[PL-Directors] Public comment open for Ready to Read Grant administrative rules revisions

[NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO]

** Please forgive cross-postings **

Hi folks,

The State Library of Oregon proposes revisions to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) governing the annual Ready to Read Grants distributed to public libraries. These OARs implement the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) for "Financial Assistance for Public Library Services to Children," ORS 357<https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors357.html>.740-780. More information about the rules revision process can be found on our Administrative Rules page<https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/Pages/Administrative-Rules.aspx>.

Public comment on the proposed revisions is now open. Sections under revision include:


  *   Division 40 - Ready to Read Grants
     *   543-040-0005<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134394> Scope
     *   543-040-0010<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=272412> Definitions
     *   543-040-0015<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134401> Authorized Activities
     *   543-040-0020<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134406> Population Determination
     *   543-040-0023<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134411> Square Mileage Determination
     *   543-040-0025<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134412> Grant Restrictions
     *   543-040-0030<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134415> Grant Applications
     *   543-040-0035<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134424> Grant Appeals
     *   543-040-0040<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=134427> Distribution Schedule
  *   Division 80 - Public Libraries
     *   543-080-0040<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=329782> Population Determination for Public Libraries

Proposed changes are as follows:


  *   Update the rules to match current practice for Ready to Read Grants.
  *   Make definitions consistent with definitions elsewhere in the Administrative Rules.
  *   Add new definitions, including for "federated library system" and processes by which such systems access grants. "Federated library system" includes entities such as Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, Umatilla County Special Library District, and Coos County Library Service District.
  *   Use actual dates rather than referring to the fiscal year.
  *   Move or refer population calculation-related provisions to Division 80: Public Libraries, which contains other provisions about population calculation.
  *   Set a hard due date of September 30 for grant applications.
  *   Change grant appeals process to go to the State Librarian rather than the State Library Board.

Documents available for review:


  *   Notice of proposed rulemaking<https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewRedlinePDF.action?filingRsn=62112> (PDF)
  *   Proposed changes<https://slo.oregon.gov/ld.php?content_id=84332546> (PDF)
  *   Proposed changes with markup<https://slo.oregon.gov/ld.php?content_id=84332518> (PDF)

Public comments can be submitted in the following ways:


  *   Using the public comments form<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/SubmitPublicCommentOnAdministrativeRules>. Public comments submitted by 12:00 PM (noon) on Friday, April 17, 2026, will be included in the packet for the State Library Board meeting on May 15, 2026. Comments will be accepted on the form until May 15, 2026, approximately 9:30 AM.
  *   Attending the hearing (in person or remotely) held during the State Library Board meeting on May 15, 2026, at approximately 9:05 AM. Please contact Susan Westin (susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:susan.westin at slo.oregon.gov> or 503-378-5435) or Jessica Sokoloff (jessica.sokoloff at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:jessica.sokoloff at slo.oregon.gov> or 503-378-5015) for more information.

Public comments will close at the end of the hearing held at the State Library Board meeting on May 15, 2026, at approximately 9:30 AM.

Huge thanks to the volunteers on our rules advisory committee: April Spisak (Albany), Susie Hansen (Umatilla), Meg Spencer (Siuslaw), Victoria Campbell (Beaverton), Jane Ellen Innes (Jefferson County), and Marian Rose (Seaside). Their feedback was invaluable both for the proposed rules language and making sure that libraries have the information they need to apply for the grants.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Cheers!

Buzzy Nielsen, MPP, MSI (he/him/his)
Program Manager for Library Support and Tribal Liaison
State Library of Oregon
buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov> | 971-375-3486 (text ok)
www.oregon.gov/library/libraries<https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>

[Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon]<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>


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