TITLE 29

Libraries

CHAPTER 29-6

State Aid to Libraries

SECTION 29-6-3



   § 29-6-3  Eligibility requirements –

Municipalities. –

(a) To qualify for state aid under § 29-6-2, a city or town shall:



   (1) Appropriate from local tax revenues an amount not less

than the amount appropriated the previous year from local tax revenues and

expended for library operating expenses, except in the fiscal years ending June

30, 2009 and June 30, 2010, during which the amount appropriated from local tax

revenues is not less than eighty percent (80%) of the amount appropriated from

the previous year from local tax revenues and expended for library operating

systems. The appropriation would exclude any state funds received for public

library services. Any funds received from the state shall not be used to

supplant funds from local tax revenues;



   (2) In the case of a city or town having more than one free

public library therein, submit or cause to be submitted to the office of

library and information services a plan for the allotment or division of the

proposed state aid among the free public libraries in the city or town. The

plan shall be developed by agreement among the free public libraries of the

city or town;



   (3) Submit or cause to be submitted to the office of library

and information services evidence that free public libraries in the city or

town meet standards of service as set forth in regulations to be made by the

chief of library services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this

title or that the regulations are inappropriate for that library;



   (4) Submit or cause to be submitted a plan describing how the

public library or libraries plan to address one or more of the priorities

established by the office of library and information services.



   (b) The chief of library services upon application and for

cause shown may authorize an annual grant-in-aid under § 29-6-2, or a

portion thereof, to a city or town not fully meeting the requirements set forth

in paragraphs (1) – (3) of this subsection.



   (c) Decisions as to the eligibility of cities and towns for

grants-in-aid under this chapter, and the amounts of the grants-in-aid, shall

be made by the chief of library services.



   (d) The chief of library services shall require a

preservation plan from any public library which receives an appropriation from

the state of Rhode Island which states the preservation needs and objectives of

the library for the coming fiscal year. The plan shall include, but not be

limited to: condition of materials, assessment of building and environmental

controls, and preservation measures to be taken.



   (e) The chief of library services shall require a disaster

preparedness plan from any public library which receives an appropriation from

the state of Rhode Island which states the plan of action to be taken in the

event of a natural or human made disaster. The plan shall be in accordance with

a suggested plan published by the office. The plan shall be submitted no later

than January 1, 1993 and shall be updated yearly.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 6, art. 19, § 1; P.L. 1992,

ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 15, § 3; P.L. 2009, ch. 68,

art. 6, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, §

2.)