Service Target: Public libraries

Contact Persons: Laura DeBaun, Associate Director,  and Patti Poe, Continuing Education Consultant

Purpose and Use: To improve and continue the education and training of library personnel.

Can you apply for this program?

Public libraries that are NEKLS members are eligible if:

  1. The library is in a community with less than 5,000 population AND
  2. The library has no more than 2.5 FTE staff (total paid staff time is no more than 100 hours per week).

The program must be used for continuing education activities or for legislative advocacy events, such as Legislative Day, and participation in NEKLS committee meetings.  It is primarily designed for use by library directors. It cannot be used for vacation coverage, sick days, or to have an “extra” staff member.

How does it work?

Libraries are encouraged to sign up for the substitute librarian program at the beginning of the year. Money is available to allow payment for up to 12 continuing education days per library.

Libraries are responsible for finding and training (locally) their own substitute. NEKLS will provide financial support of $8.00 per hour with no benefits.  Substitute librarians can be paid in two ways:

  1.  Libraries can choose to pay the substitute directly and can request reimbursement on a Substitute Librarians reimbursement form.  Funds MUST be used for that purpose. If libraries choose to pay less, they can apply for reimbursement only for the amount actually paid.
  2. Or, a library can choose not to add the substitute to the library payroll.  NEKLS will pay these substitutes as NEKLS employees.  This requires a completed W4 form, a completed K4 form, and a completed I9 form. Timesheets should be sent to the NEKLS office by the 12th of the month to be included in that month’s NEKLS payroll.

Need help with this program?

System staff are available to help with payroll issues, or for training and other questions.  Contact Laura DeBaun for payroll questions; Jim Minges or Mickey Coalwell for all other questions.

DEADLINES

Reimbursement checks are issued on the third Thursday of every month.  Requests for reimbursements should be sent to the system office by the second Thursday of the month.  Substitutes being paid as NEKLS employees are paid on the 15th of every month.  All hiring paperwork must be completed and time sheets need to be received by the 12th of the month to be paid in that month.

TO PARTICIPATE

Contact the NEKLS office to arrange participation for your library.