AUTHORIZATION:

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, Executive Order Title I, Part B, Subpart 4.

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 Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

A 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. This program is subject to non-supplanting requirements and must use a restricted indirect cost rate which is referenced under 34 CFR 75.563. For assistance call the Office of Chief Financial Officer/Indirect Cost Group on (202) 708-7770.

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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Pre-application Coordination:   Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. 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.

Application Procedure:   This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. 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 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.

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:   Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

Generally 60 to 120 days after the deadline for applications.

Appeals:   

Not Applicable.

Renewals:   

Not Applicable.

	back to top

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

Grants are awarded for a period of not more than 12 months. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Electronic transfer.

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. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 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.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

91-0900-0-1-501.

Obligations:   (Project Grants) FY 08 $19,144,597; FY 09 est $19,145,000; FY 10 est $19,145,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Range of New Awards: $30,000-$500,000; Average New Award: $231,849.

	back to top