government, Code, §441.0091, Grant program for local libraries, that permits the State Library and Archives Commission to adopt rules relating to providing grants to meet specific information needs of residents of the state and specific needs of local libraries. These amended sections affect Government Code, §441.0091.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13, 2009.
TRD-200901413
Edward Seidenberg
Assistant State Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Effective date: May 3, 2009
Proposal publication date: November 7, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5459
These amended sections are adopted under the authority of Government Code, §441.0091, Grant program for local libraries, that permits the State Library and Archives Commission to adopt rules relating to providing grants to meet specific information needs of residents of the state and specific needs of local libraries. These amended sections affect Government Code, §441.0091.
§2.612.Criteria for Award.
Proposals will be scored by on eight criteria. The maximum points for each criterion is shown. Those projects which initiate or expand the sharing of library materials using a shared library automation system may receive up to 4 additional points, based on the merits of the proposal. If the project is to implement or expand a shared library automation system, that system must implement a proven and widely accepted resource sharing technology such as a Z39.50 server, or a "Search and Retrieval by URL" (SRU) server.
(1) Needs assessment. (15 points) Applicants describe why the program is needed, the program goals and audience. They describe the greater community to be served. They include demographic statistics, library records, or surveys to support these statements. They attach letters of cooperation showing commitment to the project from agencies to be involved.
(2) Program design. (20 points) Applicants thoroughly describe services, programs, activities; describe the location where they will be offered; and explain how these services will attract shared library users. Collaborative projects have priority and inclusion of relevant community organizations is encouraged.
(3) Project impact. (15 points) Applicants describe the impact their project will have on library services and users regionally or statewide. This may include how the proposed project is a model program that would benefit other regions of the state.
(4) Personnel. (5 points) Applicants identify who will administer the funds and which positions will provide the services. List how much time will be spent in each position on assigned duties. List how the qualifications of each person relate to their job duties. Full job descriptions are required for new hires.
(5) Timetable. (5 points) Applicants present a timetable for project activities within the fiscal year (i.e., a list of actions with a date by which they will be accomplished); provide verification that facilities will be available, equipment and materials delivered; and explain how staff will be hired and trained in time to carry out the services as planned.
(6) Evaluation. (10 points) Applicants set achievable, measurable outcomes, and present a reasonable method to collect data. Applicants present a method to count users of the services as well as the effectiveness of the service.
(7) Budget. (20 points) Applicants provide a complete budget for the proposed project and fully justify the budget by describing how budgeted items will contribute to the project; identify a source for the stated costs (e.g., city pay classification for staff, catalog or city/county bid list for equipment); the costs are reasonable to achieve project objectives. If new staff are to be employed, applicants take into account the time for a realistic hiring process to occur.
(8) Sustainability. (10 points) Applicants describe the resources that will be used to support the services developed through the grant in the future. A written commitment of future support from governing bodies is desirable, but not required.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13, 2009.
TRD-200901414
Edward Seidenberg
Assistant State Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Effective date: May 3, 2009
Proposal publication date: November 7, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5459
These amended sections are adopted under the authority of Government Code, §441.0091, Grant program for local libraries, that permits the State Library and Archives Commission to adopt rules relating to providing grants to meet specific information needs of residents of the state and specific needs of local libraries. These amended sections affect Government Code, §441.0091.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 13, 2009.
TRD-200901415
Edward Seidenberg
Assistant State Librarian
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Effective date: May 3, 2009
Proposal publication date: November 7, 2008
For further information, please call: (512) 463-5459