reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19b - State Aid; Annual Reports by Libraries; Requisites for Aid

Section 19B. The board of library commissioners, in setting up minimum standards of free public library service and in certifying such libraries for aid under section nineteen A shall require the filing of an annual report and shall require that such public libraries  (1) be open to all residents of the commonwealth,  (2) make no charge for normal library services,  (3) be kept open a minimum number of hours per week,  (4) employ trained personnel in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board of library commissioners; provided, however, that in cities of more than one hundred and fifty thousand residents, nothing in said regulations shall prevent the appointing authority from employing a chief executive officer of the library system in addition to the chief librarian,  (5) expend a reasonable portion of the library's total budget on library materials,  (6) lend books to other libraries in the commonwealth and extend privileges to the holders of cards issued by other public libraries in the commonwealth on a reciprocal basis,  (7) include in their annual report the total number of nonresident loans and nonresident circulation as a percentage of the library's total circulation, as certified by the librarian and subject to an audit by the state auditor.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19c - Regional Public Library Service; Annual Appropriation

Section 19C. The board shall establish a comprehensive statewide program of regional library service, consisting of regional library systems, which shall not exceed six, for the purpose of providing reference and research services, interlibrary loan, delivery, and other regional services to public, school, academic, and special libraries in the region. For each regional library system, the board shall designate an administrative agency. For such purpose, there shall be an annual appropriation which the board shall apply in the following manner:  (1) Insofar as practicable the board shall enter into an arrangement or arrangements with such public library or libraries in each regional area as it may determine under the terms of which such library or libraries shall supply services or space, equipment, personnel, books, periodicals and other library materials to communities having fewer than twenty-five thousand inhabitants;  [There is no clause (2).]  (3) Any regional library system providing service under an approved plan shall be entitled to receive annually in state aid an amount per capita of its served population per square mile of the area served in accordance with the following schedules:  (4) In addition to the sums provided in clause (3), the Boston public library, as the library of the commonwealth for reference and research services, shall be entitled to receive in state aid the sum of fifty cents for each resident of the commonwealth;  (5) Any employee employed in a position identified as a regional position in a public library which accepts funds under this section shall not be required to comply with residency requirements. For purposes of this section, ''regional position'' shall mean a full-time or part-time position for which at least fifty per cent of the funding is provided by the commonwealth pursuant to this section.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19d (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19d - Regional Public Library Service; Council of Members

Section 19D. For each regional library system, the board shall establish a council of members which shall consist of the chief librarian or one trustee to be so designated by the board of trustees or other appropriate administrative authority of each participating library and one designated representative from participating libraries within each public school district and one representative from the participant private school libraries within each school district. The duties and responsibilities of the council of members shall be specified in the bylaws of the regional library systems as approved by the board of library commissioners.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19f (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19f - Regional Public Library Service; Arrangement for Delivery and Retrieval of Materials or Services

Section 19F. Any library system providing service under an approved plan as provided in clause (3) of section nineteen C or such public library or libraries designated by the board may through the board enter into an arrangement or arrangements with libraries not included by clauses (1) and (2) of said section nineteen C as the board may determine; under the terms of which such library system or such public library or libraries designated by the board may provide, and the amount arranged to be applied only to the related costs, for the delivery and retrieval of reference and research books, periodicals and other library materials, or other services within the approved plan.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19g (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19g - State Assistance for Public Library Projects

Section 19G. The board of library commissioners shall, subject to appropriation, establish and administer a program of state assistance to cities and towns in the planning, reconstruction, construction, design, acquisition of real property, renovation, preservation, rehabilitation, demolition or expansion of a facility to be used as a free public library.  The board may, in accordance with the provisions of this section and sections nineteen H to nineteen K, inclusive, provide grant funds to such cities and towns which apply for funding of projects authorized by this section; provided, however, that said grant shall not exceed seventy-five per cent of the cost of an approved library project, including interest and the cost of planning thereof.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19h (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19h - Definitions

Section 19H. As used in sections nineteen G to nineteen K, inclusive, the following words shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:—  ''Addition, expansion or extension'', work which will result in an increase in the overall external dimension of a public library facility.  ''Alteration'', work required to modify or adjust the interior space arrangement or other physical characteristics of an existing public library facility so that it may be more effectively utilized for its present designated functional purpose.  ''Approved public library project'', an undertaking for the planning, alteration, construction, demolition, reconstruction, renovation, addition, expansion, extension, or rehabilitation of a public library facility as approved by a majority vote of the town at a town meeting or by a majority vote of a city council, with the approval of the mayor, in the case of a city or in a municipality having a town council form of government, by vote of the town council.  ''Construction'', new construction, alteration, renovation, rehabilitation, or other activity that is intended to result in a significant increase in the internal useable space of a free public library.  ''Master plan'', a study, description, or design of an approved library project which is intended to ensure that various components of an approved public library project shall be compatible with each other and that the approved public library project as a whole is compatible with its surroundings.  ''Planning'', the preparation of a master plan, study, analysis, or similar report the purpose of which is to define the cost, content and schedule of an approved library project so as to establish a frame of reference prior to design, acquisition, construction, alteration, renovation, rehabilitation or other activity of an approved public library project.  ''Public agency'', a department, board, commission, council or other instrumentality of a city or town.  ''Public library facility'', a building, modular unit, facility jointly used by more than one municipality or other structure utilized as a free public library in a city or town.  ''Rehabilitation'', work required to restore a public library facility to its former historic condition, or to modify and modernize a public library facility in order that it may be effectively utilized for its designated functional purpose.  ''Renovation'', work required to restore and modernize most of a public library facility in order that the facility may be effectively utilized for its designated functional purpose or to comply with current code requirements.  ''Study'', a plan, analysis or report to identify and evaluate alternative solutions to and recommendations for a solution to the needs and requirements defined by a public agency proposing an approved public library project.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19i (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19i - Application for and Distribution of Funds

Section 19I. The board of library commissioners shall establish rules and regulations which shall govern the application for and distribution of said funds. Any such rule and regulation shall require that any city or town receiving a grant for an approved public library project for the planning, construction, renovation, alteration, addition, expansion or demolition of a public library facility make a financial commitment to the project for which the grant is awarded.  An application must be for an approved public library project and shall be in such form as prescribed by said board and shall be accompanied by such additional master plan, information, drawings, plans, estimates of costs and proposals for defraying such costs as the board may require. The board may consult with the division of capital asset management and maintenance under the secretary of administration and finance as to the feasibility and cost of any such application.  Said board may, if it is satisfied that the application so submitted meets the requirements as established by said board and that the expenses to be incurred are reasonable, certify to the comptroller for payment to such city and town such amount as it may deem proper and the state treasurer shall forthwith make payments so certified from any funds appropriated therefor.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19j (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19j - Allocation of Funds; Priorities

Section 19J. In allocating said funds, the board shall give priority to library construction projects within communities (a) in which the most recent fiscal year's tax levy as a per cent of its levy limit exceeds the statewide average, as determined by the commissioner of revenue; (b) that demonstrate strong local annual operating support for public libraries; (c) that have a high degree of demand for public library services; (d) which undertake significant cooperation with other municipalities to improve public library services; (e) which are in strict compliance with the standards established under this chapter; (f) where library projects are needed, in the judgment of the board, to renovate a building which is structurally unsound, lacking handicapped access or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the safety of the public and where no viable alternatives exist; and (g) where library projects are needed for the replacement, renovation or modernization of the heating system, roof or other project relating to energy efficiency.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19k (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19k - Gifts and Grants

Section 19K. Cities and towns may accept grants or gifts for purposes of library construction or renovations, including the planning therefor from private persons or corporations and from charitable foundations and may disburse the same for such purposes. Cities and towns may include any such funds in the determination of the local match in applying for assistance from the commonwealth for a grant for an approved public library project. Any amounts so received by a city or town shall be deposited with the treasurer of such city or town and held as a separate account and may be expended without further appropriation, notwithstanding the provisions of section fifty-three of chapter forty-four.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19l (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19l - Massachusetts Library and Information Network

Section 19L. The board of library commissioners shall, subject to appropriation, establish and administer a program for the purposes of providing funds for a Massachusetts library and information network. Grants and contracts awarded under this section shall be awarded for, but not limited to, purchase of computer equipment and software, acquisition of telecommunications equipment, development of information and referral services, and training. The board shall establish minimum requirements to be met by all applicants under this program.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19m (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19m - Statewide Advisory Council on Cooperative Library Programs

Section 19M. The board of library commissioners shall establish a statewide advisory council on cooperative library programs. This advisory council shall advise the board with regard to the following: statewide program of service; proposed standards for the delivery of statewide network services; recommendations for statewide priorities for interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing; and the effectiveness of the statewide program of services. The council shall prepare and adopt bylaws for the conduct of business which shall be approved by the board of library commissioners.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 19n (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 19n - Rules and Regulations

Section 19N. The board of library commissioners shall establish such rules and regulations as are necessary and proper for administering sections 19C to 19F, inclusive, and sections 19L and 19M.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 20 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 20 - Librarians; Appointment; Examination; Registration

Section 20. The board may determine by examination or by such rules as it may establish the selection and appointment of supervising librarians and all other library workers who are paid wholly or in part, under the authority of said board, by the commonwealth. Such selection and appointment shall not be subject to chapter thirty-one.  In order to assist library trustees who seek advice from the board in securing qualified librarians and assistants, the board shall keep a registry of librarians which shall give due credit for experience and successful accomplishment as well as for formal examination.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 21 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 21 - Inapplicability of Certain Sections to Cities

Section 21. Sections ten to twelve, inclusive, and sections sixteen to eighteen, inclusive, shall not apply to cities.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 22 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 22 - Certification of Librarians

Section 22. The board of library commissioners shall certify, and issue certificates to, librarians. The board shall appoint an advisory committee of professional librarians practicing in the commonwealth to advise with it concerning certification.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 23 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 23 - Board Meetings; Quorum

Section 23. The board shall hold at least four regular meetings each year for the purpose of granting certificates. A quorum for said purpose shall consist of three members.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 24 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 24 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 22 to 31

Section 24. The following words and phrases used in sections twenty-two to thirty-one, inclusive, shall, unless the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings:—  ''Board'', the board of library commissioners.  ''Professional librarian'', a person qualified by education, training or study and experience to practice library work in a position requiring knowledge of books and library aims and techniques equivalent to that attained through graduation from a library school accredited by the American Library Association.  ''Subprofessional librarian'', a person in the opinion of the board qualified through an elementary knowledge of library techniques to engage in the necessary library routines involved in the acquiring and circulation of books but not qualified as a professional librarian.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 25 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 25 - Rules and Regulations

Section 25. The board shall make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as are necessary and proper for the conduct of the process of certification, including issuance, renewal or revocation of certificates, and to provide for hearings in the case of applicants whose requests for certificates have been refused or whose certificates have been suspended or revoked, in cases where application for such hearing has been made to the board.  No regulation shall be accepted for filing with the state secretary unless such regulation has been submitted to the clerks of the senate and house of representatives who shall refer such regulations to the appropriate joint committee for its review and comment ninety days prior to the effective date of said regulations. Said committee may submit written comments and suggested changes, if any, to the board at least sixty days prior to said effective date. The board in filing its regulations shall consider the comments and suggested changes and submit revised regulations, or a detailed explanation of why the suggested changes will not be adopted, to such committee at least thirty days prior to the effective date of the regulations.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 27 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 27 - Clerical Assistance, etc.; Expenditures

Section 27. The board may expend, subject to appropriation, such sums for clerical assistance and incidentals as may be necessary for the proper performance of its work.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 28 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 28 - Duties of Board

Section 28. The board shall:—  (1) Keep an official record of all its meetings or parts of meetings concerned with certification.  (2) Issue, suspend, revoke or renew certificates to properly qualified persons.  (3) Keep a roster showing the names and last-known business addresses of all persons holding certificates and furnish the information contained therein to the public on request.  (4) Furnish information as to the requirements for certification upon request and without charge to all prospective applicants.  (5) Hold examinations at least semi-annually if there are applicants for examination.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 29 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 29 - Librarians; Qualifications

Section 29. The board shall issue a certificate certifying as a professional librarian any person who requests certification upon a form prescribed by the board and who fulfills one or both of the following requirements:—  (1) Graduation from a library school accredited by the American Library Association or the passing of an examination which, with due consideration of education, professional training, practical experience and demonstrated ability, shall satisfy the board that the candidate has the qualifications required for the satisfactory practice of library work.  (2) The holding of an unexpired certificate issued by the proper authority in any state other than this commonwealth in which the requirements for certification are satisfactory to the board.  The board shall issue a certificate certifying as a sub-professional librarian any person who requests certification upon a form prescribed by the board and who, in the opinion of the board, is qualified to practice library work in a position not requiring the educational and other qualifications for certification as a professional librarian.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 30 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 30 - Fees

Section 30. The board may fix fees for the issuance of certificates and for their renewal.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 31 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 31 - Status of Existing Librarians; Certificates

Section 31. Any person who, upon the effective date of this act, is employed in a position defined as that of professional librarian or subprofessional librarian in section twenty-four, shall be granted a certificate as a professional or subprofessional librarian, if he makes application within two years after such effective date.
MA Gen L ch 78 § 32 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title XII - Education|Chapter 78 - Libraries|Section 32 - Library Staff Members; Leaves of Absence for Study or Research

Section 32. In a city or town which accepts this section the board of trustees of the public library or the city or town official possessing the appointive powers of such board may grant a leave of absence for study or research to any library staff member which would enable him to increase his professional ability, such leave to be for a period not exceeding one year at full or partial pay; provided, that prior to the granting of such leave said library staff member shall enter into a written agreement with said trustees or official that upon the termination of such leave he will return to service in the public library of such city or town for a period equal to twice the length of such leave and that, in default of completing such service, he will refund to the city or town an amount equal to such proportion of salary received by him while on leave as the amount of service not actually rendered as agreed bears to the whole amount of service agreed to be rendered.