From Buzzy.NIELSEN at slo.oregon.gov  Mon May  4 15:42:07 2026
From: Buzzy.NIELSEN at slo.oregon.gov (NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO)
Date: Mon, 4 May 2026 22:42:07 +0000
Subject: [PL-Directors] You're invited! State Library open house on May 21
Message-ID: <BLAPR09MB60835EC054F41093AABAE8B9DC312@BLAPR09MB6083.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>

Hi folks,

The Library Support and Development Services division of the State Library of Oregon is having an open house on Thursday, May 21, 1:00-4:00, at the State Library Building in Salem, Oregon. This will be an informal, drop-in event, so there's not set schedule. It's the first open house we've held at the building since before the COVID-19 pandemic!

You'll have the opportunity to meet our staff and library folks from other Oregon libraries, learn what each division of the State Library does, and tour our historic building. Any staff, volunteers, etc. from Oregon libraries are welcome to attend.

If you think you're going to attend, please fill out this RSVP form<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/LibrarySupportAndDevelopmentDivisionOpenHouseRSVP>.  Filling out the form doesn't obligate you to attend, and you're welcome to attend even if you don't fill out the form! We just want to get an idea of how many people to expect.

Directions to the State Library and parking options are about half-way down the Visiting the State Library page<https://www.oregon.gov/library/operations/Pages/Visiting-the-State-Library.aspx>.

Stay tuned for future State Library open houses in Salem and beyond in the months and years to come. We're looking forward to connecting and re-connecting with y'all!

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>
Work Schedule: Mon-Thu 8-5.30, Fri 8-2.30
[Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon]<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>


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From Buzzy.NIELSEN at slo.oregon.gov  Mon May  4 15:44:33 2026
From: Buzzy.NIELSEN at slo.oregon.gov (NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO)
Date: Mon, 4 May 2026 22:44:33 +0000
Subject: [PL-Directors] Public comment open for Ready to Read Grant
 administrative rules revisions
In-Reply-To: <BLAPR09MB6083C224F4367EDCF7830C4EDC49A@BLAPR09MB6083.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
References: <BLAPR09MB6083C224F4367EDCF7830C4EDC49A@BLAPR09MB6083.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>
Message-ID: <BLAPR09MB60834AF349B342D7482714A3DC312@BLAPR09MB6083.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>

Reminder that public comment is open for proposed revisions to the Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) governing the Ready to Read Grant program. Comments will be accepted through approximately 9.30a on Friday, 5/15. You may also testify in a hearing at the State Library Board meeting on 5/15.

Details are below. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Cheers!
Buzzy


From: NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 12:24 PM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov; Public Library Directors announcement list (pl-directors at omls.oregon.gov) <pl-directors at omls.oregon.gov>; 'kids-lib at omls.oregon.gov' <kids-lib at omls.oregon.gov>; 'oyan at omls.oregon.gov' <oyan at omls.oregon.gov>; Ready to Read Grant list (R2R-OR at omls.oregon.gov) <R2R-OR at omls.oregon.gov>; Summer Reading Program (SRP) list (or-srp at omls.oregon.gov) <or-srp at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Public comment open for Ready to Read Grant administrative rules revisions

** 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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