2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 29 - Libraries › Chapter 29-3.1 - Office of Library and Information Services › Section 29-3.1-4.1. - Powers and duties of library board.

§ 29-3.1-4.1. Powers and duties of library board.
(a)
The library board shall communicate with, and seek the advice of, the chief of library services and all those concerned with, and affected by, its determinations as a regular procedure in arriving at its conclusions and in setting policy. The library board, however, shall not engage in the operation or administration of any library.
(b)
The library board shall have the following powers and duties:
(1)
To approve a systematic program of information gathering, processing, and analysis addressed to every aspect of public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in this state, especially as that information relates to current and future library and information service needs, so that current needs may be met with reasonable promptness and plans formulated to meet future needs as they arise in the most efficient and economical manner possible;
(2)
To approve a master plan defining broad goals and objectives for public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in the state. These goals and objectives shall be expressed in terms of the library and information services to which individuals will have access. The library board shall continually evaluate the efforts and results of the library and information services in the light of these objectives;
(3)
To approve board policy to implement the goals and objectives established and adopted by the library board from time to time; and to adopt and require enforcement of standards and regulations for public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(4)
To determine priorities of expenditures of state revenues and other public resources made available for the support of public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing purposes; provided that nothing contained in this subsection shall authorize the library board to alter the allocation of grants or aid otherwise provided by law;
(5)
To approve annually the program for the use of federal funds submitted to the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services;
(6)
To establish such committees as necessary or desirable for the conduct of any or all aspects of public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing, and to determine all powers and functions as well as composition of committees established and to dissolve the committees when their purpose shall have been fulfilled; provided that nothing contained in this paragraph shall be construed to grant the library board the power to establish subcommittees performing the duties and functions of local boards of trustees;
(7)
To exercise the following functions, powers, and duties:
(i)
To be responsible for the distribution of state aid funds for public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(ii)
To approve standards and regulations for public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(iii)
To enforce the provisions of all laws relating to public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing; and
(iv)
To decide and determine appeals from decisions relating to libraries of the chief of library services;
(8)
To exercise all other powers with relation to the field of public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing within this state not specifically granted to any other department, board, or agency, and not incompatible with law, which the library board may deem advisable;
(9)
To otherwise promote maximum efficiency and economy in the delivery of public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in the state;
(10)
To submit within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, and meeting minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions or other legal matters related to authority of the council; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this title; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year; and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the general assembly and secretary of state’s websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of administration shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection; and
(11)
To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the board, approved by the board, and conducted by the chair of the board. The board may approve the use of any board or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38; and the board’s rules and regulations. The director of the department of administration shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [March 31, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.
History of Section.
P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 14, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 16, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1.