§ 29-3.1-4.1. Powers and duties of library board.
(a) The library board shall communicate with, and seek the advice of, the chief of library
services and all those concerned with, and affected by, its determinations as a regular
procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting policy. The library board,
however, shall not engage in the operation or administration of any library.
(b) The library board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis
addressed to every aspect of public library development and interlibrary cooperation
and resource sharing in this state, especially as that information relates to current
and future library and information service needs, so that current needs may be met
with reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise
in the most efficient and economical manner possible;
(2) To approve a master plan defining broad goals and objectives for public library development
and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in the state. These goals and objectives
shall be expressed in terms of the library and information services to which individuals
will have access. The library board shall continually evaluate the efforts and results
of the library and information services in the light of these objectives;
(3) To approve board policy to implement the goals and objectives established and adopted
by the library board from time to time; and to adopt and require enforcement of standards
and regulations for public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource
sharing;
(4) To determine priorities of expenditures of state revenues and other public resources
made available for the support of public library development and interlibrary cooperation
and resource sharing purposes; provided that nothing contained in this subsection
shall authorize the library board to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise
provided by law;
(5) To approve annually the program for the use of federal funds submitted to the United
States Institute of Museum and Library Services;
(6) To establish such committees as necessary or desirable for the conduct of any or all
aspects of public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing,
and to determine all powers and functions as well as composition of committees established
and to dissolve the committees when their purpose shall have been fulfilled; provided
that nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to grant the library board
the power to establish subcommittees performing the duties and functions of local
boards of trustees;
(7) To exercise the following functions, powers, and duties:
(i) To be responsible for the distribution of state aid funds for public library development
and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(ii) To approve standards and regulations for public library development and interlibrary
cooperation and resource sharing;
(iii) To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to public library services and interlibrary
cooperation and resource sharing; and
(iv) To decide and determine appeals from decisions relating to libraries of the chief
of library services;
(8) To exercise all other powers with relation to the field of public library development
and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing within this state not specifically
granted to any other department, board, or agency, and not incompatible with law,
which the library board may deem advisable;
(9) To otherwise promote maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of public library
services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in the state;
(10) To submit within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report
to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the
senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The
report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held,
and meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulations
promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified,
and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all
funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff
supported by these funds and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical
support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including
accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions
or other legal matters related to authority of the council; a summary of any training
courses held pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this title; a briefing on
anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations
for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the general assembly
and secretary of state's websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement
of the provisions of this subsection; and
(11) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six
(6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by
the chair of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chair of the board.
The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to
assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following
areas: the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38; and the board's rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration
shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [March 31, 2006],
prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.