Project Requirements

Eligibility for the TSLAC-sponsored Family Place Libraries™ Project requires the following:

• Maintain a minimum of two qualified staff members.
• Require one staff member to dedicate approximately 25% staff time to the development and maintenance of the space for a period of three years.
• Dedicate two qualified staff members to attend and complete the Family Place Libraries™ Training Institute.

Through their governing authority, accredited public libraries are eligible to apply for funds. Public library applicants must be accredited by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission for the fiscal year in which the grant contracts are issued.

Family Place requires a maximum of two qualified staff members to attend training – one library administrator and one library staff member who dedicates approximately 25% staff time to the development and maintenance of the space for a period of three years.

During the course of training, participants will:

• Commit to attending the Training Institute and completing makeup work for any sessions missed.
• Execute a contract with TSLAC to receive up to $6,700. This includes $6,000 in reimbursed funds to develop the Family Place Program and up to $700 in travel stipends. The contract must be executed by an official of the library’s governing authority authorized to enter into this agreement. The executed contract must be returned to TSLAC prior to the commencement of training.

Within Six (6) Months post training, participants will:

• Register for the TSLAC Grant Management Series of training webinars and complete webinars on Communications, Contract Overview, and Financial Management & Reporting.
• Encumber the $6000 for items recommended during the training by July 31st.
• Report on expenditures in accordance with the requirements and timeline provided by TSLAC.
• Develop a Family Place Libraries™ Plan for the library.
• Create and maintain a family friendly, interactive public space within the Children’s area of the library in accordance with information provided during the training as well as local recommendations and guidance regarding safety and health.
• Develop a Parenting Collection in or adjacent to the library Children’s area.
• Provide in-house library staff orientation about Family Place Libraries™.

Within One (1) Year post training, participants will:

• Develop coalitions/partnerships with community agencies as described during the training.
• Plan, advertise, and implement Parent-Child Workshops as described during the training.

Within Three (3) Years post training, participants will:

• Plan, advertise, and implement Parent-Child Workshops as described during the training.
• Engage in support and consulting provided by staff from the Middle Country Public Library.
• Work with Middle Country Public Library to coordinate a site visit approximately 18 months after the training.
• Maintain documentation regarding implementation of their Family Place Plan and report annual statistics related to the Parent-Child Workshop, Early Childhood Programs, Space Usage, Collaborations and Outreach Efforts, as required by the Middle Country Public Library.
• Complete all required state and Family Place Evaluations and Progress Reports about their Family Place Library.
• Replace and refresh the materials and resources in the early learning center, as needed.
• Train additional staff as needed to sustain the program in the event of a staff member leaving.

Visit the Family Place Libraries™ Project Resources page for the latest news and links to the application, dashboard, trainings, and more.

*NOTE: Watching the most recent grants training before beginning the application is strongly recommended.