§ 23-503

(a) (1) The entire capital and operating cost of the minimum library program for this State as a whole shall be shared as provided in this subsection.

(2) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the State shall provide:

(i) Approximately 40 percent of the total cost of the minimum program; and

(ii) Not less than 20 percent of the cost of the minimum program in any county.

(3) The counties participating in the program together shall provide through local taxes approximately 60 percent of the total statewide cost of the minimum program.

(b) (1) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, each county public library system that participates in the minimum library program shall be provided for each resident of the county, to be used for operating and capital expenses:

(i) For each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015 – $14.00;

(ii) For fiscal year 2016 – $14.27;

(iii) For fiscal year 2017 – $14.54;

(iv) For fiscal year 2018 – $15.00;

(v) For fiscal year 2019 – $15.50;

(vi) For fiscal year 2020 – $16.00;

(vii) For fiscal year 2021 – $16.43;

(viii) For fiscal year 2022 – $17.10;

(ix) For fiscal year 2023 – $17.50;

(x) For fiscal year 2024 – $17.90;

(xi) For fiscal year 2025 – $18.30;

(xii) For fiscal year 2026 – $18.70; and

(xiii) For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter – $19.10.

(2) (i) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, the State shall share in this amount.

(ii) Any county may provide an amount greater than its share under the cooperative program, but the State may not share in the excess.

(c) Any employer Social Security contributions required by federal law for any employee in a county public library system shall remain the obligation of the employer.

(d) (1) Receipt of State funding for a county library system that participates in the minimum library program under this section is contingent on the board of library trustees adopting a written policy for operation of the county library system that is consistent with the State standards for libraries.

(2) (i) The Comptroller shall withhold all State funds from a county library system that the State Library Board certifies has failed to meet the State standards for libraries.

(ii) The Comptroller shall continue to withhold funds under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph until the State Library Board certifies that the county library system has adopted a written policy consistent with the State standards for libraries.