Overview. The Utah State Library Division (USL) has legal authority to set standards for public libraries (UCA 9-7-205). The Standards for Utah Public Libraries present minimum levels of effort required by public libraries in order to receive certain services and grants from USL.
Eligible Libraries. The Standards further require that libraries meet additional governance, funding, access, personnel, resources, technology, facilities, marketing, administration, and advocacy requirements. All Utah public libraries that fulfill the requirements for State Library Certification are eligible for an annual Community Library Enhancement Fund (CLEF) Payment (formerly Public Library Development Grant).
Grants awards schedule. Community Library Enhancement Funds are calculated for all qualified and certified public libraries following the State Legislature session and are awarded at the beginning of the next calendar year. CLEF payments are based on a formula which takes into account the population the library serves, the wealth of the community, and the financial effort the local government is making to support library services.
Allowed Uses. Community Library Enhancement Funds may be used for any library purpose that improves library services to the community. The Funds may not be used as a match for LSTA competitive grant applications, and may not replace local funding.
Local Government Support (Maintenance of Effort) . Local governments must provide funding for public libraries. To be eligible for the current fiscal year CLEF payment, the jurisdiction must comply with maintenance of effort funding support for the library. The jurisdiction must expend an amount not less than 90% of the amount actually expended on the library in the second preceding fiscal year, exclusive of capital outlay.
Reporting. Recipients are required to complete an ONLINE report of expenditures under this grant on a form called "Attachment C: Community Library Enhancement Funds Report " by Aug. 15 of every year. For your convenience, there is a link to a worksheet that you can use to gather your data and narrative information BEFORE you begin to work on the online report. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT SAVE YOUR ONLINE REPORT. IT MUST BE COMPLETED AT ONE TIME.
For more information or assistance with the forms please contact: Rose Frost, Grants Coordinator (801-715-6742) or (800-662-9150 ext. 742)