2006 Recertification of Public Libraries

							2006 Recertification of Public Libraries
Background: Utah’s first set of public library standards, published as The Upgrade Process in 1987, took approximately three years to be fully implemented. An abbreviated form of the standards, Checkpoint, became the working document used by the State Library to measure a library’s performance based on the standards. Clarifications and minor revisions were compiled in several revisions to the Standards in 1997, 2001, and 2002. As Utah’s population grew and new towns blossomed in the decade of the ‘90’s, the State Library addressed certification of newly established libraries on a case-by-case basis. The proposed 2006 recertification of libraries will be the first statewide formal assessment in over a decade. Certification Standards Focus Group Members: Melinda Dalton, Director Juliene Parrish, Director Lyn Oryall, Director Michelle Graves, Director Norma Procarione, Director Jerilyn Mathis, Director Steve Decker, Director Pam Jackson, Director Dan Barr, Director Ron Jenkins, Director Minersville Public Library Richmond Public Library Santaquin Library Eagle Mountain Library Price City Library Emery County Library Cedar City Library Spanish Fork City Library Murray City Library Logan City Library

Process: A library consultant assigned by the State Library will coordinate the recertification process. Using the new standards checklist, the consultant will meet with the director and board chair or full board and discuss the library’s performance. The consultant and library representatives should reach a consensus on the library’s certification status. Libraries may appeal their certification rating or request a recertification review by submitting their concerns in writing to the Director of the State Library. Recertification Timetable Utah State Library's Revised Certification Standards for Public Libraries are effective as of July 1 2006. All currently certified publicly libraries will be required to complete a recertification process. This process will consist of the completion of a "checklist" in consultation with a consultant from USL. The recertification will take place between September and November of 2006. Currently certified Libraries meeting all Basic Standards will continue to be eligible for Federal LSTA funds and the State Public Library Development Grant. Failure to Meet Recertification Requirements Currently certified libraries not meeting all Basic Standards will continue to be eligible for Federal and State Funds for FY2007 and will be required to comply with all Basic Standards upon recertification between September and November of 2007. Libraries failing to comply with Basic Standards by November of 2007 will be placed in Provisional status, which will result in loss of access to Federal funds, and reduction in Public Library Development funds to a Provisional level support grant. Provisional libraries will have one further year to comply with Basic Standards. Failure to meet Basic Standards will result in elimination of access to Federal and Public Library Development Grants. Libraries failing certification will need to initiate the process anew, as indicated above.

2006 Recertification of Public Libraries

Advanced Standards If, in addition to meeting all Basic Standards, libraries that comply with 5 or more Professional Standards may be eligible for additional state funds. The availability of these funds will depend on the amount of state funds available for the Public Library Development Grant. Exempt Libraries Public libraries serving populations over 50,000 are benchmarks for fully developed public library service. These libraries are exempt from the recertification process.

Checklist for 2006 Certification Standards: F:\Library\Certification Standards

Recertification – Public Library Development Grants Calendar Calendar Year
December 2005 March 2006 July 2006 July – December 2006 October 2006 December 2006 March 2007 July 2007 July 2007 October 2007

Fiscal Year (July 1)
FY 2006 FY 2007 FY 2007 NA NA FY 2007 FY 2008 FY 2008 NA NA

Action
PLD grants sent to lib. (55% formula) PLD grant amounts set by Legislature Grants amounts announced to libraries – new formula Recertification of all libraries Libraries submit long-range plan and updates PLD grants sent to libraries PLD grant amounts set by legislature Grant amounts announced to libraries Internet Online Policy Updates required Libraries submit long-range plan and updates. Recertification checklists, if needed. PLD grants sent to libraries

December 2007

FY 2008

2006 Recertification of Public Libraries