Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants Illinois State Library


Eligibility  •  Application Guidelines  •  Application / Expenditures Report Forms  •  Amending the Use of Grant Fund  •  Supporting Resources •  Legal Authority  •  Grant Recipients

Purpose

The Public Library Per Capita Grant assists public libraries in providing library services that meet or show progress toward meeting Illinois library standards. Grant amounts of up to $1.475 per person, based on the population of the library’s service area, are awarded annually to qualified Illinois public libraries.

The Equalization Aid Grant provides additional support to help public libraries with a low library tax base to ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant, a public library must meet the requirements of 75 ILCS 10/8.1, 23 Ill Adm. Code 3030.110, 23 Ill. Adm Code 3035.115, 23 Ill. Adm. Code 3035.135. This includes providing library services that either meet or show progress toward meeting the Illinois library standards outlined in Serving Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries © Illinois Library Association, 2019.

The applicant must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval, or provide a written policy, adopted by the public library’s board of trustees, that indicates the library shall prevent censorship of its library materials, ensuring that items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely because individuals or groups object to the material.

The applicant must have submitted the most recently required Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR), 75 ILCS 5/4-10 or 75 ILCS 16/30-65.

Application Guidelines

On the application, the public library must confirm if it meets each Illinois library standard. The library explains the objectives and priorities to be undertaken during the ensuing year to improve performance levels where standards are not met or where the library is progressing toward meeting those standards.

The applicant must submit:

  1. An application that meets the eligibility requirements.
  2. Certification of compliance with PA 103-0100.
  3. Required expenditure report(s).
Email the application, certification, and expenditure report(s) as attachments to percapgrant@ilsos.gov by January 30.

The Illinois State Library is not responsible for, nor obligated to fund, any grant application assessed as unacceptable or not meeting the eligibility requirements.

We will not accept paper copies of the application and expenditure report. Other than supplying requested information, grant applicants may not alter the original form issued by the Secretary of State. Applications must be submitted on the required form to be considered for funding.

Note:  Retain an electronic copy of the application and expenditure report(s) for the library's files, which includes the date/time stamp of the sent email to show submission.

Application - Deadline January 30

Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant Application

Certification of Compliance with Public Act 103-0100

Expenditure Report Forms - Deadline January 30

The Expenditures Report documents how grant funds were used to help the library meet or make progress toward meeting the specific standards under which grant funds were disbursed.

Submit the required Expenditures Report(s) for FY2022 grant funds awarded with the FY2024 grant application..

Only submit an Equalization Aid Expenditures Report if the library received an equalization grant award.

Amending the Use of Grant Funds

If a library determines to expend grant funds other than what was in the Planned Use of Grant Funds section of the approved application, submit an amendment request on library letterhead to percapgrant@ilsos.gov. The request should state how the funds were originally to be used and the reason for the change. The request should also explain how the new intended use of grant funds aligns with Serving Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries.

Supporting Resources

Legal Authority

Grant Recipients

Questions?

For more information on Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants, contact the Illinois State Library, Library Development Group at percapgrant@ilsos.gov or at 800-665-5576, extension 2, or 217-524-8836.