Literacy through School Libraries (84.364)

 

Program

84.364 Literacy through School Libraries

 

Federal Agency

OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

Authorization

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Title I, Part B, Subpart 4. Public Law 107-110.

 

Program Number

84.364

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide students with increased access to up-to- date school library materials, a well-equipped technologically advanced school library media center, and well-trained, professionally certified school library media specialists to improve literacy skills and achievement of students.

 

Types of Assistance

Project Grants (Discretionary).

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Recipient local educational agency (LEA) receiving a grant may use program funds to: acquire school library media resources; acquire and use technology that can help to develop the information retrieval and critical thinking skills of students; facilitate Internet links and other resource-sharing networks; provide professional development and collaborative activities for school library media specialists; and provide students with access to school libraries during non-school hours.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Local educational agencies (LEAs) with a child poverty rate of at least 20 percent are eligible.

Beneficiary Eligibility

School library media center specialists, teachers, students, parents and the community are beneficiaries.

Credentials/Documentation

Information to document the need for and impact of school library improvement.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

None. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applications must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the notice published in the Federal Register. By the due date, eligible applicants must submit to the U.S. Department of Education, Application Control Center, a complete application that addresses the purposes of the program, the selection criteria, the absolute priority included in the application notice, and includes all required assurances and signatures. Required assurances and certifications include: Group Application Certification (if applicable); Assurances for Non-Construction Programs (SF 422B); Certification regarding Lobbying, Debarment; Suspension and Other Responsibility Matter, and Drug-Free Workplace Requirements (ED Form 80- 0013); Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF LLL) (if applicable); Response to Notice to All Applicants (Section 427, GEPA). Applications should also include a Cover Page (SF424); the required Budget Form (ED Form 524); an itemized budget and other budget information; proof of eligibility; a project abstract; and a program narrative that includes responses to selection criteria. Applicants are encouraged to submit (1) one original and (2) copies of their application. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372,"Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Award Procedure

Applications are reviewed and ranked by a panel of outside readers. The Department of Education notifies successful applicants of awards and negotiates the final award documents.

Deadlines

Deadlines are published in the Federal Register.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

None.

Renewals

None.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

None.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Grants are awarded for a period of not more than 12 months.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Grantees must submit a final performance reports within 90 days after the end of the grant award period documenting how the funds were used and the how school library media centers were improved.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Records must be maintained for three years after the fiscal year in which the expenditure was made by the grantee, or until the grantee is notified of the completion of the Federal fiscal audit. In all cases of audit questions, records must be maintained until resolution has occurred.

 

Program Accomplishments

Ninety-four projects in 33 states were funded in 2002.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $12,500,000; FY 03 est $12,419,000; and FY 04 est $27,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In 2002, the average award was $138,000; the range of awards is $20,000-$350,000.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Parts 74, 75, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 85, 86, 97, 98, and 99. For further guidance and other information, contact the program office.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Not applicable.

Headquarters Office

U.S. Department of Education, OESE Academic Improvement and Teacher Quality Programs, 400 Maryland, Ave. S.W., Rm. 5C130, FB-6 Washington, DC 20202-6100. Contact: Margaret McNeely. Internet: Margaret.McNeely@ed.gov Telephone: (202)260-1335.

Web Site Address

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/LSL/index.html

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Approximately 50 percent of the funds are being used to improve collections. The projects are operating in approximately 580 schools serving 236,000 students. Two-thirds of the schools served are at the elementary level, the remaining third are split between middle and high schools. Projects funded in 2002 range from supporting a districtwide library revitalization project in elementary schools in Baltimore, Md.; developing a full-service school library in rural Minnewaukan, N.D.; and implementing a technology-based reading program in Madill, Okla.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Selection criteria are contained in the program guidelines. Contact the program office for more information.