National Endowment for the Art and Humanities – Provides $150 million to state arts and humanities agencies to provide grants and support arts organizations, museums, libraries, and other organizations during the coronavirus crisis. The bill includes $75 million for the National Endowment for the Arts and $75 million for the National Endowment of the Humanities.
Admittedly, this program might be difficult to navigate, but it may be worth looking into for reimbursement of emergency protective measures. In accordance with section 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the “Stafford Act”), eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the COVID-19 emergency at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA’s Public Assistance program. This is not an endorsement that all libraries should apply, but merely another option.
Libraries that have access to 3D printers for N95 masks or maker spaces for sewing masks are encouraged to donate them through this program. Please work with your local officials first if your county is in need of PPE, but if you have additional PPE to donate, consider this option:
Donate PPE through this partnership today
Resources
ALA
CDC Resources
Newly Released "Decision Tree" pages for assistance in re-opening plans:
News/Events/Timeline
September 25, 2020 Florida is operating under Phase Three.
May 15, 2020 Governor DeSantis moves to "Full Phase One" and executive order 20-123; of note, libraries may open at no more than 50% occupancy (and may operate only if permitted by local government). Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Initial Phase One.
April 29, 2020 Governor DeSantis issues early phase of reopening guidelines to begin May 4; of note libraries may open at no more than 25% of their building occupancy. The plan said local public museums and local public libraries may operate only if permitted by local government. Child play areas must remain closed.
April 27, 2020 SBA opens PPP application process after 2nd round of small business stimulus signed into law
April 24, 2020 Lisa O'Donnell, CAE, Executive Director and FLA President Eric Head featured in interview with The Florida Channel's Capitol Update sharing how libraries have responded amidst COVID-19
April 22, 2020 COVID-19 Research Partnership to Inform Safe Handling of Collections, Reopening Practices for Libraries, Museums
April 16, 2020 Governor DeSantis issued an executive order suspending a requirement for unemployment benefits recipients be “actively seeking work.”
April 16, 2020 Small Business Administration announces they will no longer accept applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Update above on April 27.
April 8, 2020 Unemployment forms available at Palm Beach County libraries
April 6, 2020 Miami-Dade Public Library System to provide Reemployment Assistance Applications at 26 library locations
April 2, 2020 Governor DeSantis signs Reemployment Assistance Executive Order 20-93 for DEO services to improve, making paper applications available
April 1, 2020 Governor DeSantis signs Stay-at-Home Executive Order 20-91 for non-essential services
March 27, 2020 President signs into law CARES Act
March 27, 2020 Governor DeSantis issued Executive Orders #2020-86 and #2020-87, ordering 14-day isolation for anyone entering Florida from various states
March 25, 2020 President approves Florida's Major Disaster Declaration
March 20, 2020 FLA Board of Directors releases Statement on Library closures in Florida
March 20, 2020 FLA Board of Directors Reschedules Annual Conference from May 13-15 to October 28-30
March 17, 2020 ALA Executive Board Recommends Closing Libraries to Public;The American Library Association (ALA) Executive Board released this statement March 17 in support of libraries and library workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
March 16, 2020 Governor Ron DeSantis Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19
March 15, 2020, the CDC recommended gatherings of 50 people or more be cancelled. FLA is currently evaluating possible scenarios for the FLA Annual Conference May 13-15 and will update you as soon as possible.
March 12, 2020, ALA cancelled National Library Legislative Day, previously scheduled to take place May 4-5, 2020.
March 11, TXLA cancelled is Annual Conference, previously scheduled March 24-27, 2020.
March 9, FLA offers message on website regarding implementations if CDC Guidelines for FLA Annual Conference.
The American Library Association is encouraging libraries to share how after closing they've continued to serve their communities virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some examples of virtual services might include virtual story-time, parking-lot Wifi, etc.
Please use this form to share your library’s story along with any photos, or on social media using the hashtag #LibrariesStrong. Your responses may be used on ALA sites and social media channels.
Reaching FLA
We know it's important for you to be able to reach us. The FLA office will be operating as close to normal as possible, but we might be working remotely some days over the next several weeks. Please continue to reach out and we'll do our best, as always, to answer your questions:
[email protected]
(850) 270-9205
We'll work through this together!