This program will replace the reimbursement system currently in place for public libraries. The passage of this act affirms the importance and contributions of libraries in the advancement of the state. Although there have been various cooperatives functioning in the state for many years they are primarily in public libraries. LoC has been expanded to include school, academic and special libraries as well. Each region will have its own organizational structure consisting of by-laws, Councils and Boards of Directors, and each regional plan must be approved by the Library of California Board.
Membership is purely voluntary, but there is no membership fee.
Each library that decides to participate will identify what it can share, such as databases, facilities, reference or special collections expertise, and determine how it will share those materials beyond its own walls and clients. As members of the Regional Library Network, the libraries can receive services designed to enable the sharing of information among libraries statewide, including document delivery, telecommunications, back-up information service, and training. There is an effort for all member libraries to obtain equitable access to the resources and services through a telecommunications infrastructure. This would apply especially to rural libraries which are not physically located near major library collections. The individual library also becomes eligible for grants that support resource-sharing.