Trustee Manual: Certification and Grants
Chapter 6 Certification & Grants | Next Chapter | Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | PDF
In Utah, all public libraries are evaluated according to a set of legal requirements and professional practices known as Public Library Certification Standards. The standards are developed by the State Library and approved by the State Library Board to provide uniformity in assessing the quality of service provided by libraries in different communities, and to help local libraries measure their own performance. Library boards should understand the purpose and benefits of the standards and know that many grant opportunities are tied to certification status.
What are Certification Standards?
Once a library is established by either a city or county jurisdiction, it is expected to meet a set of guidelines, called certification standards, established by the Utah State Library Board as empowered by UCA 9-7-205(1)(n). Standards describe the minimally acceptable levels of performance in crucial areas of library operations including; governance, funding, personnel, collections, public access, technology, and more. Standards help ensure conformance to professionally accepted practices and establish benchmarks for libraries to work toward to improve service over time.
Certification Benefits
Only certified public libraries are eligible for the Community Library Enhancement Fund (CLEF) grant, which is a grant to local libraries from the Utah State Library to "enhance" their community library services. Only certified public libraries may apply for federal grants, such as LSTA and E-Rate discounts. Certified public libraries receive the full range of support services from the State Library and personnel from certified libraries are given preference in training and continuing education programs. If a community reading room or volunteer library wishes to become certified, the library must first meet all the standards required for legal governance and public funding. The State Library will provide a consultant to work with non-certified public libraries seeking certification.
Community Library Enhancement Fund (CLEF) Grants
Only certified public libraries are eligible for this grant from Utah State Library funds (see Appendix B: Community Library Enhancement Fund (CLEF)). These direct grants are designed to motivate public libraries to meet or exceed library standards. They are also intended to help augment the limitations of local funding. Local governments, however, may not reduce library budgets because of the CLEF Grant money. Libraries are required to submit an annual expenditure report to the State Library explaining how the State funding has made a positive difference in library service to the local community.
Library Excellence
Utah libraries striving for excellence should pay attention to the professional publication Library Journal which publishes an "Index of Public Library Service" that identifies "star" libraries out of thousands of public libraries it rates. The top libraries in each population group get five, four, or three stars. Ratings are based on four per-capita service indicators: library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet computer use.