Chapter 04-563

2004 -- S 3224

Enacted 07/09/04

A N A C T

RELATING TO STATE AID TO LIBRARIES

Introduced By: Senator John C. Revens

Date Introduced: June 24, 2004

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 29-6-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 29-6 entitled "State Aid to

Libraries" is hereby amended to read as follows:

29-6-2. Public library services. – (a) For each city or town, the state's share to support

local public library services shall be equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount

appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year by the city or town from local tax

revenues and as to only the Providence public library, funds from the Providence public library's

endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation; provided, however, that as to

Providence public library, the state in any year shall not be obligated to match any amount from

the Providence public library's endowment that exceeds six percent (6%) of the three (3) year

average market value, calculated at the end of the calendar year, of the investments in the

endowment. The amount of the grant payable to each municipality in any year in accordance with

this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of those grants in any year

exceeds the amount appropriated that year for the purposes of this section.

(b) Those public libraries that do not qualify for aid pursuant to the provisions of

subsection (a) of this section may apply for resource sharing grants, to be used exclusively for the

purpose of payment of the cooperating libraries automated network (CLAN) annual assessment

charges. Eligible public libraries shall apply directly to the office of library and information

services for these resource sharing grants, and the grants shall be awarded to the libraries

individually, rather than to the city or town. Eligible libraries must be or become members of the

CLAN upon receipt of the grant, serve municipalities that meet minimum standards for Rhode

Island public libraries, and meet standards for member libraries of the library of Rhode Island

(LORI) network.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC03747

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