Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Federal and state laws determine eligibility of schools, school districts, and libraries.
Schools
In general, a school is eligible for Schools and Libraries support if it meets the following eligibility requirements:
- Schools must provide elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.
- Schools may be public or private institutional day or residential schools, or public charter schools.
- Schools must operate as non-profit businesses.
- Schools cannot have an endowment exceeding $50 million.
In many cases, non-traditional facilities and students may be eligible.
- Eligibility of Head Start, Pre-Kindergarten, Juvenile Justice, and Adult Education student populations and facilities depends on state law definitions of elementary or secondary education.
- An Educational Service Agency, which may operate owned or leased instructional facilities, may be eligible for Schools and Libraries support if it provides elementary or secondary education as defined in state law.
Libraries
Libraries must meet the statutory definition of library or library consortium found in the 1996 Library Services and Technology Act (Pub. L. 104-208) (LSTA) to meet eligibility requirements for Schools and Libraries support.
- Libraries must be eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under that Act.
- Libraries must have budgets completely separate from any schools (including, but not limited to, elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities).
- Libraries cannot operate as for-profit businesses.
