Public Library Innovation Space Act

To amend the Museum and Library Services Act to authorize grants to support the use of public libraries for community economic development. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Library Innovation Space Act 2. Authorization of appropriations Subsection (a) of section 214 of the Museum and Library Services Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9123(a) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking and (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (3) to carry out chapter 5, $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022. . 3. Public Library Makerspace Grants Subtitle B of title II of the Museum and Library Services Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9101 5 Public library makerspace grant program 265. Public library makerspace grant program (a) Program authorized From the amounts provided under section 214(a)(3), the Director shall carry out a program under which the Director makes grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible partnerships to establish makerspaces at public libraries. (b) Applications To be considered for a grant under this section, an eligible partnership shall submit an application to the Director at such time, in such manner, and containing such information and assurances as the Director may require. (c) Selection of grantees In selecting eligible partnerships to receive grants under this section, the Director shall consider— (1) the viability of the partnership making the application; (2) the ability of the partnership to meet the matching requirement described in subsection (d); (3) the potential of the project to provide social and economic benefits to the local community; (4) the support of local communities, government, and partners for the project; (5) the project’s potential for strengthening the involvement of diverse and underserved communities in entrepreneurship and economic development; and (6) the ability of the project to continue after the end of the grant period. (d) Matching requirement (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), an eligible partnership shall contribute, for the activities for which the grant was awarded under this section, non-Federal matching funds in an amount equal to the amount of the grant. (2) Waiver The Director may waive the requirement of paragraph (1) for any eligible partnership that the Director determines does not have adequate resources to meet such requirement. (e) Reports Not less frequently than once annually, the Director shall submit to Congress a report that includes— (1) a description of the activities carried out with grants under this section; and (2) an assessment of the effect of the grant program on community economic development. (f) Treatment of makerspaces The use of a makerspace supported by a grant under this section shall not be treated as a private business use under section 141(b) (g) Prohibition on construction activities An eligible partnership that receives a grant under this section may not use grant funds, or matching funds contributed by the partnership under subsection (d), for construction activities at a public library that would provide extra square footage to house a makerspace. (h) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible partnership The term eligible partnership (A) an economic development corporation; (B) a local government; (C) a State government; (D) an elementary school or secondary school (as such terms are defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 (E) a museum; (F) an institution of higher education (as such term is defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1002 (G) a nonprofit organization; (H) a corporation; (I) other entities identified by the Director; or (J) a combination of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I). (2) Makerspace The term makerspace (A) tools, technology, and educational resources that are designed to enable such individuals to create physical goods, including prototypes; and (B) educational opportunities, including vocational training and assistance with early-stage business ventures. .

Summary: Public Library Innovation Space Act This bill requires the National Museum and Library Services Board to carry out a program for making competitive grants to eligible partnerships (composed of a public library and an economic development corporation, a local government, a state government, an elementary or secondary school, a museum, an institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization, a corporation, and/or other entities identified by the Board) to establish makerspaces at public libraries. A makerspace is a facility (which may be at a fixed location or a mobile unit) that is open to the public and provides individuals with access to: (1) tools, technology, and educational resources designed to enable such individuals to create physical goods, including prototypes; and (2) educational opportunities, including vocational training and assistance with early-stage business ventures. A partnership must contribute, for the activities for which the grant was awarded, nonfederal matching funds equal to the grant amount. Each eligible partnership that receives a grant may not use its grant funds, or the matching funds contributed by it, for construction activities at a public library that would provide extra square footage to house a makerspace.