005.06.22 Ark. Code R. 003

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 005.06.22-003 - Arkansas State Library Rules Governing Distribution of Scholoarship Assistance-Revised

1.00 REGULATORY AUTHORITY

1.01 These rules shall be known as Arkansas State Library Rules Governing the Distribution of Scholarship Assistance.

1.02 These rules are enacted pursuant to the Arkansas State Library's authority under Act 489, Acts of Arkansas 1979, Arkansas Code Anno. 13-2-201 et seq.

2.00 PURPOSE

2.01 It is the purpose of these rules to formalize a process already in existence and set reasonable guidelines to make scholarship assistance available to every public library in the state of Arkansas to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a master's degree in library and information science as defined in 3.03. These rules are specifically for the purpose of establishing standards for distributing funds available through the state aid to public library fund administered by the Arkansas State Library.

3.00 DEFINITIONS

3.01 ASL refers to the Arkansas State Library.

3.02 ALA refers to the American Library Association.

3.03 A master's degree refers to the educational award given by a library school whose program is accredited by the ALA.

3.04 State Aid refers to State Aid to Public Libraries

4.00 FOCUS AREA

4.01 To aid Arkansas public libraries in employing master's degree librarians by providing educational opportunities for public library staff members through traditional, on-campus or distance learning.

5.00 ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS

5.01 Scholarship funds will be distributed to a public library that submits scholarship application to the ASL Board. Priority will be given as follows:

1. Public libraries eligible for State Aid whose personnel are employed as library directors.

2. Public libraries eligible for State Aid whose personnel are employed positions other than library director.

3. Public libraries not eligible for State Aid but recognized by the ASL as public libraries.

5.02 The applying institution (or its governing body) must be able to accept and administer the scholarship on behalf of the employee. Applying institutions may neither add to nor subtract from the scholarship eligibility requirements imposed on the employee.

5.03 Individuals upon whose behalf the library is applying must meet the following standards:

1. Unless employed as a library director and granted a waiver from the ASL Board, show evidence of completion of 12 semester hours toward the master's degree as evidenced by submitting an official transcript.

2. Provide a copy of the agreement with the public library concerning employment in a public library for at least one year after completion of the master's degree.

3. After each semester, furnish proof of completion of coursework which shows the individual received a minimum course grade (based upon an "A-F" grading scale), of "B", or if applicable, a "Credit" for a credit/no credit course. "Incompletes" do not qualify for reimbursement.

4. Show evidence of conferral of degree by submitting an official transcript which indicates the date of conferral.

5. Agree to remain employed by a public library in the state of Arkansas for a duration of one year upon completion of degree.

6. Complete all required coursework and obtain the master's degree within three (3) years of acceptance to the scholarship program. This requirement may be waived by written appeal to, and approval by, the ASL Board.

6.00 ADMINISTRATION

6.01 The scholarship will be administered by the ASL Board.

7.00 SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSALS

7.01 The proposals shall include an application from the applicant library. The ASL Board shall review the proposals for approval. Proposals shall be consistent with Arkansas Code and existing ASL rules regarding an ALA accredited library program.

7.02 Funding may include but is not limited to tuition, materials, travel, lodging, and other items associated with educational costs.

7.03. Funding shall not be provided for hours in excess of the required number for the degree, nor for required courses not completed within the set number of hours required for the degree.

8.00 DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS

8.01 The ASL Board will budget and distribute funds appropriated for each biennium from the Arkansas State Legislature according to the following:

1. The total amount of funds to be distributed will be determined by the ASL Board each year at a minimum of 1% of the appropriated State Aid to Public Libraries.

2. Funds may provide as many scholarships as are requested each year. All monies not disbursed shall be returned to the State Aid fund for distribution.

3. Funds may be disbursed to the applicant library at the completion of each semester.

4. Funds will be distributed via scholarship for each individual as identified by the ASL Board in accordance with eligibility. Each scholarship will include a set of assurances and provisions required in the eligibility standards.

8.02 The ASL Board reserves the right to approve or deny any scholarship applications.

005.06.22 Ark. Code R. 003

Adopted by Arkansas Register Volume 48, Number 06, Effective 5/29/2023