§ 25:151 — Public libraries; disposition of unused books; purpose; definitions

§151. Public libraries; disposition of unused books; purpose; definitions
A. The legislature recognizes that reading is the foundation of all learning. It is the
purpose of this Section to provide greater access to that foundation to the citizens of
Louisiana by utilizing unused library books to improve reading achievement in the early
grades and to improve literacy among adults. It is intended that the library book dispositions
provided pursuant to this Section complement all reading initiatives and other literacy efforts
being made by the state of Louisiana to meet the demands of higher literacy among our
citizens.
B.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, each public library
in the state of Louisiana may dispose of any superseded, obsolete, unused, or otherwise
unnecessary book by permitting it to be claimed as provided in Paragraph (2) of this
Subsection.
(2) If a library book has been out of use for over a year, a public library may, with
the approval of the appropriate governing board, dispose of such book by making it available
to be claimed by any hospital, correctional facility, public or private institution, nonprofit
organization, adult education program, youth organization, school, or any individual for
private use free of charge.
(3)(a) The Webster Parish Library, subject to the approval of the Webster Parish
Library Board of Control, may sell any superseded, obsolete, or otherwise unnecessary book
in the possession of the library to any hospital, correctional facility, public or private
institution, nonprofit organization, adult education program, youth organization, school, or
individual.
(b) The proceeds collected from the sale of library books pursuant to Subparagraph
(a) of this Paragraph shall be remitted to the Webster Parish Library Board of Control and
shall be used exclusively for the maintenance, operation, and support of the Webster Parish
Library.
(4)(a) The Calcasieu Parish Library, subject to the approval of the Calcasieu Parish
Library Board of Control, may sell any superseded, obsolete, or otherwise unnecessary book
in the possession of the library to any hospital, correctional facility, public or private
institution, nonprofit organization, adult education program, youth organization, school, or
individual.
(b) The proceeds collected from the sale of library books pursuant to Subparagraph
(a) of this Paragraph shall be remitted to the Calcasieu Parish Library Board of Control and
shall be used exclusively for the maintenance, operation, and support of the Calcasieu Parish
Library.
(5)(a) The Livingston Parish Library, subject to the approval of the Livingston Parish
Library Board of Control, may sell any superseded, obsolete, or otherwise unnecessary book
in the possession of the library to any hospital, correctional facility, public or private
institution, nonprofit organization, adult education program, youth organization, school, or
individual.
(b) The proceeds collected from the sale of library books pursuant to Subparagraph
(a) of this Paragraph shall be remitted to the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control and
shall be used exclusively for the maintenance, operation, and support of the Livingston
Parish Library.
C.(1) A public library seeking to dispose of books as provided in Paragraph (B)(2)
of this Section shall do so by making all such books available to be selected for ownership
in a convenient location in the library.
(2) The Webster Parish Library may dispose of books as provided in Paragraph
(B)(3) of this Section by making such books available for purchase at a convenient location
to be determined by the Webster Parish Library Board of Control.
(3) The Calcasieu Parish Library may dispose of books as provided in Paragraph
(B)(4) of this Section by making such books available for purchase at a convenient location
to be determined by the Calcasieu Parish Library Board of Control.
(4) The Livingston Parish Library may dispose of books as provided in Paragraph
(B)(5) of this Section by making such books available for purchase at a convenient location
to be determined by the Livingston Parish Library Board of Control.
D. As used in this Section, "public library" shall include the State Library of
Louisiana, any parish or municipal library, and any college or university or school library.

Legislative History

Acts 1999, No. 682, §1, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2005, No. 15, §1, eff. July 1, 2005; Acts 2012, No. 80, §1, eff. July 1, 2012; Acts 2018, No. 36, §1.