Source: http://www.ahcuah.com/lawsuit/statutes/3375.htm
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 21:02:38+00:00

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§ 3375.01 State library board.
A state library board is hereby created to be composed of five members to be appointed by the state board of education. One member shall be appointed each year for a term of five years. No one is eligible to membership on the state library board who is or has been for a year previous to his appointment a member of the state board of education. A member of the state library board shall not during his term of office be a member of the board of library trustees for any library in any subdivision in the state. Before entering on the duties of his appointment, each member shall subscribe to the official oath of office. All vacancies on the state library board shall be filled by the state board of education by appointment for the unexpired term. The members shall receive no compensation, but shall be paid their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties or in the conduct of authorized board business, within or without the state.
At its regular meeting next prior to the beginning of each fiscal biennium the state library board shall elect a president and vice-president each of whom shall serve for two years or until his successor is elected and qualified.
(A) Maintain the state library, holding custody of books, periodicals, pamphlets, films, recordings, papers, and other materials and equipment. The board may purchase or procure from an insurance company licensed to do business in this state policies of insurance insuring the members of the board and the officers, employees, and agents of the state library against liability on account of damage or injury to persons or property resulting from any act or omission of the board members, officers, employees, and agents of the state library in their official capacity.
(G) Upon application of one or more boards of library trustees and in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, to amend, define, and adjust the boundaries of the library districts making such application and the boundaries of adjacent library districts. A library district boundary change made by the state library board pursuant to this division shall take effect sixty days after the day on which two certified copies of the boundary change order in final form are filed on the same date with the secretary of state and with the director of the legislative service commission unless a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 3375.03 of the Revised Code.
(K) In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, adopt such rules as are necessary for the carrying out of any function imposed on it by law, and provide such rules as are necessary for its government and the government of its employees. The board may delegate to the state librarian the management and administration of any function imposed on it by law.
(H) Withdraw books and materials from the collection and determine method of disposition of any items no longer needed.
The state librarian shall hold office during the pleasure of the board.
§ 3375.03 Referendum against transfer of territory to another library district.
Unless the transfer of certain library territory pursuant to division (G) of section 3375.01 of the Revised Code has been agreed to by the affected boards of library trustees, a referendum petition against the transfer of the territory to another library district, signed by qualified electors of the territory to be transferred and equal in number to at least ten per cent of such electors who voted in the last gubernatorial election may be filed with the library board of the territory's current library district within sixty days after certified copies of the boundary change order have been filed in final form with the secretary of state, and the order shall not become effective until after the outcome of the referendum procedure prescribed in this section.
Each part of a petition filed pursuant to this section shall contain a full and correct title of the petition, a brief summary of its purpose, and a statement by the person soliciting signatures for the petition, made under penalty of election falsification, certifying that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, each signature contained in the petition is that of the person whose name it purports to be, that each such person is an elector residing in the territory subject to transfer entitled to sign the petition, and that each such person signed the petition with knowledge of its contents. The petition may contain additional information that shall fairly and accurately present the question to prospective petition signers.
A petition against the transfer of territory currently located in the . . .
board to the . . . . . . . library district.
approval or rejection at the next primary or general election.
that such person signed the petition with knowledge of its contents.
SIX MONTHS, A FINE OF NOT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, or BOTH."
The person presenting a referendum petition under this section shall be given a receipt containing the time of day and the date on which the petition is filed with the library board and noting the purpose of and the number of signatures on the petition. The secretary of the library board shall cause the board of elections of the county or counties in which the territory to be transferred is located to check the sufficiency of signatures on such petition, and if these are found to be sufficient, he shall present the petition to the library board at a meeting of the board, which shall occur not later than thirty days following the filing of the petition with the board. The board shall promptly certify the question to the board of elections of the county or counties in which the territory to be transferred is located for the purpose of having the proposal placed on the ballot within such territory at the next general or primary election occurring not less than sixty days after the certification.
to be transferred) library district?
board and to the library boards of the affected library district.
If a majority of electors voting on the question vote in favor of the transfer, the transfer shall take effect on the date of the certification of the election to the state library board. If a majority of the voters voting on the question do not vote for the transfer, the transfer shall not take place.
§ 3375.04 Control and management of state library.
The state library shall be under the control and management of the state library board. The board shall make and publish such rules and regulations for the operation and management of the library and for the use and location of the books and other property thereof as it deems necessary. The board may establish such divisions and departments within the library as it deems necessary, and shall determine the number of the employees therein.
§ 3375.05 Application for establishment of library stations, branches, or traveling library service.
The board of trustees of any public library receiving money from a county's library and local government support fund that desires to render public library service by means of branches, library stations, or traveling library service to the inhabitants of any school district, other than a school district situated within the territorial boundaries of the subdivision or district over which said board has jurisdiction of free public library service, may make application to the state library board, upon forms provided by said board, for the establishment of such service. Said application shall set forth the total number of people being served by said library on the date of said application; an inventory of the books owned by said library; the number of branches, library stations, and traveling library service maintained by said library on the date of said application; the number and classification of the employees of said library and such other information as the state library board deems pertinent. Such application shall be accompanied by a financial statement of the library making the application covering the two fiscal years next preceding the date of said application. Upon receipt of said application by the state library board, the state librarian, or an employee of the state library board designated by such librarian, shall visit the library making the application for the purpose of determining whether or not the establishment of branches, library stations, or traveling library service as requested in said application will promote better library service in the district covered by said application. Upon the completion of such inspection, the librarian, or the person designated by the librarian to make such inspection, shall prepare a written report setting forth his recommendations pertaining to the establishment of the branches, stations, or traveling library service as set forth in the application. Such report shall be submitted to the state library board within ninety days after the receipt of such application by the state library board. Within thirty days after such report has been filed with the state library board, said board shall either approve or disapprove, in whole or in part, the establishment of branches, library stations, or traveling library service as requested in said application. The decision of the state library board shall be final. Within ten days after final action has been taken by the state library board, upon such application, the librarian shall notify in writing the board of trustees of the public library making such application of the decision of the state library board.
The state library board may withdraw its approval of library service rendered by any library to the inhabitants of a school district other than the school district in which the main library of such library is located. At least thirty days before the approval of such service may be withdrawn, the state library board shall give written notice to the board of trustees of the library rendering the service and the board of education of the school district to which such service is being rendered. Such notice shall set forth the reasons for the withdrawal of the approval of such service. If the board of trustees of the library rendering such service, or the board of education of a school district to which such service is being rendered objects to the withdrawal of such approval it may, within twenty days of the receipt of such notice, request, in writing, the state library board to hold a hearing for the purpose of hearing protests to the withdrawal of such approval. Upon the receipt of such request, the state library board shall set the time and place of such hearing which shall be held within the territorial boundaries of the school district being served by the branch, station, or traveling library service whose continued operation is in question. Such hearing shall be held not less than thirty days after the receipt by the state library board of the request for such hearing. The state library board shall take no action on the withdrawal of approval of such service until after the holding of such hearing. The decision of the state library board shall be final.
§ 3375.06 County free public library; appointment of trustees.
In any county in which the board of county commissioners has accepted a gift or bequest, pursuant to volume 122, Ohio Laws, page 166, section 1 at "Sec. 2454," a county free public library shall be established for the use of all of the inhabitants of the county. Such library shall be under the control and management of a board of library trustees consisting of six members. Such trustees shall be qualified electors of the county and shall be appointed by the court of common pleas of the county in which such library is situated. Not more than three of the members of such board of library trustees shall be of the same political party. They shall serve for a term of six years. All vacancies on such board of library trustees shall be filled by such court by appointment for the unexpired term. The members of such board of library trustees shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The board of library trustees shall organize as provided by section 3375.32 of the Revised Code. Such board of library trustees shall have the control and management of the county free public library, and in the exercise of such control and management shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code. This section does not affect the term of any member of a board of library trustees of a county free public library appointed prior to September 4, 1947.
§ 3375.07 Tax levy for maintenance of county free public library.
The board of county commissioners of any county in which there has been created a county free public library, pursuant to section 3375.06 of the Revised Code, may, at its June session each year, levy a tax not to exceed one mill on each dollar of taxable property in such county for the purpose of maintaining the library. The proceeds of such tax levy shall be paid over by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the board of trustees of the county free public library.
§ 3375.08 Board of county commissioners may transfer and lease property for library purposes.
The board of county commissioners may, by resolution, transfer, convey, or lease any property of the county, real or personal, suitable for public library purposes, to the board of trustees of any free public library rendering free public library service to all the inhabitants of the county, upon such terms as are agreed upon between the board of county commissioners and the board of library trustees of the library rendering such service.
§ 3375.09 Tax levy by board of township trustees for maintenance of library.
In any township where a public library has been created by a vote of the electors thereof, prior to September 4, 1947, the board of township trustees may, annually, levy upon all the taxable property of such township a tax not exceeding one mill on the dollar valuation thereof to maintain such library and to procure suitable rooms therefor.
§ 3375.10 Control and management of township library; appointment of trustees.
In any township in which there has been established by a vote of the electors of such township, prior to September 4, 1947, a free public library, such library shall be under the control and management of a board of trustees consisting of three members to be appointed by the board of township trustees. Such members shall be qualified electors of the township. All vacancies on such board of trustees shall be filled by the board of township trustees by appointment. The members of such board of trustees shall serve without compensation. Such board of trustees shall organize in accordance with section 3375.32 of the Revised Code and shall have the control and management of the township free public library. In the exercise of such control and management the board of trustees shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code. This section does not affect the term of any member of a board of library trustees of a township free public library appointed prior to September 4, 1947.
§ 3375.11 Board of township trustees may transfer, convey, or lease property for library purposes.
The board of township trustees may, by resolution, transfer, convey, or lease any property of the township, real or personal, suitable for public library purposes to the board of trustees of any free public library rendering free public library service to the inhabitants of the township, upon such terms as are agreed upon between the board of township trustees and the board of trustees of the library rendering such service.
§ 3375.12 Erection, custody, and control of municipal free public libraries; appointment of trustees.
Except as provided in section 3375.13 of the Revised Code, the erection and equipment and the custody, control, and administration of free public libraries established by municipal corporations shall be vested in a board of library trustees composed of six members. In any municipal corporation whose elected officials are nominated as candidates of political parties, not more than three of the library trustees shall belong to the same political party. The trustees shall be appointed by the mayor, to serve without compensation, for a term of four years. In the first instance three of the trustees shall be appointed for a term of two years, and three for a term of four years. Vacancies shall be filled by like appointment for the unexpired term. The board shall organize in accordance with section 3375.32 of the Revised Code. In the exercise of its control and management of the municipal free public library, except as provided in section 3375.13 of the Revised Code, the board shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.121 Creation of municipal libraries.
(A) In any municipal corporation, not located in a county library district, which has a population of not less than twenty-five thousand, and within which there is not located a main library of a township, municipal, school district, association, or county free public library, a library district may be created by a resolution adopted by the legislative authority of such municipal corporation. No such resolution shall be adopted after one year from June 20, 1977. Upon the adoption of such resolution, any branches of an existing library which are located in such municipal corporation shall become the property of the municipal library district created.
The municipal corporation and the board of trustees of the public library maintaining any existing branches in such municipal corporation shall forthwith take appropriate action transferring all title and interest in all property, both real and personal, located in such municipal corporation in the name of the library district maintaining such branches in such municipal corporation to the municipal corporation adopting the appropriate resolution. Upon transfer of such title and interest in such property they shall become a part of, and be operated by, the board of trustees appointed by the mayor.
(B) In any municipal corporation which has a population of less than twenty-five thousand and which has not less than one hundred thousand dollars available from a bequest for the establishment of a municipal library, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation may adopt, within one year after June 20, 1977, a resolution creating a library district. Upon the establishment of any such library, the board of trustees of any library operating a branch library in such municipal corporation shall not be required to transfer any property to the newly established library.
(C) The board of library trustees of any library created under this section shall be composed of six members. Such trustees shall be appointed by the mayor, to serve without compensation, for a term of four years. In the first instance three of such trustees shall be appointed for a term of two years, and three for a term of four years. Vacancies shall be filled by like appointment for the unexpired term. A library district created under this section shall be governed in accordance with and exercise such authority as provided for in sections 3375.32 to 3375.41 of the Revised Code.
(D) Any library district created under this section is eligible to participate in the proceeds of the county library and local government support fund in accordance with section 5705.28 of the Revised Code.
(4) The library does not receive any proceeds from the library and local government support fund under section 5747.48 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.13 Issuance of bonds; control of property vested in board of library trustees of municipal corporation; agreement with library organization.
In any municipal corporation where there is a library organization created by will or otherwise for the purpose of maintaining in perpetuity a public library, and such organization is endowed and owns and maintains a library, the board of library trustees mentioned in section 3375.12 of the Revised Code may request the taxing authority of the municipal corporation to submit to the electors the question of issuing bonds, in accordance with section 3375.43 of the Revised Code for the purpose of purchasing, erecting, constructing, enlarging, extending, or improving a building for library purposes, including a site therefor, and equipping and furnishing the same. The acquisition of such improvement, including the maintenance and control of the building and property acquired, shall be vested in such board. Such board may enter into an agreement in writing with such library organization whereby said library organization may occupy all or a part of such building, and conduct, operate, and maintain therein a free public library, the period of each such agreement to be not less than ten nor more than twenty-five years. Such library organization shall administer, operate, and control such library in accordance with said agreement and in terms of the trust creating such organization, providing such library is free to all the inhabitants of the municipal corporation. Such board may enter into a similar agreement with any historical or other educational association whereby a part of said building may be used by such organization for the housing and displaying of its property and effects, providing the same is free to all the inhabitants of the municipal corporation.
The board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district may provide for the establishment, control, and maintenance of school libraries for the purpose of providing school library service to the pupils under its jurisdiction. Such board of education may contract with any public board, association, or other organization operating a public library in a community to furnish such school library service, the board of education paying all or such part of the expense thereof, including the salaries of school librarians, as compensation for the service rendered, as the two boards shall agree upon as terms of the contract, provided that nothing in this section shall prevent such public board, association, or other organization operating a public library from providing classroom collections, operating bookmobiles, branches, or the main library of a public library, notwithstanding the fact that such branches or main library may be located within a school building.
Such board of education may purchase, erect, construct, enlarge, extend, or improve buildings for library purposes, including sites therefor, and equip and furnish such buildings.
§ 3375.15 School district public library; trustees.
In any school district in which a free public library has been established, by resolution adopted by the board of education of such school district, prior to September 4, 1947, such library shall be under the control and management of a board of library trustees consisting of seven members. No one is eligible to membership on such board of library trustees who is or has been for a year previous to his appointment a member of a board of education making such appointment. A majority of such trustees shall be qualified electors of the school district, but a minority may be qualified electors of the county who reside outside the school district, and all shall be appointed by the board of education of the school district. Such trustees shall serve for a term of seven years and without compensation. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all vacancies on such board of library trustees shall be filled by the board of education by appointment for the unexpired term. Such board of library trustees shall organize in accordance with section 3375.32 of the Revised Code. Such board of library trustees shall have the control and management of the school district free public library and in the exercise of such control and management shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41 of the Revised Code. This section does not affect the term of any member of a board of library trustees of a school district free public library appointed prior to September 4, 1947.
The board of education shall make appointments to the board of library trustees not later than forty-five days after the date a member's term expires or after the date a vacancy occurs, whichever is applicable. If the board of education does not make an appointment by that time, the appointment shall be made within the next fourteen days by the probate court of the county in which the library is situated.
§ 3375.16 Board of education may transfer, convey, or lease property for library purposes.
The board of education of any school district may, by resolution, transfer, convey, or lease any property of the school district, real or personal, suitable for public library purposes to the board of trustees of any free public library rendering free public library service to the inhabitants of the school district, upon such terms as are agreed upon between the board of education and the board of trustees of the library rendering such service.
§ 3375.17 Tax levy by board of education for library purposes.
The board of library trustees of a school district free public library may annually, during the month of May, certify to the board of education of the school district the amount of money required to maintain and operate said library during the ensuing year and the amount of revenue anticipated from all sources other than a tax levy on the taxable property of said school district. The board of education may annually levy a tax on the taxable property of the school district, not to exceed one and one-half mills, for the purposes of providing funds for library operation pursuant to said certification. The tax so levied shall be in addition to all other levies authorized by law.
The proceeds of such tax levy shall be paid by the county treasurer to the treasurer of the board of library trustees.
§ 3375.18 Building and operation of libraries by boards of education.
The board of education of any city, exempted village, or local school district may purchase, erect, construct, enlarge, improve, equip, and furnish buildings, and acquire real estate and interest in real estate therefor, for the purpose of rendering free [public] library service to the inhabitants of said school district, which library facilities shall be operated by the board of library trustees of such school district if a free public library was established by the board of education of such school district prior to September 4, 1947, or otherwise may be operated, under conveyance, lease, or otherwise, by the board of trustees of any free public library, library association, or corporation upon such terms as they may agree upon, provided, that the board of education of the school district finds and determines that such operation by such board of trustees will be beneficial to the school district and the residents thereof.
§ 3375.19 Creation of county library district.
(A) The board of county commissioners may initiate the creation of such a county library district by adopting a resolution providing for the submission of the question of creating a county library district to the electors of such proposed district. Such resolution shall define the territory to be included in such district by listing the school districts which will compose the proposed county library district.
(B) The board of county commissioners shall, upon receipt of a petition signed by no less than ten per cent, or five hundred, whichever is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the proposed county library district voting at the last general election, adopt a resolution providing for the submission of the question of creating a county library district to the electors of the proposed district. Such resolution shall define the territory to be included in such district by listing the school districts which will compose the proposed county library district.
Upon adoption of such a resolution authorized in either division (A) or (B) of this section the board of county commissioners shall cause a certified copy of it to be filed with the board of elections of the county prior to the fifteenth day of September. The board of elections shall submit the question of the creation of such county library district to the electors of the territory comprising such proposed district at the succeeding November election.
If a majority of the electors, voting on the question of creating such proposed district, vote in the affirmative such district shall be created.
§ 3375.20 Resolution by boards of library trustees requesting formation of county library district.
In any county in which there is not in existence a county library district and in which all of the local, exempted village, and city school districts in the county, in which there is not located a main library of a township, municipal, school district, association, or county free public library, are receiving approved service from one or more of such libraries, there may be created a county library district.
The boards of trustees of the library or libraries providing approved library service to the school districts in the county in which there is not located a main library of a township, municipal, school district, or county free public library may adopt a resolution requesting the formation of a county library district composed of all of the school districts being served by such library or libraries. Such resolution or resolutions shall set forth the school districts to be included in the proposed county library district and it shall be submitted to the taxing authority of the subdivision or subdivisions having jurisdiction over the library or libraries requesting the formation of such proposed library district.
Within thirty days after the receipt of such resolution by the taxing authority of a subdivision it shall either approve or disapprove the formation of the proposed county library district as set forth in said resolution. Within ten days after a taxing authority has either approved or disapproved the formation of a proposed county library district it shall notify the board of county commissioners of the county in which such proposed library is to be situated of its action.
If all of the taxing authorities to which such proposal has been submitted approve of the creation of such county library district, such district is created and the board of county commissioners shall immediately notify the boards of library trustees initiating such proposed county library district and the taxing authorities which approve the formation of such county library district that such county library district has been created.
Upon receipt of such notice from the board of county commissioners the boards of library trustees initiating such proposed county library district and the taxing authorities which approve the creation of such county library district shall take appropriate action transferring all title to the interest in all property, both real and personal, in the name of the public libraries under their jurisdiction to the board of trustees of the county library district.
For the purposes of this section the board of county commissioners is the taxing authority of an association library.
§ 3375.201 Resolution for creation of county district library; submission to electors.
The taxing authority of a subdivision maintaining a free public library which is providing approved library service and whose board of library trustees therefor is qualified under section 3375.20 of the Revised Code to request the formation of a county library district shall, upon receipt of a petition signed by not less than ten per cent, or five hundred, whichever is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the subdivision voting at the last general election, adopt a resolution providing for the submission of the question, "Shall the free public library of the subdivision become a county district library?". The taxing authority shall cause a certified copy of it to be filed with the board of elections of the county prior to the fifteenth day of September. The board of elections shall submit the question of the creation of such county district library to the electors of the subdivision maintaining said free public library at the succeeding November election.
If a majority of the electors, voting on the question of creating such county district library, vote in the affirmative, the board of trustees of the library and the taxing authority of the subdivision shall establish a county library district in the manner prescribed in section 3375.20 of the Revised Code, by adopting and approving the resolutions so authorized.
§ 3375.21 Resolution for inclusion in county library district.
In any county in which there has been created a county library district, the taxing authority of any subdivision of the county not included in said library district and maintaining a free public library for the inhabitants thereof may, upon request of the board of trustees of said free public library, adopt a resolution providing for the inclusion of said subdivision in said library district. Upon the adoption of such a resolution, the taxing authority of the subdivision and the board of trustees of the free public library shall take appropriate action transferring all title and interest in all property, both real and personal, in the name of said free public library to the board of trustees of the county library district. Upon the transfer of such title and interest in such property said subdivision shall become part of the county library district.
§ 3375.211 Resolution for inclusion of subdivision; submission to electors.
The taxing authority of any subdivision maintaining a free public library for the inhabitants thereof and whose board of library trustees is qualified under section 3375.21 of the Revised Code to request inclusion of the subdivision in a county library district shall, upon receipt of a petition signed by qualified electors equal in number to at least ten per cent of the qualified electors of the subdivision voting at the last general election, adopt a resolution providing for the submission of the question of the inclusion of the subdivision in such county library district to the electors of the subdivision.
The taxing authority shall cause a certified copy of the resolution to be filed with the board of elections of the county prior to the fifteenth day of September. The board of elections shall submit the question of the inclusion of the subdivision in such county library district to the electors of the subdivision at the succeeding November election.
If a majority of the electors, voting on the question of including the subdivision in such county library district, vote in the affirmative, the taxing authority of the subdivision and the board of trustees of the free public library shall include the subdivision in the county library district in the manner prescribed in section 3375.20 of the Revised Code by adopting and approving the resolutions so authorized.
Unless more than thirty per cent of the votes cast on the question of including the subdivision in the county library district are in the affirmative, the same issue shall not be submitted to the electors of the subdivision for three years following an election in which the question was defeated.
§ 3375.212 Consolidation; adoption of resolutions; submission to electors; duties of boards of library trustees.
(A) The board of public library trustees of the county library district may submit a resolution to the board of library trustees of such subdivision requesting such consolidation. The library trustees of the subdivision within thirty days of receipt of the resolution shall approve or reject such resolution; and, if approved shall forward the resolution together with a certification of its action to the taxing authority of said subdivision. Said taxing authority within thirty days of receipt of such resolution and certification shall approve or reject it and so notify the board of library trustees of the county district library and the board of county commissioners.
(B) Upon receipt of such resolution, under division (A) of this section the board of library trustees of the subdivision may request the taxing authority of the subdivision to adopt a resolution providing for the submission of the question of consolidation to the electors of the subdivision.
The taxing authority in turn shall adopt such a resolution and shall cause a certified copy of the resolution to be filed with the board of elections of the county prior to the fifteenth day of September. The board of elections shall submit the question to the electors of the subdivision at the succeeding November election.
(C) The board of county commissioners and the taxing authority of the subdivision, upon receipt of petitions signed by not less than ten per cent, or five hundred, whichever is the lesser, of the qualified electors in the county library district and not less than ten per cent, or five hundred, whichever is the lesser, of the qualified electors of the subdivision, voting at the last general election, shall adopt resolutions providing for the submission of the question of consolidation to the electors of the county library district and of the subdivision.
Each taxing authority in turn shall cause a certified copy of its resolution to be filed with the board of elections of the county prior to the fifteenth day of September. The board of elections shall submit the question of the consolidation of the county library district and the subdivision to the electors of the county library district and of the subdivision at the succeeding November election.
If under division (A) of this section the board of library trustees and the taxing authority of said subdivision approve the request for consolidation, or if under division (B) of this section a majority of the electors of the subdivision vote in favor of the consolidation, or if under division (C) of this section a majority of the electors of the county library district and a majority of the electors of the subdivision vote in favor of the consolidation, such consolidation shall take place. The taxing authority of the subdivision or the board of elections, whichever the case may be, shall notify the county commissioners and the respective library boards.
The board of library trustees of the county library district, the board of library trustees of the subdivision and their respective taxing authorities shall take appropriate action during the succeeding December, transferring all title and interest in all property, both real and personal, held in the names of said library boards to the board of trustees of the consolidated county library district, effective the second Monday of the succeeding January.
The board of library trustees of the county library district and the board of library trustees of the subdivision shall meet jointly on the second Monday of the succeeding January.
Acting as a board of the whole, the two boards shall become the interim board of library trustees of the consolidated county library district whose terms shall expire the second Monday of the second January succeeding the election at which the consolidation was approved. The board shall organize itself under section 3375.32 of the Revised Code and shall have the same powers, rights, and limitations in law as does a board of library trustees appointed under section 3375.22 of the Revised Code. In the event of a vacancy on the interim board the appointment shall be made by the same taxing authority which appointed the trustee whose place has become vacant and shall be only for the period in which the interim board is in existence.
At least thirty days prior to the second Monday of the second January succeeding the election at which the consolidation was approved, the board shall request the county commissioners and the judges of the court of common pleas to appoint a regular board of library trustees of seven members under the provisions of section 3375.22 of the Revised Code. The terms of said trustees shall commence on the second Monday of the January last referred to above. The control and management of such consolidated county library district shall continue to be under section 3375.22 of the Revised Code.
For the purposes of this section, whenever a county library district is consolidated with a subdivision other than a school district, the area comprising the school district in which the main library of said subdivision is located shall become a part of the county library district.
§ 3375.213 Assets, liabilities, levies.
Whenever a county library district has been created, or enlarged, under sections 3375.20, 3375.201 [3375.20.1], 3375.21, 3375.211 [3375.21.1], or 3375.212 [3375.21.2] of the Revised Code, all assets and liabilities of the former board of trustees of the library or libraries of the subdivisions which comprise said county library district shall become those of the county library district.
Any levies which the taxing authorities of such subdivision or of the former county library district have been authorized by the electors of the subdivision or of the former county library district to make for the payment of current expenses, interest, and retirement of bonds, or any other indebtedness of said boards of trustees shall thereafter be made upon the taxable property of all of the new or enlarged county library district and at such lesser rate as is necessary for the payment of such expenses, bonds, or indebtedness.
§ 3375.22 Control and management of library in county library district; appointment of trustees.
In any county in which there has been created a county library district, the free public library of said district shall be under the control and management of a board of library trustees consisting of seven members. Such trustees shall be qualified electors of the library district or county. Three shall be appointed by the judges of the court of common pleas and four shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners of the county in which said district is situated. The term of office of said trustees shall be seven years, except that at the first appointment the terms of those appointed by the judges shall expire in two, four, and six years respectively, and the terms of those appointed by the board of county commissioners shall expire in one, three, five, and seven years respectively. Any appointment made to fill a vacancy shall be made by the same body which appointed the trustee whose place has become vacant and shall be for his unexpired term. The successor of any trustee of any county library district shall be appointed by the same board or officers which appointed his predecessor and all subsequent appointments shall be for seven years. The members of such board of library trustees shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such board of library trustees shall organize in accordance with section 3375.32 of the Revised Code. Such board of library trustees shall have the control and management of the county district free public library and in the exercise of such control and management shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.23 Tax levy by board of county commissioners for county library district.
The board of library trustees of a county library district may annually, during the month of May, certify to the board of county commissioners of the county in which such district is situated the amount of money required to maintain and operate the free public library during the ensuing year and the amount of revenue anticipated from all sources other than a tax levy on the taxable property of said district. The board of county commissioners may annually levy a tax on the taxable property of the district not to exceed one mill for the purpose of providing funds for library operation pursuant to said certification. The tax so levied shall be in addition to all other levies authorized by law.
§ 3375.24 Issuance of notes and bonds; sale of real property.
The board of county commissioners of any county which has a county library district constitutes the taxing authority of such district and may issue notes and bonds of such district under Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, for the acquisition of land and the construction of buildings and equipment of one or more buildings, but no notes or bonds shall be issued for such purpose except in accordance with the vote of the electors of such district. The proceeds of the sale of any former site, including land or buildings, or both, belonging to the district, may be applied to reduce the amount of the bonds ultimately issued to refund the notes issued under such section. All funds provided by the issue of county bonds or notes, or in any other manner, for the acquisition of property and the construction and equipment of library buildings shall be deposited in a special library fund, which shall be expended only on the order of the board of library trustees of the county library district, to be handled and disbursed in the same manner as other funds of the district. The title of all property so acquired shall be held by the board of library trustees of the county library district, and section 307.03 of the Revised Code shall not apply.
Former RC § 3375.25 provided for the issuance of four year notes for the construction of county library district buildings. Former RC ' 3375.26 provided a special library fund for the acquisition, construction and equipping of county library buildings.
§ 3375.27 Amended and renumbered.
§ 3375.28 Creation of regional library district.
The board of county commissioners of two or more contiguous counties may by joint resolution create a regional library district and may provide for the establishment, control, and maintenance in such district of a free public library.
Such district shall contain the territory of all school districts of such counties outside the territorial boundaries of a subdivision or district maintaining a free public library, including the territory of any such subdivision or district maintaining a free public library and petitioning to become a part of such regional library district pursuant to section 3375.29 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.29 Resolution by taxing authority for inclusion in regional library district; transfer of title.
In any county comprising a part of a regional library district or in any county contiguous to such a county in which there has been created a regional library district, the taxing authority of any subdivision of the county, not included in said district and maintaining a free public library for the inhabitants thereof, may, upon request of the board of trustees of said free public library, adopt a resolution providing for the inclusion of said subdivision in the regional library district. Upon the adoption of such a resolution, the taxing authority and the board of trustees of the free public library shall take appropriate action transferring all title and interest in all property, both real and personal, in the name of said free public library to the board of library trustees of the regional library district. Upon the transfer of such title and interest in such property said subdivision shall become part of the regional library district.
§ 3375.30 Appointment, term, and compensation of board of library trustees of a regional library district.
In any two or more contiguous counties in which there has been created a regional library district, there shall be a board of library trustees consisting of seven members. Such trustees shall be qualified electors of the district. The first appointments to such board of library trustees shall be made by the boards of county commissioners of such counties in joint meeting. Thereafter each appointment to fill an expiring term shall be made by the board of county commissioners of a participating county in the rotating order represented by the alphabetical arrangement of the names of the counties. The term of office of said trustees shall be seven years, except that at the first appointment the terms must be such that one member retires each year. Any appointment made to fill a vacancy shall be made by the same body which appointed the trustee whose place has become vacant and shall be for his unexpired term. The members of such board of library trustees shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Such board of library trustees shall organize in accordance with section 3375.32 of the Revised Code. Such board of library trustees shall have the control and management of the regional district free public library and in exercise of such control and management shall be governed by sections 3375.33 to 3375.41, inclusive, and section 3375.19 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.31 Tax levy by board of county commissioners for regional library district.
The board of library trustees of a regional library district may annually, during the month of May, certify to the boards of county commissioners of counties in such district the amount of revenue anticipated from all sources other than a tax levy on the taxable property of such district. The boards of county commissioners may annually levy a tax on the taxable property of such district situated within their respective counties, not to exceed one mill, for the purpose of providing funds for library operation pursuant to said certification.
§ 3375.32 Meeting of boards of library trustees; organization; election of clerk; bond.
Each board of library trustees appointed pursuant to sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22 and 3375.30, of the Revised Code shall meet in January of each year and organize by selecting from its membership a president, a vice-president, and a secretary who shall serve for a term of one year. At the same meeting each board shall elect and fix the compensation of a clerk, who may be a member of the board, and who shall serve for a term of one year. The clerk, before entering upon his duties, shall execute a bond in an amount and with surety to be approved by the board, payable to the board, and conditioned for the faithful performance of the official duties required of him.
§ 3375.33 Boards of library trustees are bodies politic and corporate.
The boards of library trustees appointed pursuant to sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22, and 3375.30 of the Revised Code are bodies politic and corporate, and as such are capable of suing and being sued, contracting, acquiring, holding, possessing, and disposing of real and personal property, and of exercising such other powers and privileges as are conferred upon them by law.
§ 3375.34 Name of board of library trustees.
The board of trustees of a free public library, appointed pursuant to sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22, and 3375.30 of the Revised Code, shall designate the name under which it may acquire or convey property, contract, sue or be sued, or perform any other official act. If the board does not designate a name, the library shall be known as the . . . . . . . public library, with the blank being filled in with the name of the subdivision which created the library.
§ 3375.35 Rules of procedure; annual report.
Each board of library trustees appointed pursuant to sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22, and 3375.30 of the Revised Code shall, in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it, be governed by this section. For the purpose of transacting any business a quorum is a majority of the full membership of the board. The purchase of any real property requires a two-thirds vote of the full membership of the board making such purchase. All conveyances of real property shall be executed by the president and the secretary of the board making such conveyance. No moneys credited to a free public library shall be paid out except on a check signed by the clerk of the board having jurisdiction over said moneys and the president, vice-president, or secretary of said board. Each board of library trustees shall, at the end of each fiscal year, transmit on forms provided by the state library board to the state librarian and officer or board which appointed said board of library trustees a report of the activities of said board of library trustees during said year. Such report shall include a complete financial statement showing the receipts and expenditures in detail of all library funds for the entire fiscal year made by such board of library trustees. No member of a board of library trustees shall have any pecuniary interest in any contract entered into by such board.
§ 3375.36 Treasurer of library funds; deposits of moneys; monthly statement; financial statement.
The clerk of the board of library trustees of a free public library shall be the treasurer of the library funds. All moneys received by such clerk for library purposes shall be immediately placed by him in a depository designated by the board. Such clerk shall keep an account of the funds credited to the board. Such clerk shall render a statement to the board monthly showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the disbursements and the purposes for such disbursements, and the assets and liabilities of the board. At the end of each fiscal year the clerk shall submit to the board a complete financial statement showing the receipts and expenditures in detail for the entire fiscal year. The board of library trustees of a free public library may appoint a deputy clerk, for a term of one year, and may authorize such deputy to receive and disburse library funds. Such deputy, before entering upon his duties, shall execute a bond in an amount and with surety to be approved by the board, payable to the board, and conditioned for the faithful performance of the official duties required of him.
§ 3375.37 Statement filed with county auditor.
Before giving the clerk of a board of library trustees of a free public library a warrant for funds due such board, the county auditor shall require the clerk to file with him a statement showing the amount of funds on hand, available for expenditure by the board, according to the books of the clerk and the books of the depository designated by the board. Such statement shall indicate that the clerk's books are in exact balance with the depository accounts and shall be certified to by the clerk and proper officer of the depository.
§ 3375.38 Compliance with duties relating to moneys credited to board of library trustees.
All the duties required of the county auditor, county treasurer, or other officer or person relating to the moneys to the credit of or to be credited to a board of library trustees of a free public library shall be complied with by dealing with the clerk of such board.
§ 3375.39 Accounting by clerk; count and certificate.
At the expiration of the term of a clerk of a board of library trustees of a free public library or before such board approves the surety of any clerk, such board shall require the clerk to produce all money, bonds, or other securities in his hands, which shall then be counted by the board or a committee of the board, or by a representative of the auditor of state. A certificate setting forth the exact amount of such money, bonds, or other securities and signed by the representatives making such count shall be entered upon the records of the board and shall be prima facie evidence that the amount stated in such certificate is actually in the treasury at that date.
§ 3375.391 Crediting of earnings on investments.
The board of library trustees of any free public library district may adopt a resolution requiring the treasurer of the district to credit the earnings made on the investment of the principal of the moneys specified in the resolution to the fund from which the earnings arose or any other fund of the district as the board specifies in its resolution.
This section does not apply to the earnings made on the investment of any bond retirement fund or any sinking fund.
§ 3375.40 Powers of boards of library trustees.
(C) Purchase, lease, construct, remodel, renovate, or otherwise improve, equip, and furnish buildings or parts of buildings and other real property, and purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire motor vehicles and other personal property, necessary for the proper maintenance and operation of the free public libraries under its jurisdiction, and pay the costs thereof in installments or otherwise. Financing of these costs may be provided through the issuance of notes, through an installment sale, or through a lease-purchase agreement. Any such notes shall be issued pursuant to section 3375.404 [3375.40.4] of the Revised Code.
(L) Procure and pay all or part of the cost of group life, hospitalization, surgical, major medical, disability benefit, dental care, eye care, hearing aids, or prescription drug insurance, or a combination of any of the foregoing types of insurance or coverage, whether issued by an insurance company or a health insuring corporation duly licensed by the state, covering its employees and in the case of hospitalization, surgical, major medical, dental care, eye care, hearing aids, or prescription drug insurance, also covering the dependents and spouses of such employees, and in the case of disability benefits, also covering spouses of such employees. With respect to life insurance, coverage for any employee shall not exceed the greater of the sum of ten thousand dollars or the annual salary of the employee, exclusive of any double indemnity clause that is a part of the policy.
(M) Pay reasonable dues and expenses for the free public library and library trustees in library associations.
Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to this section shall identify the agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 [5301.01.2] of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.401 Authority to purchase liability insurance.
Each board of library trustees appointed pursuant to sections 1713.28, 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, and 3375.22 of the Revised Code may procure policies of insurance insuring trustees, officers, and employees of the library against liability on account of damage or injury to persons and property, including liability on account of death by wrongful act, occasioned by the operation of a motor vehicle owned or operated by said library, and on account of damages or injury to persons or property resulting from any act or omission of such person in his official capacity as a trustee, officer, or employee of the library or resulting solely out of his membership on or employment by the library board. Whenever the board deems it necessary to procure such insurance, it shall adopt a resolution setting forth the necessity thereof, together with a statement of the estimated premium cost, and upon the adoption of the resolution the board may purchase such insurance. Premium for such insurance shall be paid from the current expense fund of the library. The amount of liability insurance carried on any motor vehicle operated by said public library may be distributed among more than one insurance company.
§ 3375.402 Authority to establish museums.
A library board may contract with a corporation not for profit organized to establish a museum for the use of the general public and located within the territory served by the library, to turn over to such corporation the museum physical assets of the library under such terms and conditions as the library board may deem proper. Such board may also loan books, periodicals, and similar matter belonging to the library to such corporation for use in its museum, and such library board may include in its annual budget a sum not to exceed fifteen thousand dollars, which sum it may pay to such corporation for the maintenance of such museum.
§ 3375.403 Board of library trustees of a county library district may contract with other libraries.
The board of library trustees or governing body of any public library may contract for public library service with the board of library trustees or governing body of one or more libraries within the state that serve the general public, public or private schools, colleges, or universities, or a profession, occupation, or business. The board of library trustees of any public library may contract with boards of education of school districts within its territory to provide school library service, the boards of education paying all or part of the expense thereof.
Contracts as provided in this section may be terminated by mutual agreement, or by either of the two contracting parties on giving six months' notice before the day upon which taxes upon real estate become a lien.
§ 3375.404 Issuance of notes and anticipation notes to finance permanent improvements or motor vehicles or other personal property.
(1) "Anticipation notes" means notes issued in anticipation of the library fund library facilities notes authorized by this section.
(2) "Authorizing proceedings" means the resolution, legislation, trust agreement, certification and other agreements, instruments, and documents, as amended and supplemented, authorizing, or providing for the security or sale or award of, notes, and includes the provisions set forth or incorporated in those notes and proceedings.
(3) "Board" or "board of library trustees" means the board of library trustees appointed pursuant to sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22, and 3375.30 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Library fund" means the library and local government support fund provided for in Chapter 5747. of the Revised Code or any successor to that fund.
(5) "Note service charges" means principal, including any mandatory sinking fund or redemption requirements for retirement of notes, interest, and any redemption premium payable on notes.
(6) "Notes" means the library fund library facilities notes authorized by this section, including anticipation notes.
(7) "Public library" means any of the libraries provided for in sections 3375.06, 3375.10, 3375.12, 3375.15, 3375.22, and 3375.30 of the Revised Code.
(8) "Refunding notes" means notes issued to provide for the refunding of the notes, or of obligations issued prior to the effective date of this section, collectively referred to in this section as refunded obligations.
(B) A board of library trustees of a public library that receives an allocation of the library fund pursuant to section 5705.32 and Chapter 5747. of the Revised Code may anticipate its portion of the proceeds of the library fund distribution and issue library fund library facilities notes of the public library in the principal amount necessary to pay the costs of financing the facilities or other property referred to in division (C) of section 3375.40 of the Revised Code, or to refund any refunded obligations, provided that the board projects annual note service charges on the notes, or on the notes being anticipated by anticipation notes, to be capable of being paid from the annual library fund receipts of the public library. The maximum aggregate amount of notes that may be outstanding at any time in accordance with their terms upon issuance of the new notes shall not exceed an amount which requires or is estimated to require payments from library fund receipts of note service charges on the notes, or, in the case of anticipation notes, projected note service charges on the notes anticipated, in any calendar year in an amount exceeding thirty per cent of the average of the library fund receipts of the public library for the two calendar years prior to the year in which the notes are issued. A board may at any time issue renewal anticipation notes, issue notes to pay renewal anticipation notes, and, if it considers refunding expedient, issue refunding notes whether the refunded obligations have or have not matured. The refunding notes shall be sold and the proceeds needed for such purpose applied in the manner provided in the authorizing proceedings of the board.
(C) Every issue of notes outstanding in accordance with their terms shall be payable out of the money received by the public library from the library fund or proceeds of notes, renewal anticipation notes, or refunding notes which may be pledged for such payment in the authorizing proceedings. The pledge shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made, and the library fund receipts and proceeds so pledged and thereafter received by the board shall immediately be subject to the lien of that pledge without any physical delivery of the library fund receipts or proceeds or further act. The lien of any pledge is valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the board, whether or not such parties have notice of the lien. Neither the resolution nor any trust agreement by which a pledge is created or further evidenced need be filed or recorded except in the board's records.
(D) Notes issued under this section do not constitute a debt, or a pledge of the faith and credit, of the state, the public library, or any other political subdivision of the state, and the holders or owners of the notes have no right to have taxes levied by the general assembly or by the taxing authority of any political subdivision of the state, including the board of the public library, for the payment of note service charges. Notes are payable solely from the funds pledged for their payment as authorized by this section. All notes shall contain on their face a statement to the effect that the notes, as to note service charges, are not debts or obligations of the state and are not debts of any political subdivision of the state, but are payable solely from the funds pledged for their payment. The utilization and pledge of the library fund receipts and proceeds of notes, renewal anticipation notes, or refunding notes for the payment of note service charges is determined by the general assembly to create a special obligation which is not a bonded indebtedness subject to Section 11 of Article XII, Ohio Constitution, or, alternatively, to satisfy any applicable requirement of that Section 11.
(E) The notes shall bear such date or dates, shall be executed in the manner, and shall mature at such time or times, in the case of any anticipation notes not exceeding ten years from the date of issue of the original anticipation notes and in the case of any notes that are not anticipation notes or of any refunding notes, not exceeding twenty-five years from the date of the original issue of notes, or other obligations for the purpose, all as the authorizing proceedings may provide. The notes shall bear interest at such rates, or at variable rate or rates changing from time to time, in accordance with provisions provided in the authorizing proceedings, be in such denominations and form, either coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, as the board may authorize or provide. The notes may be sold at public or private sale, and at, or at not less than, the price or prices as the board determines. If any officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature appears on any notes or coupons ceases to be such officer before delivery of the notes or anticipation notes, the signature or facsimile shall nevertheless be sufficient for all purposes as if that officer had remained in office until delivery of the notes. Whether or not the notes are of such form and character as to be negotiable instruments under Title XIII  of the Revised Code, the notes shall have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments, subject only to any provisions for registration. Neither the members of the board nor any person executing the notes shall be liable personally on the notes or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of their issuance.
(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, sections 9.98 to 9.983 [9.98.3], 133.02, 133.70, and 5709.76, and division (A) of section 133.03 of the Revised Code apply to the notes. Notes issued under this section need not comply with any other law applicable to notes or bonds but the authorizing proceedings may provide that divisions (B) through (E) of section 133.25 of the Revised Code apply to the notes or anticipation notes.
(G) Any authorizing proceedings may contain provisions, subject to any agreements with holders as may then exist, which shall be a part of the contract with the holders, as to the pledging of any or all of the board's anticipated library fund receipts to secure the payment of the notes; the use and disposition of the library fund receipts of the boards; the crediting of the proceeds of the sale of notes to and among the funds referred to or provided for in the authorizing proceedings; limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds of the notes may be applied and the pledging of portions of such proceeds to secure the payment of the notes or of anticipation notes; the agreement of the board to do all things necessary for the authorization, issuance, and sale of those notes anticipated in such amounts as may be necessary for the timely payment of note service charges on any anticipation notes; limitations on the issuance of additional notes; the terms upon which additional notes may be issued and secured; the refunding of refunded obligations; the procedure by which the terms of any contract with holders may be amended, and the manner in which any required consent to amend may be given; securing any notes by a trust agreement or other agreement which may provide for notes or refunding notes to be further secured by a mortgage on the property financed with the proceeds of the notes, anticipation notes, or refunded obligations refunded by refunding notes; and any other matters, of like or different character, that in any way affect the security or protection of the notes or anticipation notes.
§ 3375.41 Procedure for bidding and letting of contracts over fifteen thousand dollars.
(A) The board shall advertise for a period of four weeks for bids in some newspaper of general circulation in the district and if there are two such papers, the board shall advertise in both of them. If no newspaper has a general circulation in the district, the board shall advertise by posting such advertisement in three public places therein. Such advertisement shall be entered in full by the clerk on the record of proceedings of the board.
(B) The sealed bids shall be filed with the clerk by twelve noon of the last day stated in the advertisement.
(C) The bids shall be opened at the next meeting of the board, shall be publicly read by the clerk, and shall be entered in full on the records of the board; provided that the board may by resolution provide for the public opening and reading of such bids by the clerk, immediately after the time for filing such bids has expired, at the usual place of meeting of the board, and for the tabulation of such bids and a report of such tabulation to the board at its next meeting.
(D) Each bid shall contain the name of every person interested therein, and shall meet the requirements of section 153.54 of the Revised Code.
(E) When both labor and materials are embraced in the work bid for, the board may require that each be separately stated in the bid, with the price thereof, or may require that bids be submitted without such separation.
(F) None but the lowest responsible bid shall be accepted. The board may reject all the bids or accept any bid for both labor and material for such improvement or repair which is the lowest in the aggregate.
(G) The contract shall be between the board and the bidders. The board shall pay the contract price for the work in cash at the times and in the amounts as provided by sections 153.12, 153.13, and 153.14 of the Revised Code.
(H) When two or more bids are equal, in whole or in part, and are lower than any others, either may be accepted, but in no case shall the work be divided between such bidders.
(I) When there is reason to believe there is collusion or combination among the bidders, the bids of those concerned in such collusion or combination shall be rejected.
§ 3375.411 Library operated retirement systems.
A board of library trustees of a free public library, appointed pursuant to the provisions of sections 3375.06, 3375.08, 3375.12, 3375.15, and 3375.22 of the Revised Code, which has not less than seventy-five full-time employees, and which, prior to September 16, 1943, was providing for retirement of the employees of such library with annuities, insurance, or other provisions, under authority granted by former section 7889 of the General Code, may provide such retirement, insurance, or other provisions in the same manner authorized by former section 7889 of the General Code, as follows: the library board of such library which has appropriated and paid the board's portion provided in such system or plan, may continue to appropriate and pay the board's portion provided in such system or plan out of the funds received to the credit of such board by taxation or otherwise. Each employee of such library who is to be included in a system of retirement shall contribute to the retirement fund not less than four per cent per annum of the employee's salary from the time of eligibility to join the retirement system to the time of retirement. If a group insurance plan is installed by any library, not less than fifty per cent of the cost of such insurance shall be borne by the employees included in such plan.
Provided, any employee whose employment by said library began on or after September 16, 1943, may exempt self from inclusion in such retirement system, or withdraw from such retirement system. Upon such exemption or withdrawal, such person shall become a member of the public employees retirement system in accordance with sections 145.02, 145.03, and 145.28 of the Revised Code, respectively. All employees appointed for the first time on and after January 1, 1956 shall, for retirement purposes, be eligible only for membership in the public employees retirement system as provided in Chapter 145. of the Revised Code.
A library board which provides for the retirement of its employees with annuities, insurance, or other provisions under the authority granted by this section may, pursuant to a board resolution adopted within thirty days after the effective date of this section, terminate such retirement plan. Upon the effective date of such termination, which is specified in the resolution, each employee covered by such retirement plan shall become a member of the public employees retirement system.
§ 3375.42 Contract for library service; tax levy.
The board of county commissioners of any county, the board of education of any school district, the legislative authority of any municipal corporation, or the board of township trustees of any township may contract with the board of library trustees of any public library, or with any private corporation or library association maintaining a free public library prior to September 4, 1947, situated within or without the taxing district, to furnish library service to all the inhabitants of said taxing district, notwithstanding the fact that such library is receiving proceeds from the county library and local government support fund, and may levy a tax, or make an appropriation from its general fund or from federal funds, to be expended by such library in providing library service in said taxing district for any of the purposes specified in section 3375.40 of the Revised Code. The taxing authority may require an annual report in writing from such board of library trustees, private corporation, or library association. When a tax for library purposes has been so levied, at each semiannual collection of such tax the county auditor shall certify the amount collected to the proper officer of the taxing district who shall forthwith draw his warrant for such amount on the treasurer of such district payable to the proper officer of such library.
§ 3375.43 Submission of question; issuance and sale of bonds by subdivision for library purposes.
Any public library board of trustees charged with the title, custody, control, and maintenance of a public library in the state may request the taxing authority of the political subdivision to whose jurisdiction the board is subject to submit to the electors of such subdivision the question of issuing bonds for the purpose of purchasing, erecting, constructing, enlarging, extending, or improving a building for library purposes, including a site therefor, and equipping and furnishing the building. Such request shall be made by resolution adopted by the board, and the resolution shall recite whether notes shall be issued in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. A copy of the resolution shall be certified by the board to the taxing authority of the subdivision pursuant to section 5705.23 of the Revised Code. The submission to the electors of the question of the issuance of the bonds, the issuance, sale, characteristics, and requirements for the interest and retirement levies, and the method and means for payment of the bonds or notes, if notes are to be issued in anticipation of the issuance of the bonds, shall conform to Section 11 of Article XII, Ohio Constitution, and Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, governing the issuance, sale, characteristics, and levies for, and method and means of payment of, bonds or notes issued by such subdivision pursuant to a vote of the electors. Such bonds or notes shall be issued and sold by the proper officer as is provided by law for the issuance and sale of bonds of the political subdivision to whose jurisdiction the board is subject. The indebtedness created by such bonds or notes constitutes a part of the net indebtedness of such subdivision. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be transferred by the fiscal officer of such subdivision to the board for the benefit of which the bonds were issued and shall be appropriated to and expended only for the purposes for which issued.
§ 3375.431 Board of education may issue bonds for libraries.
The board of education of a city, exempted village, or local school district, which does not have a board of library trustees established under section 3375.15 of the Revised Code may issue bonds in accordance with Chapter 133. of the Revised Code, without regard to section 3375.43 of the Revised Code, for the purpose of purchasing, erecting, constructing, enlarging, improving, equipping, and furnishing library facilities and acquiring real estate and interests in real estate therefor, to be operated by the board of trustees of any free public library, library association, or corporation pursuant to section 3375.18 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.44 Payment of interest; retirement of bonds; annual levy.
After the issue of any notes or bonds under section 3375.43 of the Revised Code, the public library board of trustees on behalf of which said bonds are issued shall certify, on or before the first day of July in each year, to the taxing authority of the political subdivision to the jurisdiction of which such board is subject, a sufficient amount to pay the interest on and to retire at maturity such bonds or notes, and such taxing authority shall annually include in its budget the amount certified and required to pay the interest on and to retire such bonds or notes at maturity, and shall levy the necessary tax therefor.
Such board may appropriate and apply any moneys in its possession and control, which are available and unappropriated for other purposes, to the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds or notes. Any moneys so to be applied shall be appropriated by resolution of the library board and transferred to the board or officers having charge of the retirement fund for such bonds to be applied to the payment of such bonds and for no other purposes. The interest and retirement charges to be levied in each year shall then be reduced by such amounts of money as are otherwise made available.
§ 3375.45 Control and management of sinking or bond retirement fund.
When bonds are issued pursuant to section 3375.43 of the Revised Code, the board or officer of the political subdivision issuing such bonds having charge of the sinking fund or bond retirement fund of such subdivision shall have the control and management of all moneys and securities for the payment of interest on and for the redemption of the principal of such bonds, and shall exercise the same powers of control and management thereof as for the management and control of the sinking or bond retirement fund for all bonds of such subdivision.
§ 3375.46 Bureau of municipal research and information may be established.
Any board of library trustees of a school district may enter into an agreement with any municipal corporation located in such school district for the establishment of a bureau of municipal research and information. The agreement shall provide for the rendering of such services by and under the supervision and control of such board, and upon such terms, as are agreed upon between such board and municipal corporation.
§ 3375.47 Board of library examiners; term of office; duties.
The librarians of the two public libraries of largest circulation in the state, the state librarian, and two persons representing rural library work and chosen by the state library board constitute a state board of library examiners. The members chosen by the state library board shall serve for four years. The state board of library examiners shall examine applicants for the position of county district librarian. The members of the state board of library examiners shall receive no compensation but their necessary expenses shall be paid from the appropriation for the state library board on the warrant of that body. Such members may adopt rules and regulations for the government of the state board of library examiners and for carrying out this section. No person who has not received a certificate of qualification from the state board of library examiners shall be employed as librarian in charge of any county library district. The county librarian and his assistants shall be appointed and their salaries fixed by the board of trustees of the county library district, and shall also be allowed necessary traveling expenses incurred on the business of the library within the county, upon approval of the board of trustees of the county library district. In addition, the county librarian shall attend and take part in an annual state convention of county librarians, for which railroad expenses shall be allowed out of the county library district fund.
§ 3375.48 Compensation of law librarian.
The judges of the court of common pleas of any county in which there is a law library association which furnishes to all of the members of the Ohio general assembly, the county officers and the judges of the several courts in the county admission to its library and the use of its books free of charge, upon the appointment by the board of trustees of such association of a person to act as librarian thereof, or of a person to act as librarian and not more than two additional persons to act as assistant law librarians thereof, shall fix the compensation of such persons, which shall be paid from the county treasury.
§ 3375.49 Board of county commissioners shall provide for law library.
For the use of the law library referred to in section 3375.48 of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners shall provide, at the expense of the county, suitable rooms with sufficient and suitable bookcases in the county courthouse or, if there are no suitable rooms in the courthouse, any other suitable rooms at the county seat with sufficient and suitable bookcases. The librarian or person in charge of the law library shall receive and safely keep in these rooms the law reports and other books furnished by the state for use of the court and bar. The board of county commissioners shall heat and light any such rooms. The books, computer communications console that is a means of access to a system of computerized legal research, microform materials and equipment, videotape materials and equipment, audio or visual materials and equipment, other materials and equipment utilized in conducting legal research, and furniture of the law library association that are owned by, and used exclusively in, the law library are exempt from taxation.
§ 3375.50 Allowance to law libraries from fines and penalties of municipal courts.
All fines and penalties collected by, and moneys arising from forfeited bail in, a municipal court for offenses and misdemeanors brought for prosecution in the name of a municipal corporation under one of its penal ordinances, where there is in force a state statute under which the offense might be prosecuted, or brought for prosecution in the name of the state, except a portion of such fines, penalties, and moneys which, plus all costs collected monthly in such state cases, equal the compensation allowed by the board of county commissioners to the judges of the municipal court, its clerk, and the prosecuting attorney of such court in state cases, shall be retained by the clerk of such municipal court, and be paid by him forthwith, each month, to the board of trustees of the law library association in the county in which such municipal corporation is located. The sum so retained and paid by the clerk of the municipal court to the board of trustees of such law library association shall, in no month, be less than twenty-five per cent of the amount of such fines, penalties, and moneys received in that month, without deducting the amount of the allowance of the board of county commissioners to the judges, clerk, and prosecuting attorney.
(A) In counties having a population of fifty thousand or less, seventy-five hundred dollars and the maximum amount paid by any of such courts shall not exceed four thousand dollars in any calendar year.
(B) In counties having a population in excess of fifty thousand but not in excess of one hundred thousand, eight thousand dollars and the maximum amount paid by any of such courts shall not exceed five thousand five hundred dollars in any calendar year.
(C) In counties having a population in excess of one hundred thousand but not in excess of one hundred fifty thousand, ten thousand dollars and the maximum amount paid by any of such courts shall not exceed seven thousand dollars in any calendar year.
(D) In counties having a population of in excess of one hundred fifty thousand, fifteen thousand dollars in any calendar year. The maximum amount to be paid by each such clerk shall be determined by the county auditor in December of each year for the next succeeding calendar year, and shall bear the same ratio to the total amount payable under this section from the clerks of all municipal courts in such county as the total fines, costs, and forfeitures received by the corresponding municipal court, bear to the total fines, costs, and forfeitures received by all the municipal courts in the county, as shown for the last complete year of actual receipts, on the latest available budgets of such municipal courts. Payments in the full amounts provided in this section shall be made monthly by each clerk in each calendar year until the maximum amount for such year has been paid. When such amount, so determined by the auditor, has been paid to the board of trustees of such law library association, then no further payments shall be required in that calendar year from the clerk of such court.
(E) This section does not apply to fines collected by a municipal court for violations of division (B) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code, or for violations of any municipal ordinance that is substantively comparable to that division, all of which shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state as provided in division (E) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.51 Moneys collected by county court paid to law library; exception.
Fifty per cent of all moneys collected by a county court accruing from fines, penalties, and forfeited bail, unless otherwise distributed by law, shall be paid to the board of trustees of the law library association of the county by the county treasurer, upon the voucher of the county auditor within thirty days after such moneys have been paid into the county treasury by the clerk of the county court.
This section does not apply to fines collected by a county court for violations of division (B) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code, or for violations of any municipal ordinance that is substantively comparable to that division, all of which shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state as provided in division (E) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.52 Court of common pleas and probate court to pay fines and penalties to law library.
In each county of the state, all fines and penalties collected by, and moneys arising from forfeited bail in the court of common pleas and the probate court of such county, for offenses and misdemeanors brought for prosecution in such courts in the name of the state, shall be retained and paid monthly by the clerk of such courts to the board of trustees of the law library association. The total sums so paid therefrom shall not exceed twelve hundred fifty dollars per annum, and when that amount has been paid to such board, in accordance with this section, then no further payments shall be required under this section in that calendar year from the clerks of such respective courts.
This section does not apply to fines collected by a court of common pleas for violations of division (B) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code, all of which shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state as provided in division (E) of that section.
§ 3375.53 Fines and penalties for violation of liquor law and state traffic laws paid.
In each county, fifty per cent of all fines and penalties collected by, and of moneys arising from forfeited bail in, any court in that county for offenses brought for prosecution under Chapters 4301. and 4303. of the Revised Code and the state traffic laws shall be paid monthly by the treasurer of the county or municipal corporation to the board of trustees of the law library association in such county, but the sum so paid to such board by each treasurer shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars per annum under Chapters 4301. and 4303. of the Revised Code, and when that amount has been so paid to such board in accordance with this section, then no further payments shall be required thereunder in that calendar year from such treasurers.
As used in this section, "state traffic laws" does not include division (B) of section 4513.263 [4513.26.3] of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.54 Money used for lawbooks, computer communication facilities and equipment.
The money that is paid to the board of trustees of a law library association under sections 3375.50 to 3375.53 of the Revised Code shall be expended in the support and operation of the law library association and in the purchase, lease, or rental of lawbooks, a computer communications console that is a means of access to a system of computerized legal research, microform materials and equipment, videotape materials and equipment, audio or visual materials and equipment, and other services, materials, and equipment that provide legal information or facilitate legal research.
§ 3375.55 Use of the law library.
Judges of the county court in the county and officers of the townships and municipal corporations therein shall have the same free use of the books of the law library receiving moneys under sections 3375.50 to 3375.53, inclusive, of the Revised Code, as the judges and county officers.
§ 3375.56 Annual report by board of trustees of law library association; refund of excess.
On the first Monday of each year, the board of trustees of the law library association shall make a detailed statement to the county auditor, verified by the oath of the treasurer of the association, of the amount of the fines and penalties received under sections 3375.50 to 3375.53, inclusive, of the Revised Code, and of the money expended by the association.
If the total amount received under such sections during the preceding calendar year covered by such report exceeds the expenditures during the same period, the auditor shall certify such fact to the board which shall thereupon direct the treasurer of the association to refund proportionately to the treasurers of the political subdivisions from which such balance was received, not less than ninety per cent of any unencumbered balance on hand from the preceding year.
§ 3375.61 Financial aid to Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library Association.
In recognition of the work the Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library Association, a corporation organized not for profit under the laws of this state, has done and is doing to collect, promote, publicize, and make available to the public the cultural, literary, scientific, social, and economic achievements of Ohioans, the state may grant financial aid to said corporation in order that the purposes for which it was instituted may be fostered and its services to the public improved and expanded.
§ 3375.62 Appointment of trustees.
The governor shall appoint four members of the board of trustees of the Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library Association. Terms of office shall be for four years, commencing on the sixteenth day of September and ending on the fifteenth day of September, except that upon expiration of the term ending January 8, 1976, the new term which succeeds it shall commence on January 9, 1976 and end on September 15, 1979. Each member shall hold office from the date of his appointment until the end of the term for which he was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of such term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of his term until his successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Said appointees shall serve as members of the board of trustees of the Martha Kinney Cooper Ohioana Library Association in addition to the regular constituted board of trustees of the corporation.
§ 3375.63 Eligibility for public library trustees.
No person shall be ineligible for membership on a board of public library trustees because of his employment by a school district or other political subdivision, provided that a majority of the members of each board of public library trustees shall be persons not employed by school districts or other political subdivisions.
These sections concerned the area library service organization.
To encourage and make available adequate library reference and research facilities, the state library board may designate certain libraries as resource centers and develop and encourage cooperative steps to link these centers with other libraries in a reference and information network. Such designation shall be made subject to the approval of the governing boards of the libraries. Grants may be made to these libraries and to other libraries which share their resources and facilities on an interlibrary basis.
§ 3375.81 Essential library services support program.
(E) Special program grants, to be paid to a public library or a regional library system.
§ 3375.82 Administration of grants.
(F) Encourage adequate financing of public libraries from local, state, and other library financial resources.
§ 3375.83 Form of compact.
Article I. Policy and Purpose.
Because the desire for the services provided by libraries transcends governmental boundaries and can most effectively be satisfied by giving such services to communities and people regardless of jurisdictional lines, it is the policy of the states party to this compact to cooperate and share their responsibilities; to authorize cooperation and sharing with respect to those types of library facilities and services which can be more economically or efficiently developed and maintained on a cooperative basis; and to authorize cooperation and sharing among localities, states, and others in providing joint or cooperative library services in areas where the distribution of population or of existing and potential library resources make the provision of library service on an interstate basis the most effective way of providing adequate and efficient service.
(A) "Public library agency" means any unit or agency of local or state government operating or having power to operate a library.
(B) "Private library agency" means any nongovernmental entity which operates or assumes a legal obligation to operate a library.
(C) "Library agreement" means a contract establishing an interstate library district pursuant to this compact or providing for the joint or cooperative furnishing of library services.
Article III. Interstate Library Districts.
(A) Any one or more public library agencies in a party state in cooperation with any public library agency or agencies in one or more other party states may establish and maintain an interstate library district. Subject to the provisions of this compact and any other laws of the party states which pursuant hereto remain applicable, such district may establish, maintain, and operate some or all of the library facilities and services for the area concerned in accordance with the terms of a library agreement therefor. Any private library agency or agencies within an interstate library district may cooperate therewith; assume duties, responsibilities, and obligations thereto; and receive benefits therefrom as provided in any library agreement to which such agency or agencies become party.
(B) Within an interstate library district, and as provided by a library agreement, the performance of library functions may be undertaken on a joint or cooperative basis or may be undertaken by means of one or more arrangements between or among public or private library agencies for the extension of library privileges to the use of facilities or services operated or rendered by one or more of the individual library agencies.
(8) Do such other things as may be incidental to or appropriate for the carrying out of any of the foregoing powers.
Article IV. Interstate Library Districts, Governing Board.
(A) An interstate library district which establishes, maintains, or operates any facilities or services in its own right shall have a governing board which shall direct the affairs of the district and act for it in all matters relating to its business. Each participating public library agency in the district shall be represented on the governing board which shall be organized and conduct its business in accordance with provision therefor in the library agreement, but in no event shall a governing board meet less often than twice a year.
(B) Any private library agency or agencies party to a library agreement establishing an interstate library district may be represented on or advise with the governing board of the district in such manner as the library agreement may provide.
Article V. State Library Agency Cooperation.
Any two or more state library agencies of two or more of the party states may undertake and conduct joint or cooperative library programs, render joint or cooperative library services, and enter into and perform arrangements for the cooperative or joint acquisition, use, housing, and disposition of items or collections of materials which, by reason of expense, rarity, specialized nature, or infrequency of demand therefor, would be appropriate for cental collection and shared use. Any such programs, services, or arrangements may include provision for the exercise on a cooperative or joint basis of any power exercisable by an interstate library district and an agreement embodying any such program, service, or arrangement shall contain provisions covering the subjects detailed in Article VI of this compact for interstate library agreement.
(4) Set forth the terms and conditions for duration, renewal, termination, abrogation, disposal of joint or common property, if any, and all other matters which may be appropriate to the proper effectuation and performance of the agreement.
(B) No public or private library agency shall undertake to exercise itself, or jointly with any other library agency, by means of a library agreement any power prohibited to such agency by the constitution or statutes of its state.
(C) No library agreement shall become effective until filed with the compact administrator of each state involved and approved in accordance with Article VII of this compact.
Article VII. Approval of Library Agreements.
(A) Every library agreement made pursuant to this compact shall, prior to and as a condition precedent to its entry into force, be submitted to the attorney general of each state in which a public library agency party thereto is situated, who shall determine whether the agreement is in proper form and compatible with the laws of his state. The attorneys general shall approve any agreement submitted to them unless they shall find that it does not meet the conditions set forth herein and shall detail, in writing, addressed to the governing bodies of the public library agencies concerned, the specific respects in which the proposed agreement fails to meet the requirements of law. Failure to disapprove an agreement submitted hereunder within ninety days of its submission shall constitute approval thereof.
(B) In the event that a library agreement made pursuant to this compact shall deal in whole or in part with the provision of services or facilities with regard to which an officer or agency of the state government has constitutional or statutory powers of control, the agreement shall, as a condition precedent to its entry into force, be submitted to the state officer or agency having such power of control and shall be approved or disapproved by him or it as to all matters within his or its jurisdiction in the same manner and subject to the same requirements governing the action of the attorneys general pursuant to division (A) of this article. This requirement of submission and approval shall be in addition to and not in substitution for the requirement of submission to and approval by the attorneys general.
Article VIII. Other Laws Applicable.
Nothing in this compact or in any library agreement shall be construed to supersede, alter, or otherwise impair any obligation imposed on any library by otherwise applicable law, nor to authorize the transfer or disposition of any property held in trust by a library agency in a manner contrary to the term of such trust.
Article IX. Appropriations and Aid.
(A) Any public library agency party to a library agreement may appropriate funds to the interstate library district established thereby in the same manner and to the same extent as to a library wholly maintained by it and, subject to the laws of the state in which such public library agency is situated, may pledge its credit in support of an interstate library district established by the agreement.
(B) Subject to the provisions of the library agreement pursuant to which it functions and the laws of the states in which such district is situated, an interstate library district may claim and receive any state and federal aid which may be available to library agencies.
Each state shall designate a compact administrator with whom copies of all library agreements to which his state or any public library agency thereof is party shall be filed. The administrator shall have such other powers as may be conferred upon him by the laws of his state and may consult and cooperate with the compact administrators of other party states and take such steps as may effectuate the purposes of this compact. If the laws of a party state so provide, such state may designate one or more deputy compact administrators in addition to its compact administrator. The compact administrator and other persons performing official functions in connection with this compact shall be entitled to reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties or in the conduct of authorized business, within or without the state.
Article XI. Entry Into Force and Withdrawal.
(A) This compact shall enter into force and effect immediately upon its enactment into law by any two states. Thereafter, it shall enter into force and effect as to any other state upon the enactment thereof by such state.
(B) This compact shall continue in force with respect to a party state and remain binding upon such state until six months after such state has given notice to each other party state of the repeal thereof. Such withdrawal shall not be construed to relieve any party to a library agreement entered into pursuant to this compact from any obligation of that agreement prior to the end of its duration as provided therein.
Article XII. Construction and Severability.
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any party state or of the United States, or the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any state party thereto, the compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters.
§ 3375.831 Instrument to identify state agency for whose benefit real property is acquired.
Any instrument by which real property is acquired pursuant to section 3375.83 of the Revised Code shall identify any agency of the state that has the use and benefit of the real property as specified in section 5301.012 [5301.01.2] of the Revised Code.
(A) "State library agency," with reference to this state, means the state library board as designated in section 3375.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) "Compact administrator," with reference to this state, means the state librarian as designated in section 3375.02 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.85 Aid to entities partly within state.
An interstate library district lying partly within this state may claim and be entitled to receive state aid, other than aid from the library and local government support fund, in support of any of its functions to the same extent and in the same manner as such functions are eligible for support when carried on by entities wholly within this state. For the purposes of computing and apportioning such state aid to an interstate library district, this state will consider that portion of the area which lies within this state as an independent entity for the performance of the aided function or functions and compute and apportion the aid accordingly. Any library association that was organized and operated prior to January 1, 1968, and which pursuant to the authority granted in section 3375.83 of the Revised Code, has become part of an interstate library district shall be considered a library association under section 5705.28 of the Revised Code and entitled to participate in the county library and local government support fund and other public funds. Subject to any applicable laws of this state, such a district also may apply for and be entitled to receive any federal aid for which it may be eligible.
§ 3375.90 Agreement to form regional library system.
Public libraries in two or more counties, or four or more libraries, including two or more types, within a metropolitan area, as defined by the state library board, may form a regional library system by agreement in the manner set forth in this section.
(A) The libraries authorized to form a regional library system may include any of the following types of libraries: academic, public, special, and school, including cooperative ventures established by two or more school districts. For the purposes of this section, those libraries may be serving the general public, public or private schools, colleges or universities, or a profession, occupation, or business.
An agreement for the formation of a regional library system shall first be approved by the governing bodies of the participating libraries. For the purposes of this section, the "governing body of a library" means the board of trustees of a public library, the board of education of a public school or school system if the library is a public school library, or otherwise the board of trustees or directors or other recognized governing board or committee of any private school, college, university, association, or union, public or private, which provides, controls, or maintains a library that is intended to be a participating library.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, the agreement and an application for the formation of the regional library system shall be submitted to the state library board in the form and in accordance with rules prescribed by the state library board, with a plan of service describing the specific purposes for which the system is formed and the means by which those purposes are to be accomplished.
(C) Upon approval of the application by the state library board and the making by that board or some other authority or authorities of a grant or grants for the system, the regional library system shall become operable. The state library board shall approve no more than seven regional library systems.
A regional library system shall be governed by a board of trustees consisting of at least seven and no more than fifteen persons, to be selected from among the representatives of the participating libraries, duly appointed as such representatives by the governing bodies of the participating libraries.
The number of trustees, the manner of selection, the terms of office, and the provisions for filling vacancies shall be determined by the agreement between the governing bodies of the participating libraries and shall be set forth in the application submitted to the state library board. Nothing pertaining to the organization and operation of a regional library system shall be construed to infringe upon the autonomy of any participating library or of the governing body of any library.
(D) No area library service organization or metropolitan library system in existence on March 30, 1999, shall be required to submit a new agreement and application to the state library board in order to continue operation as a regional library system on and after that date. Any agreement that applied under this section immediately prior to March 30, 1999, to an area library service organization or metropolitan library system that continues operation as a regional library system under this division shall continue to govern the applicable regional library system to the extent authorized by sections 3375.90 to 3375.93 of the Revised Code.
§ 3375.91 Powers of board of trustees.
(K) Accept an application from any other library desiring to become a participating library in accordance with the agreement for the formation of the system, either as originally submitted to and approved by the state library board, or as amended by and with the agreement of all the participating libraries and the approval of the state library board.
§ 3375.92 Duties of clerk and deputy clerk.
The clerk of the board of trustees of the regional library system is the treasurer of the organization's funds. Before entering upon their duties, the clerk and the deputy clerk shall execute a bond in an amount and with surety to be approved by the board, and conditioned for the faithful performance of the official duties required of them.
All moneys received by the clerk shall be immediately placed by the clerk in a depository designated by the board. The clerk shall keep an account of the funds credited to the board.
The clerk shall render a monthly statement to the board showing the revenues and receipts from whatever sources derived, the disbursements and the purposes for such disbursements, and the assets and liabilities of the board. At the end of each fiscal year the clerk shall submit to the board, to the state library board and, if requested, to any granting authority, a complete financial statement showing the receipts and expenditures in detail for the entire fiscal year. Such financial records shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable times.
At the expiration of the term of the clerk or before the board of trustees approves the surety of any clerk, the board shall require the clerk to produce all moneys, bonds, or other securities in the clerk's hands, which shall then be counted by the board or a committee of the board, or by a representative of the auditor of state. A certificate setting forth the exact amount of such money, bonds, or other securities and signed by the persons making such count shall be entered upon the records of the board and shall be prima-facie evidence that the amount stated in such certificate is actually in the treasury at that date.
§ 3375.93 Dissolution; withdrawal from system.
If the need for a regional library system ceases to exist, the board of trustees may, by a two-thirds vote of its members, declare its intention to dissolve the organization and file with the state library board a plan for effecting such dissolution.
The plan shall state the means by which the participating libraries may record their approval or disapproval of such intended dissolution, and shall include a plan for the distribution of the assets of the regional library system. If the regional library system received more than fifty per cent of its total budget for the previous three years from grant funds provided by the state library board, the state library board shall make final determination of the distribution of the assets.
A participating library may withdraw from a regional library system on the first day of July in any year, providing that notice of the withdrawal intention has been given at least eighteen months prior to the date of withdrawal. Whenever a withdrawal occurs or another library joins a regional library system, an amended plan shall be submitted to the state library board for approval.

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