HD14 - Local Minimum Expenditure Requirements and Other Criteria for Public Libraries Receiving Grants-in-Aid

  • Published: 1990
  • Author: State Library and Archives
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 441 (Regular Session, 1989)

Executive Summary:
The State Library Board finds the program of state grants to: establish and develop public library service, encourage the maintenance and development of proper standards, and encourage the combination of libraries or library systems into larger and more economical units, to be a judicious investment in the future of the Commonwealth. Although the statutory formula for the grant program has not changed since 1977, the State Library Board's minimum local expenditure requirement ($2.00 per capita) has been "fully funded" only in Fiscal Years 1985 through 1990, the program has contributed to the following improvements in public information services:

• Statewide participation in the library development program by 88 of Virginia's 94 public libraries, serving 99% of the state's population.

• An increase in the per capita local and state combined expenditure for public library services from $5.59 in 1977 to $14.63 in 1988.

• While Virginia's population increased 27%, 1977 to 1988, public library collections grew 57.1%, circulation of materials increased 58.3%, and the number of certified libraries to assist public library users increased 30%.

• The geographical area of Virginia not served by public libraries has been reduced from over 50% of the state in 1970 to an area of three counties in 1989.

The $2.00 per capita local expenditure requirement to participate in the state aid program has been surpassed by inflationary pressures on public library budgets, the public's demand for information services, and the local efforts of library directors, trustees, staffs, and communities.

In addition to improving their fiscal efforts toward meeting the information needs of Virginia's citizens, the public libraries made significant progress in improving the management, delivery, efficiency, and qualify of public information services by meeting the State Library Board's qualitative requirements to receive grants-in-aid.

The State Library Board changes the requirement for local expenditures in support of public library services that stimulates local fiscal effort, allows for inflation, and continues the consistent growth necessary to meet the information needs of the citizens of Virginia.