Enrich Iowa Frequently Asked Questions
What does Enrich Iowa include?
Enrich Iowa includes Direct State Aid, Open Access, and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement. Public libraries may participate in all three components of Enrich Iowa.
As of July 1, 2017, only public libraries and college/university libraries are eligible to participate in Open Access. Other types of libraries are still eligible to participate in Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.
How do libraries sign up for Enrich Iowa?
Libraries are required to submit a signed Letter of Agreement each year. The letters of agreement are normally due on April 30 of each year. The letter must be signed by the library director or other signatory authority, such as the Board President.
When will funding from Enrich Iowa be distributed in FY24?
All funding for FY24 has been distributed.
Will my library have to amend the budget?
If Enrich Iowa funds are unexpected revenue, your library will have to amend its budget. Unexpected revenue cannot be spent unless the budget is amended to include this additional income. The city clerk or city budget manager should be consulted to determine the date when the library’s amendment must be submitted for inclusion in the city’s amendment hearing. A legal form for requesting an amendment will be provided by the city.
Most cities routinely amend their budgets and library budget amendments should be included in these amendments. Amendments must be approved and published by city officials before May 31 of the current fiscal year, the statutory deadline for city budget amendments.
What is Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement?
Open Access provides Iowans with direct access to more library materials and information resources. Open Access is a lending program that enables eligible Iowans to visit participating libraries and directly check out library materials. As a result, Iowans have greater access to more library resources, more choices in library service, and the convenience of using a library where they work, shop, or visit.
Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement provides Iowa citizens with equal access to library resources by encouraging and supporting interlibrary loan among all types of libraries. Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement is a book-sharing subsidy program that gives Iowans equal access to library resources by supporting library resource sharing. Participating libraries agree to loan their materials to other libraries for use by their customers.
Please refer to the Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement Terms of Agreement for details.
Can a public library participate in Open Access or Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement if it does not participate in Direct State Aid?
As of July 1, 2017, public libraries will only be able to participate in the Open Access program if they are Tier 1 or higher. Tier 0 libraries may still participate in the Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement program.
Can other types of libraries participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement?
As of July 1, 2017, only public and academic libraries are eligible to participate in the Open Access program. All other libraries including K-12, AEA, special, or museum libraries will no longer be eligible to participate. All library types will still be eligible to participate in the Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement program after July 1, 2017.
What is Direct State Aid?
Direct State Aid provides financial support to public libraries from State of Iowa funds. It is carefully designed to:
- Improve public library service in Iowa by providing incentives
- Reduce inequities in access to information for Iowa residents
- Ensure local discretion in the use of resources
- Enhance, not replace local funding
- Include recognized and adopted library standards with graduated payment levels
Direct State Aid moves library service in Iowa closer to the ideal envisioned by library customers, librarians, and governmental officials. Each Iowan will have equal access to information and ideas in order to participate knowledgeably and productively in a democratic society and to lead an enriched life through lifelong learning. (Unified Plan for Library Service in Iowa, 1994)
Is my library eligible to receive Direct State Aid funds this fiscal year? (FY24)
To receive Direct State Aid for FY24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) the library must:
- Have been established two full years, or on or before July 1, 2020 in accord with the Code of Iowa. A copy of the library’s most recent ordinance or other legal documentation establishing it as a public library must be on file with the State Library.
- Submit an FY22 Public Library General Information Survey (“annual survey”) to the State Library by December 1, 2022.
- Return a signed Enrich Iowa Letter of Agreement for public libraries by April 30, 2023.
- Meet the standards requirements of Tier 1, 2 or 3.
- Participate in Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.
- Expend FY23 Direct State Aid funds by June 30, 2023.
- File FY23 Direct State Aid report by July 31, 2023.
What financial record keeping is required for Direct State Aid received in FY23?
The State Library, the Iowa General Assembly, and the Governor’s Office are interested in knowing the impact of Direct State Aid funding on your community.
The legislation requires each library to maintain a listing of the Direct State Aid payments received and expenditures made. This listing will be submitted to the State Library as part of the library’s final report due July 31, 2023. The State Library may ask your library for additional information for auditing purposes.
How did the State Library determine my library’s Tier Level?
To determine your library’s Tier Level, the State Library used the most recent accreditation report with information provided by your library in the Public Library General Information Survey (“annual survey”).
For questions about your library’s Tier Level, contact Scott Dermont at State Library of Iowa, 1112 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-7573, 800-248-4483, e-mail scott.dermont@iowa.gov.
What if my library does not meet the requirements of any Tier Level?
If a public library does not meet the requirements of at least Tier 1, the library is considered Tier 0 and is not eligible to receive Direct State Aid. Starting July 1, 2017, a Tier 0 public library will only be able to participate in the Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement program. Tier 0 libraries will not be eligible to participate in the Open Access program starting July 1, 2017. Effective July 1, 2006, a public library established on or after this date must be in operation for two years and must meet Direct State Aid Tier 1 requirements in order to participate in Open Access.
Are there any restrictions on the use of Direct State Aid funding?
Each local public library determines how to use Direct State Aid funding. Direct State Aid funding for FY24:
- Must be used to improve library service
- Must be spent by June 30, 2024
- Must supplement, not replace, any other funding received by the library
How much money will my library receive from Direct State Aid?
The amount of money each library receives is dependent on the:
- Amount of Direct State Aid funding available
- Tier status achieved by the library
- Number of libraries that apply for Direct State Aid funds
The State Library determines the amount each library receives using these steps:
- Determine the library’s Tier Level (based on information the library has submitted to the State Library). A public library must meet the requirements of at least Tier 1 to be a participant.
- Apply the Tier Level formula to determine the amount the library would receive if Direct State Aid were fully funded.
- Multiply the library’s full funding amount by the percentage of Direct State Aid funding available.
A Tier 0 library is considered ineligible for Direct State Aid funding.
How will the money be divided?
Direct State Aid is tied to the achievement of certain public library standards in
"In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016." The three-part funding formula includes:
- Base amount ($1,000, $2,000 or $3,000) dependent on compliance with three tiers of standards.
- Per capita amount ($0.20, $0.40 or $0.60) dependent on compliance with three tiers of standards. Certified decennial population figures from the Iowa Secretary of State’s office are used.
- Three percent (3%) of the amount of funding received by the library in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities. The percentage is the same for all tiers.
See below for a detailed description of requirements for Tiers 1, 2 and 3.
Tier 1 Requirements
To be eligible for Tier 1 funding, a public library must:
- Submit an annual survey
- Participate in the Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement programs
- Meet the following required Tier 1 standards from In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016.
| # | Tier 1 Standards (29) From In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016 |
|---|---|
| 1 | The library is governed by a library board of trustees. |
| 2 | The library board or other authority as defined by ordinance: Hires the library director; Delegates the active management of the library, including personnel administration, to the library director; Has legal authority over the library's budget and over all gifts, bequests, and donations. |
| 3 | The library board develops an annual budget. |
| 4 |
The library is funded by its city on a permanent basis. |
| 5 |
The library board has written bylaws that outline its operational procedures. These bylaws are reviewed at least every three years. |
| 6 | The library board meets no fewer than 10 times a year with the library director or designee in attendance. |
| 7 | The library board adopts four required written policies – circulation, collection development, personnel, and Internet use. Required policies are reviewed at least every three years. |
| 8 | All members of the library board participate in a variety of board development training each year. |
| 12 | The library director provides written financial and statistical reports for review at library board meetings. |
| 13 | The library follows statutory requirements as to fiscal year, audits, and budgeting, and submits annual and other reports as requested by its funding authorities. |
| 14 | The library director conducts an orientation program for new board members. |
| 20 | The library has a permanent, paid director who is endorsed at a required level. |
| 21 | The library has written job descriptions that include educational and experience requirements. |
| 22 | The director's performance is evaluated by the board at least annually. |
| 23 | The library allows the director to participate in continuing education opportunities during their work time. |
| 29 | The library determines its total annual circulation of library materials. |
| 30 | The library provides access to current local, county, and/or regional news sources. |
| 35 | The library offers public access Internet-enabled devices and staff trained in their use. Public access devices are located in a public area and designated exclusively for public use. |
| 36 | The library counts the total number of public uses of Internet-enabled devices in the library. |
| 37 | The library provides a printer for public use. The printer may be a shared staff/public device. |
|
47 |
The library has a telephone with voice mail capability that announces current hours, holidays, and other non-scheduled closures. |
| 48 | The library has an email address. |
| 49 | Library hours are posted and fixed based on users' and potential users' available time. |
| 50 | The library provides reference and readers’ advisory service to residents of all ages. Services are provided in person, by telephone, or electronically, during all hours the library is open. |
| 51 | The library has a current and maintained catalog of its holdings that is easy to use and independently accessible by the public. |
| 67 | The library provides a summer reading program for children they serve, or cooperates with other libraries or agencies to provide the program. |
|
78 |
The library provides a book return available to the public 24/7. It is recommended that a book return that is attached to the library or inside the building is fire retardant. |
| 79 | The library determines the number of people who come into the library each year. (Also known as door count) |
| 80 | The library board and director shall review at least one of the four priorities from the "ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities" at least every three years. |
Tier 1 Funding Example
Amounts listed below are an example only. Actual amounts will be determined during the year of payment. Amounts can fluctuate from year to year depending on Enrich Iowa Funding levels.
For FY24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024), there was $1,100,000 available for Direct State Aid which is approximately 34.97% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula. Therefore, libraries received approximately 34.97% of the amount they would receive with the formula.
- Base amount of $1,000 and
- $0.20 per capita and
- 3% of the amount of funding received by the library in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.
Tier 1 Example: Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6000 of county funding last fiscal year. The library complies with Tier 1 requirements. The formula is:
- Base amount for a Tier 1 library = $1,000
- Per capital amount for a Tier 1 library of 500 population ($.20 x 500) = $100
- County funding ($6000 county funding x .03) = $180
Direct State Aid at full funding should be ($1,000 + $100 +$180) = $1,280
Approximate percentage of funding available for FY23 = 34.97%
Approximate direct state aid in FY23 ($1280 x 0.3497) = $448.
Tier 2 Requirements
To be eligible for Tier 2 funding, a public library must:
- Meet all Tier 1 required standards
- Meet all of the following Tier 2 required standards from In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016
| # | Tier 2 Standards (12) From "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016." |
|---|---|
| 15 | The library director shares information with the board about the laws that affect library operations. |
| 16 | The library keeps its borrowers’ registrations up-to-date. Inactive registration records are removed at least every three years. |
| 17 | The library has a current written plan. |
| 24 | The library employs paid staff consistent with the table on page 13 of "In Service to Iowa." |
| 38 | The library provides wireless access for its customers. |
| 52 | The library has a current and maintained ONLINE catalog of its holdings that is easy to use and independently accessible by the public. |
| 53 | The library provides interlibrary loan services to customers of all ages. The library submits its holdings information to shared databases (such as OCLC or SILO) and participates as a lender and a borrower. |
| 54 | Minimum days and hours of service are consistent with the table on page 18 of "In Service to Iowa." |
| 55 | The library has allocated space for child and family use with all materials readily available and provides furniture designed for children's use. |
| 68 | The library provides free programming for library customers or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. |
| 69 | The library promotes its collections and services by using a variety of approaches to publicity. |
| 70 | The library develops community relations by regularly communicating with elected officials, business leaders, and civic organizations. |
Tier 2 Funding Example
Amounts listed below are an example only. Actual amounts will be determined during the year of payment. Amounts can fluctuate from year to year depending on Enrich Iowa Funding levels.
For FY24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024), there was $1,100,000 available for Direct State Aid which is approximately 34.97% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula. Therefore, libraries received approximately 34.97% of the amount they would receive with the formula.
- Base amount of $2,000 and
- $0.40 per capita and
- 3% of the amount of funding the library received in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.
Tier 2 Example: Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6,000 of county funding last fiscal year. The library complies with Tier 2 requirements. The formula is:
- Base amount for a Tier 2 library = $2,000
- Per capital amount for a Tier 2 library of 500 population ($.40 x 500) = $200
- County funding ($6000 county funding x .03) = $180
Direct State Aid at full funding should be ($2,000 + $200 +$180) = $2,380
Approximate percentage of funding available for FY24 = 34.97%
Approximate direct state aid in FY23 ($2380 x 0.3497) = $832
Tier 3 Requirements
To be eligible for Tier 3 funding, a public library must be fully accredited by the State Library of Iowa.
To Achieve Accreditation, a Library Must:
- Meet all standards marked as Tier 1-3 at the “Minimum required to meet standard” level or better where applicable.
-
Meet 20 of the remaining 38 standards.
-
Submit the application form to the State Library by the posted due date of the reporting year, usually the last day in February.
Accreditation certificates are issued by the State Library in June of each year. Accreditation is valid for three years.
Tier 3 and remaining standards are listed below.
| # | Tier 3 Standards (6) "From In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016." |
|---|---|
| 25 | The library has a planned orientation program for all new employees. |
| 31 | Every item in the library's collection is evaluated for retention, replacement, or withdrawal on a regular basis to determine its usefulness according to the library's collection development policy. |
| 32 | The library purchases or adds materials at regular intervals throughout the year to insure a steady flow of new materials. |
| 39 | The library maintains a current Website. |
| 56 | The library's ONLINE catalog is REMOTELY available to users. |
| 57 | All the library's services are available to all individuals when the library is open. |
| # | Non-Tier Standards - must meet a minimum of 20 of the 38 listed From "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, 6th edition, 2016." |
|---|---|
| 9 | The library board has written policies, as deemed appropriate for the library, and reviews them at least every three years. All policies are available to all staff members and for public inspection. |
| 10 | The library receives permanent and equitable funding for services to rural residents from the county (if not the establishing jurisdiction). This standard does not apply to city libraries in counties where there is a county library. |
| 11 | The library trustees attend county-wide trustee meetings, which should occur at least once per year. |
| 18 | The library director informs the board of pending library legislation on the local, state, and national levels to enable board members and staff to participate in the legislative process. |
| 19 | The library director attends county-wide director's meetings, which should occur at least once per year. |
| 26 | Other library employees are evaluated annually by the director or supervisor. |
| 27 | The library provides funding to enable the director and/or staff to join library professional organizations, attend library related conferences, or take advantage of CE opportunities. |
| 28 | The library allows staff at all levels (other than director - see #23) to participate in continuing education opportunities during their work time. |
| 33 | The library provides materials in formats appropriate to the needs of special population groups found in the community. |
| 34 | The library provides non-traditional physical collections for check out. |
| 40 | The library budgets for computer replacement on a regular basis. |
| 41 | The library sets aside a separate computer location for use by children and/or young adults. |
| 42 | The library provides computer and/or Internet training for its customers. |
| 43 | The library has access to broadband Internet access. |
| 44 | The library provides access to and promotes online database products. |
| 45 | The library provides access to and promotes a downloadable materials collection. |
| 46 | The library provides access to digitized local collections. |
| 58 | Residents of the community have free access to tax-supported public library services. |
| 59 | The library provides the necessary equipment to use any audiovisual materials in the library’s collection. |
| 60 | The library provides inside directional signs library. The library provides outdoor signs that identify the building as a public library including the library's service hours. |
| 61 | The library provides trained staff who are knowledgeable about reference and readers’ advisory print and electronic resources and who are able to assist customers of all ages during all open hours. |
| 62 | The building has public meeting space available for library programming and for use by other community groups. The meeting space should be a separate room to meet this standard. |
| 63 | The library allocates space and furniture for young adults with all materials readily available. |
| 64 | The library has a makerspace. |
| 65 | The library provides self-service or other kinds of automated equipment used to increase efficiency. |
| 66 | The library allows patrons to make payments using debit or credit cards. |
| 71 | The library offers outreach services. Outreach service includes collections and programming provided at other community locations. |
| 72 | The library provides children’s programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. |
| 73 | The library provides young adult programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. |
| 74 | The library provides adult programming free of charge or cooperates with other agencies to provide the programming. |
| 75 | The library collaborates with other organizations, including agencies that serve special populations, to improve library service. |
| 76 | The library accepts requests for reserves for library materials from cardholders of all ages in person, by telephone, or electronically (includes e-mail). |
| 77 | The library makes reasonable accommodations in order to provide access to its collections and services to persons with disabilities, and meets relevant requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. |
| 81 | The library provides adequate and convenient parking to the library’s customers on or adjacent to the library’s site. One parking space is available for every 500 square feet of building. |
| 82 | The library provides adequate handicapped accessible parking spaces in compliance with the table found on page 24 of "In Service to Iowa." |
| 83 | The library provides adequate public reader seating space. |
| 84 | The library provides adequate space for the staff to work in a non-public area. |
| 85 | The library director completes and shares a written space needs assessment with the board. To meet this standard, the assessment should be less than five years old. |
Tier 3 Funding Example
Amounts listed below are an example only. Actual amounts will be determined during the year of payment. Amounts can fluctuate from year to year depending on Enrich Iowa Funding levels.
For FY24 (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024), there was $1,100,000 available for Direct State Aid which is approximately 34.97% of the amount needed to pay according to the formula. Therefore, libraries received approximately 34.97% of the amount they would receive with the formula.
- Base amount of $3,000 and
- $0.60 per capita and
- .3% of the amount of funding the library received in the previous fiscal year for service to rural residents and to contracting communities.
Tier 3 Example: Any Town Public Library has a population of 500 and received $6,000 of county funding last fiscal year. The library complies with Tier 3 requirements. The formula includes:
- Base amount for a Tier 3 library = $3,000
- Per capital amount for a Tier 3 library of 500 population ($.60 x 500) = $300
- County funding ($6000 county funding x .03) = $180
Direct State Aid at full funding should be ($3,000 + $300 +$180) = $3,480
Approximate percentage of funding available for FY24 = 34.97%
Approximate direct state aid in FY24 ($3480 x 0.34.97) = $1,216
Updated 12/20/2024