The Department, in addition to the functions specified in section 605 of this title:
(1)Shall administer any grants-in-aid to libraries that may be available from State funds, and may prepare plans and applications to obtain federal aid monies that may be available.
(2)Shall provide consultative services to other libraries in the State, and shall encourage formation of central records of library holdings.
(3)Shall promote improved communications among libraries in the State as well as cooperative use of facilities.
(4)May provide facilities in cooperation with other libraries for storage of little-used materials.
[Subdivision (5) effective until January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (5) effective January 1, 2025 set out below.]
(5)May conduct seminars, workshops, and other programs to
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The Department, in addition to the functions specified in section 605 of this title:
(1) Shall administer any grants-in-aid to libraries that may be available from State funds, and may prepare plans and applications to obtain federal aid monies that may be available.
(2) Shall provide consultative services to other libraries in the State, and shall encourage formation of central records of library holdings.
(3) Shall promote improved communications among libraries in the State as well as cooperative use of facilities.
(4) May provide facilities in cooperation with other libraries for storage of little-used materials.
[Subdivision (5) effective until January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (5) effective January 1, 2025 set out below.]
(5) May conduct seminars, workshops, and other programs to increase the professional competence of librarians in the State.
[Subdivision (5) effective January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (5) effective until January 1, 2025 set out above.]
(5) Shall provide a continuing education program for a Certificate in Public Librarianship. The Department shall conduct seminars, workshops, and other programs to increase the professional competence of librarians in the State.
(6) May receive and administer gifts of real and personal property accepted by the Governor on behalf of the State under 29 V.S.A. § 101.
(7) May dispose of by sale or exchange, or may discard, material that is obsolete or has ceased to be useful, because of its physical condition or otherwise. Any proceeds from the sale or disposition of materials shall be credited to a special fund established and managed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, and shall be available to the Department for the purchase of library materials.
[Subdivision (8) effective until January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (8) effective January 1, 2025 set out below.]
(8) Shall be the primary access point for State information, and provide advice on State information technology policy.
[Subdivision (8) effective January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (8) effective until January 1, 2025 set out above.]
(8) Shall provide advice on State information technology policy.
[Subdivisions (9) through (11) effective January 1, 2025.]
(9) May develop and adopt model policies for free public libraries concerning displays, meeting room use, patron behavior, internet use, library materials selection, and other relevant topics, as well as procedures for the reconsideration and retention of library materials, to ensure compliance with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Vermont laws prohibiting discrimination in places of public accommodation.
(10) Shall adopt a material selection policy and procedures for reconsideration and retention that reflect Vermont’s diverse people and history, including diversity of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, and political beliefs.
(11) May develop best practices and guidelines for public libraries and library service levels. (Added 1969, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 31, 1970; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 4(a), 11, eff. May 6, 1996; 1997, No. 59, § 15, eff. June 30, 1997; 2009, No. 33, § 44; 2009, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 6, 2010; 2023, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. January 1, 2025.)