Happy Summer, library colleagues!
The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) continues work on many ongoing projects and initiatives. Some highlights of our recent activities are listed below. Please refer to BLD’s second quarter digest at the end of this message for additional information. Also, remember to check the Compendium calendar to see important BLD dates.
Library Regulations
Proposed changes to existing library regulations have been drafted. The BLD work group continues to pull together the relevant supporting material to be included in the full regulatory package. We have updated our estimated timeline to submit to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) until new committees are established to avoid interruptions in the process. Information about the process and the draft regulations can be found on the Library Regulations LibGuide.
Grant Programs
Due to a delay in the federal budget, the IMLS provided a partial LSTA award of $1,488,486 in February 2024. This delay impacted the timing of our grant rounds this year. The remaining amount of $4,403,333 was received in April 2024 for a total 2024 LSTA award of $5,891,819 for projects that align with Pennsylvania’s 5-Year Plan for library services.
Statewide Library Service Grants – FY 2024-25 applications for new and renewal Statewide Library Service Grants closed in May. Awarded renewal contracts are routing for signatures. New grant applications are still under review. Applicants can review their status in eGrants.
Local Library Grants – FY 2024-25 applications for Local Library Grants closed in May. The review process is complete and award information is routing for internal approval.
Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities – The 2025 application opened on July 15, 2024. Applications must be submitted by 12 noon on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Awarded projects will be completed between April 1, 2025-September 30, 2026.
State Aid
- The state budget passed with level funding for the public library subsidy at $70.47 million. The legislative language that outlines how the subsidy is to be distributed can be found here beginning on page 70. For the 2024-25 State Aid projections, visit the general tab on the State Aid Overview page of the State Aid Resources LibGuide. If you’re interested in more information about the legislative language for previous years or details around the statutory funding formula, please visit the allocation page of the LibGuide.
- A State Aid Q&A hour is held every Thursday at 11am. The meeting link is available by logging into LibPAS.
- The Public Library Directory is live and accessible to the public. We continue to ask libraries to review their listings and if any information needs to be updated, visit the homepage of LibPAS and select the Library and Organization Update Form – Office of Commonwealth Libraries box.
- An update form is also available if there are changes in the director position, whether a new person in a role or someone leaves the role, we ask that libraries complete this form to provide the update to OCL.
- The District Library Center Report opened Wednesday, July 10, 2024 and will close on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
- State Aid Library Subsidy Application (SALSA) also opened on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 and will close on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Plans for the Use of State Aid are anticipated to open at the end of September.
Youth Services
- We are asking libraries to help us measure the extent of the reach of this year’s PA One Book program with this year’s selection of Slug in Love by Rachel Bright by completing this survey.
- Pennsylvania Summer Library Program – The Summer 2024 Impact Report data collection will begin on Thursday, August 1 and will be open through Friday, September 20. A link to the Summer 2024 Impact Report will be announced via the Compendium on Thursday, August 1.
- A recorded information session that outlines changes and provides clarity is available on the Pennsylvania Library Staff Academy.
- The 2024 Play & Grow cohort wrapped up training in May. Eighteen Pennsylvania public libraries successfully completed the 12-hours of coursework and are now planning and implementing infant and toddler activities that develop the whole child, creating a Play and Grow space for families in their library, and ensuring their collection has materials for children birth to five, as well as the adults in their lives. Two additional cohorts will be offered in the next months; watch the Compendium for updates.
Library Operations and Relationships
- A steering team is in development for creating model policies and procedures for libraries to utilize locally in their own policy and procedure development. Teamwork will begin in the coming months with creating a charter, designing a process and rubric for creating these model documents, and drafting model policies and procedures. If libraries need a model policy or procedure, complete this form and the steering team will add it to the list.
- OCL is partnering with PA Humanities on a pilot project for libraries, funded by the IMLS and focused on community engagement and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Training was held in June with another training to occur in August with a focus on the history of the Declaration of Independence and how libraries can effectively engage with their partners and community members in creating safe spaces for discussions. A toolkit is also in development and will provide libraries continue their work in connecting and engaging with their communities.
Professional Development
- We are excited to announce the purchase of a statewide subscription to Homeless Library Academy by Ryan Dowd. This resource provides all Pennsylvania libraries with empathy focused de-escalation and conflict resolution training. The Homeless Library Academy programs can be easily accessed through your PA Library Staff Academy log-in, found in the category titled “Homeless Library Academy.” We encourage libraries to share this resource widely with library staff, board members, and volunteers. Our ability to continue a statewide subscription relies on the robust use of this training platform.
- New training and workshops are always being added to the PA Library Staff Academy, so please make sure to visit often to check for new content.
- Bookmark the following sites and refer to them frequently to stay up to date on workshops and webinars that may be of interest.
- We received great feedback about the AI workshops that were hosted a few months ago. We’re working on securing a third program on AI Ethics. Keep an eye on the Compendium in the coming weeks for more information and a registration link for that.
- To ensure we’re investing in statewide training that is relevant to the needs of the library community, a Professional Development Recommendations form is available.
Statewide Assessment
As outlined in project area 1.1 of OCL’s five-year plan, OCL is conducting a statewide needs assessment. The role of public libraries within their communities throughout Pennsylvania is evolving, and to effectively serve all Pennsylvanians, it is crucial to understand the needs and expectations of Pennsylvania residents so that public libraries can be prepared to address emerging needs and future developments.
This project will assess the role of public libraries using a collective impact approach representing the views of individual Pennsylvanians, library leaders and staff, and other partners. The outcomes of this assessment will serve as a foundation for our efforts over the next five years or more in supporting library development and ensuring the provision of equitable library services for all Pennsylvanians. Additionally, a steering committee will be formed to provide guidance and expertise to us and our consultants along the way. If you’re interested in serving on the steering committee, please email me for more information.
BLD reorganization and rebuilding
- Administration & Data Unit
- Administrative Assistant – Lilian Uzokwe started July 15, 2024.
- Education Administration Specialist – Interviews are complete, and a candidate will soon be selected.
- One vacant position remaining – Assistant Director
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions. I am grateful for your continued patience and support as we move forward, and as always, thank you for all you do for Pennsylvanians.
Heather
Heather Sharpe, MLIS | Director, Bureau of Library Development
Office of Commonwealth Libraries | Pennsylvania Department of Education
607 South Drive | Room 230 | Harrisburg PA 17120
Office: 717.783.0565 | Mobile: 717.903.1819 | www.statelibrary.pa.gov
Quarterly BLD Digest
April, 2024:
April 2, 2024 Library Development Specialist Position Open for Application (Hadiyah Cleveland)
April 2, 2024 Register for Understanding the Importance of Professional Development Plan (Julie Moore)
April 12, 2024 2024-25 Statewide Library Service Grant (Hadiyah Cleveland)
April 15, 2024 2024-25 Local Library Grants (Julie Moore)
April 16, 2024 Bureau of Library Development Updates — April 2024 (Heather Sharpe)
April 23, 2024 Sign Up Now for Upcoming Professional Development Workshops (Julie Moore)
May, 2024:
May 1, 2024 Pennsylvania Summer Library Program 2024 Impact Report Preview Now Available (Corri Hines)
May 2, 2024 Local Library Grant Application Deadline is May 20 (Heather Sharpe)
May 14, 2024 Last Reminder: Local Library Grant Application Deadline May 20 (Sara Deegan)
May 16, 2024 Statewide Gathering Interest Survey Results (Julie Moore)
June, 2024:
June 10, 2024 New Resources in POWER Library (Abbey Lukiewski)
June 28, 2024 Homeless Library Academy by Ryan Dowd Now Available in PA Library Staff Academy (Julie Moore)
The Bureau of Library Development (BLD) in the Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports libraries and library services for Pennsylvanians through the administration of state and federally funded programs and grant opportunities including LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), Library Access, LAMP (Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians), the Public Library Subsidy, and Keystone Grants for Public Library Facilities. BLD also provides advisory services, professional development, and continuing education for library staff and volunteer leadership at public, school, academic, and special libraries.
The Compendium is BLD’s primary communication channel. If you don’t already subscribe, please do so to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information.