N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-5.2

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 15:21-5.2 - Eligible projects

(a) The following projects are eligible for a grant:

1. Construction of a new building;

2. Acquisition of an existing building adaptable for use as a public library;

3. Addition to an existing building; or

4. Renovation of an existing building.

(b) All projects shall meet the minimum size criteria in N.J.A.C. 15:21-5.4(f).

(c) The acquisition or substantial renovation of an existing structure may be an eligible project. If eligible, the acquisition or the renovation must be extensive and clearly not routine maintenance and repair. In no case may costs for furnishings and equipment in excess of 30 percent of the total renovation costs of the project be considered eligible for matching.

(d) An application(s) may be submitted combining renovation and construction of an addition. An acquisition or renovation application must result in total floor space which, when added to the floor space of the existing structure, shall meet the minimum size criteria in N.J.A.C. 15:21-5.4(f).

(e) A renovation analysis and program must be prepared by a registered architect and shall be part of the application. The architect shall also certify that the proposed renovated structure and all its component parts shall have a life expectancy of 20 years or more. Studies made by the architect regarding the following shall be submitted in substantiation of the suitability and practicality of the acquisition or renovation:

1. The building shall be examined to determine that it is structurally sound;

2. The building shall be examined to determine if it is suitable for acquisition or renovation and upon completion will require no more than normal, annual maintenance;

3. Careful analysis of the space requirements and allocation of space shall be made to determine if the structure, as acquired or renovated, will meet modern concepts of library services to the community it serves;

4. All mechanical aspects of construction shall be carefully analyzed to determine the need for replacement or improvement.

(f) Minimum size for any new construction project shall be 3,500 square feet of floor space.

(g) Preliminary applications may be accepted for review which, while being innovative or providing a unique service fail to meet the criteria outlined in this section. Exceptions may be considered where the public library building program demonstrates initiative and seeks to solve local problems in an original or cost-effective manner.

(h) The signing of construction contracts before full approval by the State Librarian shall make the project ineligible.

(i) A school-public library combination is ineligible for grant funding.

N.J. Admin. Code § 15:21-5.2

As amended, R.1983 d.198, eff. 6/6/1983.
See: 15 New Jersey Register 196(a), 15 New Jersey Register 890(c).
Deleted ineligibility of school libraries and public-school library combinations to receive construction grants. Renumbered old (d)-(g) as new (d)-(f).
Amended by R.1990 d.179, effective 3/19/1990.
See: 21 New Jersey Register 3822(a), 22 New Jersey Register 921(c).
Recodified from 6:68-5.3 and amended by R.1995, d.290, effective 6/5/1995.
See: 27 New Jersey Register 620(a), 27 New Jersey Register 2202(a).
Amended by R.2000 d.145, effective 4/3/2000.
See: 32 New Jersey Register 174(a), 32 New Jersey Register 1244(b).
In (a), substituted a reference to projects for a reference to types of construction in the introductory paragraph; and added (i).