Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-25
AND STILL ANOTHER
 PLACE IS EXEMPTED.
State Library Committee Needn't
 Consult Civil Service.

Attorney General George F. Hinman in an opinion given to Secretary E.. A. Wright of the civil serv1ce commission defines what the statutes mean when they authorize a commission to em- ploy clerical assistance without Spe- officially creating the position of clerk. The attorney general says that when the term clerical assistance" is used the law authorizes the appointment of a clerk. The question raised by Mr Wright refers to the Connecticut pub lie library committee and Mir. Hinman says its clerk is eXcmpt from the op- eration of the civil service law.
 The opinion of the attorney general is:
 'In your letter of the 9th inst. you ask my opinion as to whether a clerk appointed by the Connecticut public library committee should be exempted by the civil service commission, under the provisions of section of chapter 232 of the public acts of 1913 as amended by section , of chapter of the public acts O. 1915. upon receipt by the commission of written notice. of pointing such clerk.
 Your inquiry appears to me to pre- sent two questions: First whether the Connecticut public library committee is a department, board. or comm:s- sion within the nearing of said sec J. CT it is authorized by law to appoint a clerk
 Said committee, under chapter 9s of the public acts Of 1905 and amend ments thereof, which superseded prior statutory enactmcnts on the subject, pointed by the state boar1 Of educa- tion. Its duties, as prescribed by statute, include giving to communities advice and assistance in the organiza- ton, establishment and administra- tion of free public libraries, ir. select ing and cataloging books, and in 1i- brary management, visiting and in specting libraries, and suggesting iTl- provementS therein. It is also author ized to purchase and arrange books and pictures to be loancd to such pub lie libraries, schools, associations and individuals as the committee may se- feet. The committee is required to annually report it's foings to the gov ernor, and is authorized to expenG a sum not exceeding s4,060 for the p.ir- poses above referred to, and fer cleri- cal assistance and incidental and ncc- essary expenses incurred in the dIs- charge of it's duties. Said committee, therefore, has definite and important duties to perform, independent of any other authority or department, and may, I think. fairly be regarded as a department or board within the pur- view of said section of the civil ser vice law.
 As to whether said committee is authorized oy law to appoint a clerk in my opinion tia above mentioned provision of the statute that it may expend money for clerical assistance constitutes a sufficient authorization, by law, for the appointment of a clerk, especially in view of the fact that it's statutory duties are such that the e!n- ployment of a clerk or clerks is obvi- ously necessary.
 T am, therefore, of the opinion that said committee is authorized by law to appoint a clerk, and that one clerk so appointed should be exempted by your commission, under said section 3, upon the receipt of proper notice of such exemption from the appointing auth or- ity'.l5 -I --e