1.	Project Title:	State Aid to Libraries Operating Grant
2.	Senate Sponsor:	Click here to enter text.
3.	Date of Request:	9/29/2017
4.	Project/Program Description:
The State Aid to Libraries Operating Grant program is a continuing State grant program, authorized under Chapter 257, Florida Statutes. State Aid provides financial encouragement for all 67 counties to provide freely accessible public library services to those taxed for the service. It fosters the growth and innovation of new ideas to provide library and information services to the residents of Florida based on local service plans. The law authorizes a match of up to 25 cents on each dollar of local expenditure for library services. The State match reached a high of 11 cents on the dollar in fiscal year (FY) 1998-1999 and has declined since then. After an increase to $27.4 million in FY 2014-2015, the appropriation for the entire state was reduced to $22.2 million in FY 2015-2016 and remained at that rate for the current year. This resulted in a reduction in the allocation to Lake County from $210,968 for FY 2015-2016 to $201,152 in FY 2016-2017; estimates for FY 2017-2018 have not yet been published. In Lake County, the State Aid grant funds are used to support system-wide technology infrastructure, including public access computers, subscriptions to online reference databases for public use, and county-wide literacy programs. At the same time that citizens are in greater need of government services, public libraries are increasingly the “go to” places when Floridians need to access the internet and government services. This funding also supports education and reading, as libraries are a critical support for school-aged children and a resource for life success for learners of all ages. Public Libraries also use State Aid Grants to help the local economy by providing economic development resources to small businesses and job seekers, and by implementing new technology and innovative solutions. Since the allocation for Lake County is expected to be less than last fiscal year, there may be fewer computers replaced, database access may be reduced, or there may be a reduction in some of the countywide services offered through libraries.Additionally, an appropriation at the current level, at the state level, makes it possible for the state to receive approximately $8 million in federal Library Services and Technology Act grants. These grants fund many statewide services that directly affect local citizens, such as the Florida Electronic Library reference website provided to all Florida libraries and the 24/7 chat reference service also provided to libraries throughout Florida.
5.	State Agency to receive requested funds:	Division of Library and Information Services
State Agency Contacted?	Division of Library and Information Services
6.	Amount of the Non-Recurring Request:
Amount Requested for Operations	Amount Requested for Fixed Capital Outlay	Total Amount of Requested State Funds
$200,000	N/A	$200,000
7.	Total Project Cost (include all requested State funds and any other funding sources):	$200,000
8.	Type, amount and percent of matching funds available for this project:
Type	Amount	Percent
Federal:	N/A	N/A
State (Excluding the amount of this request):	N/A	N/A
Local:	N/A	N/A
Other:	N/A	N/A
9.	Was the project previously funded by the State?
Fiscal Year(s)	Amount	Vetoed
Recurring	Non-Recurring
2014	N/A	$211,535	N/A
2015	N/A	$274,333	N/A
2016	N/A	$220,968	N/A
2017	N/A	$201,152	N/A
10.	Is future-year funding likely to be requested? If yes, indicate non-recurring amount per year.
$200,000
11.	Program Performance (if needed, include additional documentation):
a.	What is the specific purpose or goal that will be achieved by the funds requested?
State Aid grant funds are used to support system-wide technology infrastructure, including public access computers, subscriptions to online reference databases for public use, and county-wide literacy programs. At the same time that citizens are in greater need of government services, public libraries are increasingly the “go to” places when Floridians need to access the internet and government services. This funding also supports education and reading, as libraries are a critical support for school-aged children and a resource for life success for learners of all ages. Public Libraries also use State Aid Grants to help the local economy by providing economic development resources to small businesses and job seekers, and by implementing new technology and innovative solutions. Since the allocation for Lake County is expected to be less than last fiscal year, there may be fewer computers replaced, database access may be reduced, or there may be a reduction in some of the countywide services offered through libraries.Additionally, an appropriation at the current level, at the state level, makes it possible for the state to receive approximately $8 million in federal Library Services and Technology Act grants. These grants fund many statewide services that directly affect local citizens, such as the Florida Electronic Library reference website provided to all Florida libraries and the 24/7 chat reference service also provided to libraries throughout Florida.
b.	What are the activities and services that will be provided to meet the intended purpose of these funds?
Purchase and upgrade computers in 15 libraries; purchase and maintain online reference data bases for the public; assist in proividing literacy classes county wide for non English speaking residents as well as tutoring for adults and children hgaving reading difficulties. The funds will also ensure internet access to residents of Lake County as well as access to the Florida Electronic Database.
c.	How will the funds be expended?
Spending Category	Description	Amount
Administrative Costs:
Executive Director/Project Head Salary and Benefits	N/A	N/A
Other Salary and Benefits	N/A	N/A
Expense/Equipment/Travel/ Supplies/Other	N/A	N/A
Consultants/Contracted Services/ Study	N/A	N/A
Operational Costs:
Salary and Benefits	N/A	N/A
Expense/Equipment/Travel/ Supplies/Other	Funds to help support the operation of the Lake County Library System	$200,000
Consultants/Contracted Services/ Study	N/A	N/A
Fixed Capital Construction/Major Renovation:
Construction/Renovation/Land/ Planning Engineering	N/A	N/A
d.	What are the direct services to be provided to citizens by the appropriations project?
Free access to information technologies, resources, training and life enrichment opportunities
e.	Who is the target population served by this project? How many individuals are expected to be served.
All Lake County residents
f.	What is the expected benefit or outcome of this project? What is the methodology by which this outcome will be mesasured?
Residents of Lake County will have free access to information technologies, resources, training and life enrichment opportunities. This will be measured through the daily collection of related startistics and monthly analysis of these figures.
g.	What are the suggested penalties that the contracting agency may consider in addition to its standard penalties for failing to meet deliverables or performance measures provided for in the contract?
N/A
12.	The owners of the facility to receive, directly or indirectly, any fixed capital outlay funding. Include the relationship between the owners of the facility and the entity.
N/A
13.	Requestor Contact information:
a.	Name and Title:	AVA BARRETT, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF LIBRARY SERVICES
b.	Organization:	LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
c.	E-mail Address:	abarrett@mylakelibrary.org
d.	Phone Number:	352-253-6180
14.	Recipient Contact Information:
a.	Organization:	LAKE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
b.	Municipality and County:	LAKE COUNTY
c.	Organization type (check all that apply):
☐	For-profit Entity
☐	Non Profit 501(c) (3)
☐	Non Profit 501(c) (4)
☒	Local Entity
☐	University or College
☐	Other (please specify)	N/A
d.	Contact Name and Title:	AVA BARRETT, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF LIBRARY SERVICES
e.	E-mail Address:	abarrett@mylakelibrary.org
f.	Phone Number:	352-253-6180
15.	Lobbyist Contact Information:
a.	Name:	GRAY ROBINSON
b.	Firm:	Click here to enter text.
c.	Email Address:	Click here to enter text.
d.	Phone Number:	Click here to enter text.
Please complete the questions below for Water Projects only.
16.	Have you applied for alternative state funding?
☐	Waste Water Revolving Loan
☐	Drinking Water Revolving Loan
☐	Small Community Wastewater Treatment Grant
☐	Other (Please describe)	Click here to enter text.
☐	N/A
17.	What is the population economic status?
☐	Financially Disadvantaged Community (ch. 62-552, F.A.C)
☐	Financially Disadvantaged Municipality (ch. 62-552, F.A.C)
☐	Rural Area of Economic Concern
☐	Rural Area of Opportunity (s. 288.0656, Florida Statutes)
18.	What is the status of construction?
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19.	What percentage of the construction has been completed? What is the estimated completion date?
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The information provided will be posted on the Florida Senate website for public viewing if sponsored by a Senator.