Athlete and Entertainer Funds Transferred to Public Libraries

In fiscal year 2009, the State Library again received a portion of appropriated funds collected as a result of the income tax on out of state athletes and entertainers (A & E). A total of $876,719 was distributed in May to those public libraries certified for state aid in FY09. Individual library payments were calculated from a formula based on a library’s facilities and collection expenditure reported on the FY08 annual statistical survey.

A & E funds cannot replace local funding for materials that have been identified in the library’s current budget. However, these funds may be expended for approved library materials, such as books, audio materials, e-books and, if the content is owned by the library, e-audio. Ineligible materials include electronic databases and other subscription content. Given the current economic downturn, this would be a good time to consider purchase of materials to assist job hunters, upgrade skills and other related, high-interest topics.

Please advise your accounting office to track receipt of these funds and expenditures in the appropriate fiscal year for your library. Libraries are expected to expend these funds by December 31, 2009. Libraries must also track and report this payment as well as the subsequent materials expenditure on the annual statistical survey.

Each library’s payment amount and date of the funds transfer is shown on the list at http://www.sos.mo.gov/library/development/eftpayments/2009/FY09_Athlete_Payments.pdf.