July 21, 2022
The Arkansas State Library received $2,660,308 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The ARPA funds will be disbursed to the Arkansas State Library through the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) Grants to States program.
To ensure the most prompt reply, Arkansas public library directors may send ARPA-related questions and concerns to aslib.grants@ade.arkansas.gov.
Grant Application, Forms & Guidelines
All application windows and final deadlines are reflected in the timeline, application instructions and grant manual.
Instructions & Information
- American Rescue Plan Act Grant Manual (PDF)
- Non-Competitive Grant Application Guidelines (PDF)
- ARPA Fund Distribution Amounts by Library (MS Excel)
- Timeline for Spending Grants Funds
- Program Evaluation Survey Guidelines (PDF)
Mandatory Application Forms
Completed forms submitted via email (preferred) to Manager of Grants and Special Projects Debbie Hall, or via USPS.
- Non-Competitive Application (MS Word)
- Letter of Agreement (MS Word)
- W-9 Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF, Internal Revenue Service)
Additional Application Forms
Completed forms submitted via online form.
- Request for Larger Grant Installment
- Request for Equipment; pre-approval required for any equipment purchases over $5,000
Program Reporting, Evaluation & Promotion
Completed forms submitted via email (preferred) to Manager of Grants and Special Projects Debbie Hall, or via USPS.
Reporting
- Activity Worksheet (MS Word)
- Progress Report (MS Word)
Final Report Forms
- Enhanced Technology (MS Word)
- Information Access (MS Word)
- Institutional Capacity (MS Word)
- Targeted Audiences (MS Word)
Program Evaluation
- Survey Guidelines (PDF)
- General Public Program Survey (MS Excel)
- General Public Tally Sheet (MS Excel)
- General Public Survey Results (MS Excel)
- Library Staff Survey (MS Excel)
- Library Staff Tally Sheet (MS Excel)
- Library Staff Survey Results (MS Excel)
Program Promotion
- Press Release Template (MS Word)
Timeline
The timeline may be subject to change. Check back often for the most current information. Major final deadlines shown in red.
A timeline for spending grant funds is also available.
| May 2021 | |
|---|---|
| 5/17/21 — 5/21/21 | Manual, Application, Guidelines, Letter of Agreement, & W-9 distributed |
| 5/24/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 2 pm to 3:30 pm |
| 5/25/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 10 am to 11:30 am |
| 5/26/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 2 pm to 3:30 pm |
| 5/27/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 10 am to 11:30 am |
| June 2021 | |
| 6/2/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 2 pm to 3:30 pm |
| 6/9/21 | Zoom Session: Application Information from 10 am to 11:30 am |
| 6/15/21 | Application, Letter of Agreement, & W-9 due |
| July 2021 | |
| 7/1/21 | Delayed Application due to ensure mailing of first grant installment in August 2021 |
| 7/5/21 — 7/9/21 | Official Award Notification, Progress and Final Reports sent |
| 7/15/21 — 7/20/21 | First Grant Installment warrants mailed |
| August 2021 | |
| 8/2/21 — 8/6/21 | First grant installment mailed for Delayed Applications received by July deadline |
| 8/1/21 | Delayed Application due to ensure mailing of first grant installment in September 2021 |
| September 2021 | |
| 9/1/21 — 9/6/21 | First grant installment mailed for Delayed Applications received by August deadline |
| 9/1/21 | Final deadline for Delayed Applications |
| October 2021 | |
| 10/1/21 — 10/8/21 | First grant installment mailed for Delayed Applications received by final September deadline |
| 10/15/21 | First Progress Report due |
| January 2022 | |
| 1/15/22 | Second Progress Report due |
| April 2022 | |
| 4/15/22 | Third Progress Report due |
| June 2022 | |
| 6/30/22 | Grant period ends (all funds must be expended) |
| July 2022 | 7/15/22 | Fourth Progress Report due |
| September 2022 | |
| 9/30/22 | Final Report due |
Informational Sessions via Zoom
Technology Assessment and Buyers Guide with Carson Block (1 hour 12 minutes, YouTube)
Recorded virtual session presented by Carson Block for public library directors, IT directors, and library staff interested in learning more about technology assessment and best practices when purchasing technology.
Technology buying guides focus on items eligible for purchase using ARPA funds distributed by the Arkansas State Library.
Distribution of ARPA Funds
The Arkansas State Library will use the great majority of ARPA funds to provide sub-grants to public libraries. The State Library has developed an American Rescue Plan Act Grant Manual to guide Arkansas public libraries through the sub-grant process and provide information about ARPA spending restrictions.
External Factors that Impact Grant Disbursement
The State Library is not able to distribute ARPA funds in the same manner as State Aid. As such, the State Library used federal guidelines to develop a fair plan of distribution that maximized spending flexibility while adhering to the overall spirit and priorities of the legislation.
Factors taken into consideration include:
Libraries may spend annual state aid funds received at their discretion, but every ARPA dollar spent must be accounted for and reported to IMLS by the State Library.
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Funds can only be spent according to the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA); this creates programmatic limitations on how the money can be used.
For example, ARPA funds cannot be used for land, construction, expansion, or many types of renovation, nor can they be used for advocacy or lobbying.
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Since the sub-grants use federal funds, each library must complete various forms, including Assurances and Certifications and CIPA Internet Safety compliance.
All federally-required forms must be signed and submitted before ARPA funds can be disbursed.
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Terms and Conditions for accepting federal funds are still being developed at the national level. The terms specify the libraries’ responsibilities as recipients of federal funds.
ARPA is ultimately meant to address problems brought about or exacerbated by the pandemic.
The State Library lacks the administrative capacity to track and manage limitless types of projects and expenses. Reaslistic parameters on the types of projects supported are necessary to successfully administer the sub-grants and meet the IMLS reporting burden.
Funding Formula for Sub-Grant Awards
The Arkansas State Library developed a funding formula based on service population to determine the amount each library is eligible to receive.
The award amount is weighted by other factors that correspond to the spending priorities set out by Congress. Weights include:
- Rurality (people per square mile);
- Unemployment levels;
- Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE);
- Residential internet connectivity.
Purpose of ARPA & Spending Priorities
To achieve the American Rescue Plan Act’s purposes with respect to Grants to States, this funding is to be used by September 30, 2022, in helping communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic, as well as to related economic and community needs through equitable approaches. Spending priorities are as follows:
First, to enable libraries to reach residents with internet hotspots, accessible Wi-Fi, and other digital inclusion efforts, particularly in support of education, health, and workforce development. The following types of data, among others, can inform efforts to reach underserved populations:
- Poverty/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Unemployment
- Broadband availability
Second, to provide rapid emergency relief to libraries across the country, allowing them to safely respond to the pandemic and implement public health protocols;
Third, to support library services that meet the needs of communities throughout the U.S., including costs such as personnel, technology, training, materials, supplies, equipment, and associated indirect costs; and
With respect to the three points above, reach tribal and museum partners best positioned to assist with pandemic response efforts, in addition to traditionally eligible library entities, where appropriate.
To ensure the most prompt reply, Arkansas public library directors may send ARPA-related questions and concerns to aslib.grants@ade.arkansas.gov.
