2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 29 - Libraries
CHAPTER 29-6 - State Aid to Libraries
§ 29-6-3 - Eligibility requirements – Municipalities.

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 director of state 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 director of the office of library and information 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 director of the office of library and information services.

   (d) The director of the office of library and information 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 director of the office of library and information 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.