Complaint Policy
Complaints about the LSTA program may be forwarded to the LSTA Grants Coordinator who will prepare a response that is then reviewed and approved by the PLSNB Branch Director. The request is then reviewed and approved by the State Librarian who will respond to the request. Copies of the complaint and response are retained in the LSTA files per Federal requirements.
Access for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
Title VI prohibits discrimination in any program or activity that receives Federal financial assistance. In most cases, when a recipient receives Federal financial assistance for a particular program or activity, all operations of the recipient are covered by Title VI, not just the part of the program that uses federal assistance. Thus, all parts of the recipient's operations would be covered by Title VI, even if the Federal assistance were used only by one part. Title VI and the IMLS implementing regulations require that recipients take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access to the information, programs, and services they provide.
Indirect Costs
The Maryland State Library Agency allows public libraries to claim indirect cost rates for federal and state grants at no more than the de minimus rate of 10 percent.
Conflict of Interest
As a grant reviewer for the Maryland State Library Agency (MSLA), you may receive a grant application for review which could present a conflict of interest. Such a conflict could arise if you are involved with the applicant institution or in the project described in the application, as a paid consultant, or through other financial involvement. The same restrictions apply if your spouse or minor child is involved with the applicant institution, or if the application is presented on behalf of an institution with which you, your spouse, or minor child is negotiating future employment. Grant reviewers with a conflict of interest must promptly notify the PLSNB Branch Director by email and remove themselves from the grant review process.
Non-financial Conflict of Interest
Through prior association as an employee or officer, you may have gained knowledge of the applicant that would preclude objective review of its application. Past employment does not by itself disqualify a reviewer so long as the circumstances of your association permit you to perform an objective review of the application. If you have recently applied for a position at an applicant institution and question whether or not you can remain objective toward that institution, you may want to exempt yourself from the review of that application. If you believe you may have a conflict of interest with any application assigned to you for review, please notify the PLSNB Director.
Record Retention Requirements for All LSTA-funded Grants
Taken from 2 CFR §215.53
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to an award shall be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report or, for awards that are renewed quarterly or annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, as authorized by the Federal awarding agency. The only exceptions are the following. (1) If any litigation, claim, or audit is started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved and final action taken. (2) Records for real property and equipment acquired with Federal funds shall be retained for 3 years after final disposition. (3) When records are transferred to or maintained by the Federal awarding agency, the 3-year retention requirement is not applicable to the recipient. (4) Indirect cost rate proposals, cost allocations plans, etc. as specified in 2 CFR §215.53(g).
