Chapter 1073 of House Bill 30, Item 255, Number 14c contains the following language: "The Library Board shall develop a grant program for public library construction projects. This item includes $315,000 in the first year and $450,000 in the second year from the general fund for construction grants. In the first year, The Library of Virginia shall make grants to the following libraries: Suffolk/Portsmouth ($50,000) Covington/Allegheny ($50,000); Dinwiddie ($50,000); Buchanan County ($50,000); Williamsburg ($10,000); Charles City/New Kent ($5,000); Rural Retreat ($50,000); and Franklin County ($50,000). By November 1, 2000, the Librarian of Virginia shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly on the process to be used in the second year for requesting funds and the criteria for allocating funds."

This document contains the grant application, review, and award process as approved by The Library of Virginia Board.

Background

Historically, there has been no formal grant program for public library construction using state funds in Virginia. There was a federally funded program, the Library Services and Construction Act Title II, that assisted in public library construction, but the act was replaced with new legislation, the Library Services and Technology Act, containing no construction funds. In 1992 the Library of Virginia, as instructed by the General Assembly in House Joint Resolution No. 128 of the House Committee on Rules of the 1990 session, conducted a “Space Needs Study of Public Libraries in Virginia," published as House Document 5. That study was not replicated since the conditions and needs reported at that time continue.

The grant process contained in this document is a variation of the highly successful federal LSCA Title II program. The public library community has participated in this type of grant process, is familiar with the formats, and understands the highly competitive nature of the funding. The Library of Virginia Board will award the funds after reviewing the recommendations by the Public Library Construction Grant Advisory Committee. The members of that committee were selected to represent geographic, type of public libraries (county, regional, city), experience in library building programs, and library administration interests.