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title-29•Title 29 — Libraries
Within the department of state there shall be a state library and, for the supervision of the state library, the secretary of state shall appoint a state librarian who has a master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited program who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary of state. The state librarian shall carry out the duties required by chapters 1 — 3 of this title. The state librarian shall continue to maintain and supervise the state library.
History of Section. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 31; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-1; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 4; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
The secretary of state shall have the care and custody of the state library, except the law library, and shall receive and preserve all materials and documents that may be sent to, or purchased for, the library.
History of Section. P.L. 1901, ch. 862, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 21; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 22; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for reference librarians in the state library, and the state librarian is hereby authorized and empowered to employ additional reference librarians. Reference librarians shall have a master’s degree from an American Library Association-accredited program. The state controller shall draw orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of all sums appropriated under the authority of this section, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon their receipt of proper vouchers approved by the state librarian and the secretary of state.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 2; P.L. 1905, ch. 1252, § 1; P.L. 1906, ch. 1350, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 2; P.L. 1909, ch. 442, § 1; P.L. 1910, ch. 592, § 1; P.L. 1914, ch. 1095, § 1; P.L. 1917, ch. 1499, § 1; P.L. 1919, ch. 1747, § 1; P.L. 1920, ch. 1915, § 1; P.L. 1922, ch. 2223, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 2; P.L. 1925, ch. 622, § 1; P.L. 1927, ch. 1019, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-3; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
The secretary of state shall annually, at the January session, make report to the general assembly of the condition of the library, and shall make such recommendations as he or she may deem advisable for the welfare thereof, and of the books purchased during the year preceding, and of the cost thereof.
History of Section. P.L. 1901, ch. 862, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-4.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1902, ch. 959, §§ 1-3; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, §§ 5-7; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, §§ 7-9; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, §§ 5-7; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-5; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 2, effective June 17, 2024; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 2, effective June 17, 2024.
The state librarian, with the consent of the secretary of state, is hereby authorized and empowered to sell, exchange, or destroy all duplicate books, pamphlets, or other surplus supplies, which, in his or her judgment, are not available for use in the state library. All such fees shall be deposited as general revenue.
History of Section. P.L. 1909, ch. 462, §§ 1, 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 10; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-6; P.L. 1988, ch. 374, § 2; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 98.
[Repealed]
There shall be in the state library, under the direction of the state librarian, a legislative reference bureau that shall collect, arrange, and place on file books, other material relating to legislation, and subscribe to databases relating to legislation; and that shall present such other information as may be useful and necessary to the general assembly in the performance of its legislative duties.
History of Section. P.L. 1907, ch. 1471, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 17; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 20; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 18; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-10; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 22; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
(a) The state librarian shall, with the approval of the secretary of state, employ such assistance and incur such expenses as may be necessary in the proper administration of the state library, and the general assembly shall annually appropriate such sum as it may deem necessary for this purpose.
(b) The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the amount appropriated, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon their receipt of proper vouchers approved by the state librarian and the secretary of state.
History of Section. P.L. 1907, ch. 1471, § 2; P.L. 1908, ch. 1554, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 18; P.L. 1911, ch. 729, § 1; P.L. 1913, ch. 935, § 1; P.L. 1917, ch. 1499, § 2; P.L. 1919, ch. 1747, § 2; P.L. 1920, ch. 1915, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 21; P.L. 1925, ch. 622, § 3; P.L. 1930, ch. 1600, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 19; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-11; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 1, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 1, effective June 17, 2024.
There shall be annually appropriated for labor in the state library, including cleaning, shifting, and sorting books, such sums of money as the general assembly shall deem necessary; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of all sums appropriated under authority of this section, or so much thereof as may from time to time be required, upon his or her receipt of proper vouchers approved by the state librarian and the secretary of state.
History of Section. G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 23; P.L. 1931, ch. 1792, § 1; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 22; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-12.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 21; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 21; G.L. 1938, ch. 23, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-13; Repealed by P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 5.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1944, ch. 1404, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-1-14; Repealed by P.L. 1978, ch. 404, § 1.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1972, ch. 144, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 22; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 2, effective June 17, 2024; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 2, effective June 17, 2024.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such a sum as it may deem necessary out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended by the state librarian for the purpose of caring for, preserving, and cataloguing the property of the state in the keeping of the Rhode Island Historical Society, including such historical materials as may from time to time be transferred to the society from the state library collections by the state librarian, and for the purchase and binding of books relating to the history of the state, and for copying and preserving the records of the several towns of the state, and the state librarian, with the approval of the secretary of state, may pay this sum to the Rhode Island Historical Society for this purpose.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 14; P.L. 1915, ch. 1207, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 17; P.L. 1929, ch. 1374, § 1; P.L. 1929, ch. 1398, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-1; P.L. 1978, ch. 404, § 2.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such a sum as it may deem necessary, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended by the state librarian for the purpose of caring for, preserving, and cataloguing the property of the state in the keeping of the Newport Historical Society, and for the purchase and binding of books relating to the history of the state, and for copying and preserving the records of the several towns of the state, and the state librarian, with the approval of the secretary of state, may pay this sum to the Newport Historical Society for this purpose.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 8; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 14; P.L. 1915, ch. 1207, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 17; P.L. 1929, ch. 1374, § 1; P.L. 1929, ch. 1398, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 15; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-2.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such a sum as it may deem necessary, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be expended by the state librarian for the purpose of caring for, preserving, and cataloguing the property of the state in the keeping of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and for the purchase and binding of books relating to the history of the state, and for copying and preserving the records of the several towns of the state, and the state librarian, with the approval of the secretary of state, may pay this sum to the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society for this purpose.
History of Section. P.L. 2023, ch. 144, § 2, effective June 20, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 145, § 2, effective June 20, 2023.
The state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of these sums, or so much thereof as may be required, upon his or her receipt of proper vouchers approved by the state librarian and the secretary of state.
History of Section. G.L., ch. 36, § 17, as enacted by P.L. 1929, ch. 1374, § 1; P.L. 1929, ch. 1398, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 15; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-3.
All books, periodicals, and papers in the keeping of the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and the Newport Historical Society, shall at all reasonable times be open to the use of all the citizens of the state, under the same conditions pertaining to the members of the society as long as funds are provided under §§ 29-2-1, 29-2-2, 29-2-2.1, and 29-2-3.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 10; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 16; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 19; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 17; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-4; P.L. 1978, ch. 404, § 2; P.L. 2023, ch. 144, § 1, effective June 20, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 145, § 1, effective June 20, 2023.
(a) The Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and the Newport Historical Society, respectively, shall place on file with the state librarian annual reports as to the manner in which the funds are expended, as long as funds are appropriated in accordance with §§ 29-2-1, 29-2-2, and 29-2-3.
(b) The Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and the Newport Historical Society, respectively, shall submit to the general assembly and the state librarian annually a plan for the preservation initiatives for the collections in its care. The report shall be submitted as part of the annual report of each agency.
(c) The Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society, and the Newport Historical Society, respectively, shall submit to the state librarian a disaster preparedness plan for the collection in its care on or before January 1, 1993. The plan will be maintained on file at the state library and will be updated annually.
History of Section. P.L. 1901, ch. 862, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 15; G.L. 1929, ch. 36, § 18; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 16; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-5; P.L. 1978, ch. 404, § 2; P.L. 1992, ch. 237, § 1; P.L. 2023, ch. 144, § 1, effective June 20, 2023; P.L. 2023, ch. 145, § 1, effective June 20, 2023.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such a sum as it may deem necessary, to be expended by the state librarian for the purchase, microfilming, and binding of newspapers published in this state, the copies to be received by the state librarian and to be deposited in the Rhode Island Historical Society in accordance with § 29-2-4, and the state controller is hereby authorized to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for this sum or sums, upon his or her receipt of vouchers approved by the state librarian and the secretary of state.
History of Section. G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 19; P.L. 1910, ch. 579, § 1; P.L. 1921, ch. 2034, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 22; P.L. 1935, ch. 2250, § 149; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 20; impl. am. P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 65; G.L. 1956, § 29-2-6; P.L. 1978, ch. 404, § 2.
The supreme court shall have the custody of the state law library, and shall be responsible for the care and keeping of it. The state law library shall be open to the public; provided, however, no library materials shall be taken from it, except for the use of the Rhode Island judiciary, the general assembly, officers and employees of the executive branch, and attorneys at law admitted to practice in the courts of this or any other state, but any person may use the books within the library rooms.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 6; C.P.A. 1905, § 1088; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 29-3-1; P.L. 2002, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 377, § 1.
The supreme court shall appoint a librarian, who shall cause the library to be kept open daily, Sundays and holidays excepted, from nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 a.m.) until five o’clock in the afternoon (5:00 p.m.), except during summer hours of the courts, when it may be closed at four-thirty o’clock in the afternoon (4:30 p.m.), and on Saturdays, when it may be closed at three o’clock in the afternoon (3:00 p.m.). The state court administrator, in consultation with the chief justice, shall have the authority to change the state law library hours for operational purposes and in the interest of public safety.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 6; C.P.A. 1905, § 1088; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 12; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 15; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 13; G.L. 1956, § 29-3-2; P.L. 2002, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 377, § 1.
[Repealed]
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 11; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 14; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 29-3-3; Repealed by P.L. 2002, ch. 222, § 2, effective June 28, 2002; P.L. 2002, ch. 377, § 2, effective June 28, 2002.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such a sum as it may deem necessary, to be expended under the direction of the justices of the supreme court, for the purchase of legal information, both print and electronic, for the state law library, the law library in the J. Joseph Garrahy judicial complex in Providence, the law libraries in Kent, Newport, and Washington Counties, and the judges and staff of the judiciary.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 28, § 7; P.L. 1899, ch. 619, § 1; C. P. A. 1905, § 1089; G.L. 1909, ch. 38, § 13; P.L. 1909, ch. 408, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 36, § 16; P.L. 1929, ch. 1313, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 22, § 14; G.L. 1956, § 29-3-4; P.L. 2002, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 377, § 3.
Within the department of administration, division of enterprise technology strategy and services, there shall be an office of library and information services under the direction of a chief of library services who shall be appointed by the director of administration and supervised by the chief digital information officer. The office is hereby empowered to cooperate with the Institute of Museum and Library Services of the United States of America in the carrying out of the purposes of any and all acts of Congress for the benefit of library and information services within this state. The office is hereby designated as the agency for the administration of any plan, or plans, heretofore or hereafter formulated, in conformity with any act, or acts, of Congress and is authorized to administer any such plan, or plans, and to enter into such agreements with the Institute of Museum and Library Services of the United States of America as may be, from time to time, required under this chapter or any acts, or act, of Congress, and, from time to time, amend any plan or plans, except any plan, or plans, or agreements, formulated or entered into or to be administered by the board of regents, board of governors, or the secretary of state.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-3.1-1; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 227, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 144, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 4, § 3.
For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise indicated by the context, the following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
(1) “Interlibrary cooperation” means two (2) or more independent libraries working together to achieve a common purpose;
(2) “Public library” means a library in a city or town that has been designated by the city or town council or town financial meeting as a library to provide library services to all individuals residing in the city or town;
(3) “Public library development” means the activities undertaken to strengthen, improve, or initiate library services that are provided by a public library; and
(4) “Resource sharing” means the sharing of library materials, the creation and maintenance of a statewide library catalog, providing statewide access to databases and/or staff expertise between two (2) or more libraries.
History of Section. P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 264, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 290, § 1.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 2, effective July 1, 1996.
[Reserved]
(a) There is hereby created the library board of Rhode Island, sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “library board”. The library board shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms for its public members, and is hereby made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges pertaining to public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing.
(b) The library board shall consist of fifteen (15) members appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, five (5) of whom shall be representative of general library users. The remainder of the governor’s appointments shall be representative of the following:
(1) Users of the Talking Books Library, the economically disadvantaged, and corporate or special librarians; school library media specialists;
(2) Librarians serving people who are institutionalized;
(3) Public library trustees and statewide library advocacy group; and
(4) Librarians from small public libraries, librarians from large or medium public libraries, and academic librarians.
(c) The commissioner for elementary and secondary education, or a designee, and the commissioner for higher education, or a designee, shall serve as nonvoting ex officio members.
(d) The governor shall appoint from the library board’s public members a chairperson. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems necessary.
(e) Board members shall receive no compensation for their services but shall be allowed travel expenses related to attendance at board meetings.
(f) No person shall be eligible for appointment to the board unless he or she is a resident of this state.
(g) Members of the board shall be removable by the governor pursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 and for cause only, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacity or fitness for the office shall be unlawful.
History of Section. P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 305, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 375, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 66; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 66; P.L. 2000, ch. 271, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 14, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 16, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 23; P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 1, effective July 9, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 1, effective July 9, 2021.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 2, effective July 1, 1996.
(a) The governor shall, with the advice and consent of the senate, appoint the members of the library board. Appointments shall be made for terms of three (3) years commencing on January 1st in the year of appointment and ending on December 31st in the third year thereafter.
(b) A member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy among the public members of the board shall be filled by appointment of the governor for the remainder of the unexpired term. Public members shall not be appointed for more than two (2) successive three-year terms.
History of Section. P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 305, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 375, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 14, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 16, § 2.
Public members of the library board shall be removable by the governor only for cause.
History of Section. P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 2, effective July 1, 1996.
(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.
The library board shall hold regular meetings at least six (6) times each calendar year. All meetings of the library board of Rhode Island shall be open to the public, provided that executive sessions may be held as subordinate parts of public meetings.
History of Section. P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 2; P.L. 1994, ch. 305, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 375, § 3.
The director of administration shall appoint a chief of library services.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-3.1-5; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 55, art. 26, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1.
The chief of library services shall be in the classified service and his or her salary shall be established in accordance with the terms of the pay plan for classified employees.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-3.1-6; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1.
The chief of library services shall be the executive and administrative officer in charge of the office of library and information services. The chief of library services shall be in a classified position of service, shall be appointed by the director of administration and shall report to the chief digital officer. The chief of library services shall serve as the chief executive officer of the library board. The chief of library services shall also carry out the duties required by this chapter and by chapters 5 and 6 of this title. In addition to the general supervision of the office of library and information services and the appointment of the several officers and employees of the office, it shall be the duty of the chief of library services:
(1) To develop 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 develop a master plan defining board 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;
(3) To communicate with, and seek the advice of, those concerned with, and affected by, the library board’s determinations;
(4) To develop and implement board policy as it pertains to the goals and objectives approved by the library board from time to time;
(5) To enforce standards and to exercise general supervision over interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in the state;
(6) To develop, annually, the program for the use of federal funds that is submitted to the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services;
(7) To supervise the operation of the office of library and information services, as defined elsewhere in this title, and such other additional duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the library board from time to time; and
(8) To supervise the following functions:
(i) To distribute state funds for public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing in accordance with law and regulations of the library board;
(ii) To develop standards and regulations for public library development and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(iii) To certify that public library standards and services are in accordance with law and regulations of the library board;
(iv) To require the observance of all laws relating to public library services and interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;
(v) To interpret library law;
(vi) To give assistance, advice, and counsel to public libraries and to participants in interlibrary cooperation and resource-sharing activities;
(vii) To require that information and statistics necessary to do the work of the office of library and information services be collected, to publish findings and reports thereon;
(viii) To provide eligible persons who are impaired, blind, reading impaired and/or physically impaired with library services through the Talking Books Plus, in cooperation with the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped;
(ix) To cooperate with the commissioner of elementary and secondary education in supporting and encouraging effective school library media services and their integration into statewide library networking activities;
(x) To cooperate with the state librarian and the state law librarian in strengthening services to library users;
(xi) To cooperate with the commissioner of higher education in supporting and encouraging effective library services through the state system of higher education; and
(xii) To coordinate with all other state departments and agencies in the provision of library services to state government and to the public.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-3.1-7; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 227, § 2; P.L. 1983, ch. 132, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 2; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 305, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 375, §§ 4, 5; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 83, § 66; P.L. 1999, ch. 130, § 66; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 142, art. 4, § 3; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 23.
The chief of library services may accept donations of funds or property, real or personal, for the office of library and information services and, in his or her discretion, with the approval of the library board, shall hold the donations in the form in which they were given for the purposes of the office of library and information services, or dispose of them, with any financial benefits accruing to the office of library and information services. The chief of library services shall be the authorized agent to accept, receive, and administer, with the approval of the library board, any and all funds, moneys, or library materials granted, furnished, provided, appropriated, and/or dedicated or made available by the United States of America or any of its departments, commissions, boards, bureaus, or agencies for library services in the state of Rhode Island other than funds, moneys, or library materials granted, furnished, provided, appropriated, and/or dedicated or made available directly to any agency or institution. The chief of library services shall turn over to the general treasurer, for proper custody and safekeeping, all the funds paid to the state from the federal treasury or other donating agency, and the general treasurer shall disburse these funds solely for the purpose provided by the original grantor upon orders drawn by the state controller upon his or her receipt of duly authenticated vouchers. Any funds lost or diverted from the purposes for which paid by the United States of America shall be repaid by the state to the United States of America.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-3.1-8; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 227, § 3; P.L. 1990, ch. 342, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 370, art. 40, § 99; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 8; P.L. 1996, ch. 249, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1.
[Repealed]
Whenever, in any general or public law, there shall appear the words “department of state library services” or “state library services,” such words shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “office of library and information services.” Whenever, in any general or public law, there shall appear the words “director of library services,” such words shall be deemed to refer to and to mean the “chief of library services.”
History of Section. P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 3; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 1.
The electors in any town, qualified to vote upon any proposition to impose a tax or for the expenditure of money in the town, voting at any financial town meeting, or in the case of any city, the city council, may appropriate such sum or sums as they shall deem proper for the foundation therein of a free public library, with or without branches, for all the inhabitants thereof, and to provide suitable rooms, land, buildings, and capital improvements for the library.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 36, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 46, § 5; P.L. 1914, ch. 1036, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 47, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 329, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-1; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
Any town or city having established a free public library therein, in the manner described in § 29-4-1, may annually, by the majority vote of the electors of the town qualified to vote and voting on the proposition, or by vote of the city council of the city, appropriate such sum or sums as it shall deem proper for the maintenance and increase of the library, and may take, receive, hold, and manage any devise, bequest, or donation for the establishment, maintenance, or increase of a public library therein. Any town or city may annually, in like manner, appropriate for the maintenance and increase of any free public library therein such sum or sums as may be deemed proper for the maintenance and increase of the free public library and for land, buildings, and capital improvements for such free public library.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 36, § 6; G.L. 1909, ch. 46, § 6; P.L. 1920, ch. 1838, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 47, § 6; G.L. 1938, ch. 329, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-2; P.L. 1958, ch. 105, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 116, § 1; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
Any town or city not owning a free public library may annually, by the majority vote of the electors of the town qualified to vote and voting on the proposition, or by vote of the city council of the city, appropriate such sum or sums as it shall deem proper for the maintenance and increase of any free public library therein and for land, buildings, and capital improvements for any free public library.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 36, § 7; G.L. 1909, ch. 46, § 7; G.L. 1923, ch. 47, § 7; G.L. 1938, ch. 329, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-3; P.L. 1958, ch. 105, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 116, § 1; P.L. 1964; ch. 233, § 2.
In case any library, or funds for the establishment thereof, may be offered to any city or town on the condition that the library shall be maintained as a free public library, the city council of any city, or town council of any town, is hereby authorized to accept this gift in behalf of the city or town.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 43, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 53, § 1; G.L. 1923, ch. 54, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 339, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-4; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
Whenever any city or town shall establish a free public library, or shall become possessed, as provided in this chapter, of any free public library, the city council or town council, as the case may be, shall proceed to elect a board of trustees, to consist of not less than three (3) members nor more than seven (7). As soon as possible after the election of the first board, the members thereof shall meet and be divided by lot into three (3) groups or classes, the terms of office of one group expiring in one year from the date of their election, those of another group in two (2) years, and those of the remaining group in three (3) years. With the expiration of the term of office of any member, the vacancy shall be filled by the city council or town council, as the case may be, for the term of three (3) years. Vacancies occurring by resignation, removal, death, or otherwise, shall be filled as above for the unexpired term thereof.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 43, § 2; G.L. 1909, ch. 53, § 2; G.L. 1923, ch. 54, § 2; G.L. 1938, ch. 339, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-5; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
The trustees shall take possession of the library, and shall, thereafter, be the legal guardians and custodians of the library. They shall provide suitable rooms for the library, arrange for the proper care of the library, choose one or more competent persons as librarians and fix their compensation, and make all needful rules and regulations for the government of the library and the use of the books; provided, that no fee for the use of the books shall ever be exacted.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 43, § 3; G.L. 1909, ch. 53, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 54, § 3; G.L. 1938, ch. 339, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-6; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
All appropriations from the city or town and state, and the income of all funds belonging to the library, shall be subject to the exclusive control of the trustees, and the several city and town treasurers shall pay, within the limits of the appropriations and other library funds in their hands, all bills properly certified by the trustees.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 43, § 4; G.L. 1909, ch. 53, § 4; G.L. 1923, ch. 54, § 4; G.L. 1938, ch. 339, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-7; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2.
In case of any bequest, legacy, or gift to, or in favor of, a public library, the trustees thereof are hereby authorized and empowered to accept the bequest, legacy, or gift on behalf of, and for the use of, the library, and their receipt shall be a full and sufficient discharge and release to any executor, administrator, or other person authorized to make the payment thereof.
History of Section. G.L. 1896, ch. 43, § 5; G.L. 1909, ch. 53, § 5; G.L. 1923, ch. 54, § 5; G.L. 1938, ch. 339, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 29-4-8; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 24.
Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 7.4 of title 22, the city council of the city of East Providence shall be authorized to name all libraries within the city.
History of Section. P.L. 1992, ch. 490, § 1.
The Interstate Library Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into by this state with all states legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:
INTERSTATE LIBRARY 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.
ARTICLE II. Definitions
As used in this compact:
(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 non-governmental 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 agencies 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.
(c) If a library agreement provides for joint establishment, maintenance or operation of library facilities or services by an interstate library district, such district shall have power to do any one or more of the following in accordance with such library agreement:
1. Undertake, administer and participate in programs or arrangements for securing, lending or servicing of books and other publications, any other materials suitable to be kept or made available by libraries, library equipment or for the dissemination of information about libraries, the value and significance of particular items therein, and the use thereof.
2. Accept for any of its purposes under this compact any and all donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, (conditional or otherwise), from any state or the United States or any subdivision or agency thereof, or interstate agency, or from any institution, person, firm or corporation, and receive, utilize and dispose of the same.
3. Operate mobile library units or equipment for the purpose of rendering bookmobile service within the district.
4. Employ professional, technical, clerical and other personnel and fix terms of employment, compensation and other appropriate benefits; and where desirable, provide for the in-service training of such personnel.
5. Sue and be sued in any court of competent jurisdiction.
6. Acquire, hold, and dispose of any real or personal property or any interest or interests therein as may be appropriate to the rendering of library service.
7. Construct, maintain and operate a library, including any appropriate branches thereof.
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 provisions 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 central 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.
ARTICLE VI. Library Agreements
(a) In order to provide for any joint or cooperative undertaking pursuant to this compact, public and private library agencies may enter into library agreements. Any agreement executed pursuant to the provisions of this compact shall, as among the parties to the agreement:
1. Detail the specific nature of the services, programs, facilities, arrangements or properties to which it is applicable.
2. Provide for the allocation of costs and other financial responsibilities.
3. Specify the respective rights, duties, obligations and liabilities of the parties.
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 or her 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 thereunder within ninety (90) 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 her, or it as to all matters within his or her, or its jurisdiction in the same manner and subject to the same requirements governing the action of the attorneys general pursuant to paragraph (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 an 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 terms 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.
ARTICLE X. Compact Administrator
Each state shall designate a compact administrator with whom copies of all library agreements to which his or her 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.
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 (2) 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 (6) 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.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-5-1; P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1.
No city, town, or library district of this state, hereinafter to be created, shall be party to a library agreement that provides for the construction or maintenance of a library pursuant to article III(c)7 of § 29-5-1, nor pledge its credit in support of that library, or contribute to the capital financing thereof, except after compliance with any laws applicable to the cities, towns, or library districts hereinafter to be created relating to or governing capital outlays and the pledging of credit.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-5-2; P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 25.
As used in § 29-5-1, “state library agency”, with reference to this state, means the chief of library services or his or her designated agent.
History of Section. P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 144, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 25.
An interstate library district lying partly within this state may claim and be entitled to receive state aid in support of any of its functions to the same extent and in the same manner as these functions are eligible for support when carried on by entities wholly within this state. For the purposes of computing and apportioning state aid to interstate library districts hereinafter to be created, this state will consider that portion of the area that lies within this state as an independent entity for the performance of the aided function or functions and compute and apportion the aid accordingly. Subject to any applicable laws of this state, the district also may apply for and be entitled to receive any federal aid for which it may be eligible.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-5-4; P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 25.
The chief of library services shall be the compact administrator pursuant to article X of § 29-5-1.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-5-5; P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 51, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 25.
In the event of withdrawal from the compact, the chief of library services shall send and receive any notices required by article XI(b) of § 29-5-1.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-5-6; P.L. 1963, ch. 22, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 144, § 4; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 25.
(a) The general assembly hereby declares it to be the policy of this state:
(1) That free public libraries are essential to the general enlightenment of citizens in a democracy;
(2) That these free public libraries shall provide for the cultural, educational, informational, and research needs of all citizens;
(3) That free public libraries are an integral part of the educational system at all levels and a source for vocational information and continued learning following the period of formal education; and
(4) That it is the responsibility of government at all levels to provide adequate financial support for all free public libraries.
(b) The general assembly further declares it to be the policy of this state to coordinate on a cooperative basis the resources of academic, free public, school, and special libraries to meet the expanding needs of all citizens and that it is the responsibility of government at all levels to provide adequate financial support to coordinate library resources throughout the state for improved library services to all citizens.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-6-1; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 3; P.L. 1967, ch. 227, § 5.
For each city or town, the state’s share to support local public library services shall be equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of both the amount appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year by the city or town from local tax revenues and funds from the public library’s private endowment that supplement the municipal appropriation; provided, however, the state in any year shall not be obligated to match any amount from the endowment that exceeds six percent (6%) of the three-year (3) average market value, calculated at the end of the calendar year, of the investments in the endowment. The amount of the grant payable to each municipality in any year in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of those grants in any year exceeds the amount appropriated that year for the purposes of this section.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 2002, ch. 65, art. 7, § 3; P.L. 2003, ch. 376, art. 20, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 458, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 520, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 563, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 25, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2; P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2, effective July 9, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2, effective July 9, 2021.
(a) To qualify for state aid under § 29-6-2, a city or town shall:
(1) Appropriate from local tax revenues an amount not less than the amount appropriated the previous year from local tax revenues and expended for library operating expenses. The appropriation would exclude any state funds received for public library services. Any funds received from the state shall not be used to supplant funds from local tax revenues;
(2) In the case of a city or town having more than one free public library therein, submit or cause to be submitted to the office of library and information services a plan for the allotment or division of the proposed state aid among the free public libraries in the city or town. The plan shall be developed by agreement among the free public libraries of the city or town;
(3) Submit or cause to be submitted to the office of library and information services evidence that free public libraries in the city or town meet standards of service as set forth in regulations to be made by the chief of library services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this title or that the regulations are inappropriate for that library;
(4) Submit or cause to be submitted a plan describing how the public library or libraries plan to address one or more of the priorities established by the office of library and information services.
(b) The chief of library services upon application and for cause shown may authorize an annual grant-in-aid under § 29-6-2, or a portion thereof, to a city or town not fully meeting the requirements set forth in subsections (a)(1)-(a)(3).
(c) Decisions as to the eligibility of cities and towns for grants-in-aid under this chapter, and the amounts of the grants-in-aid, shall be made by the chief of library services.
(d) The chief of library services shall require a preservation plan from any public library which receives an appropriation from the state of Rhode Island which states the preservation needs and objectives of the library for the coming fiscal year. The plan shall include, but not be limited to: condition of materials, assessment of building and environmental controls, and preservation measures to be taken.
(e) The chief of library services shall require a disaster preparedness plan from any public library which receives an appropriation from the state of Rhode Island which states the plan of action to be taken in the event of a natural or human made disaster. The plan shall be in accordance with a suggested plan published by the office. The plan shall be updated yearly.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 6, art. 19, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 15, § 3; P.L. 2009, ch. 68, art. 6, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 26; P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2, effective July 9, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2, effective July 9, 2021.
In cities or towns having more than one free public library, the boards of trustees, or other governing bodies of the libraries in the city or town, may appoint an interlibrary committee to include the principal librarian of each of the libraries and one other representative of each of the libraries, the committee to be known as a “library council”. The library council is hereby authorized to prepare and submit on behalf of a city or town the plan required by the provisions of § 29-6-3 for division of the proposed annual grant-in-aid to the city or town among the free public libraries therein. The library council may also serve as a means for promoting interlibrary cooperation in the city or town, and is authorized to advise the free public libraries therein on all matters relating to cooperative or joint library services, and may make recommendations pertaining thereto.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-6-4; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 3.
(a) Any city or town may enter into an agreement with another city or town, or more than one other, to establish or maintain free public library service, or one or more aspects thereof to citizens therein, and those agreements for cooperative library service shall be valid when approved and accepted by the boards of trustees or other governing bodies of the libraries concerned, and by the respective city or town councils of the cities and towns parties to the agreement, and signed by the appropriate library officers and city or town officials thereunto authorized.
(b) Agreements for cooperative library service may be entered into by, and between, two (2) or more free public libraries, whether or not they are in the same city or town; provided, however, in the case of a free public library established or existing under the provisions of § 29-4-1, the agreement shall not be valid until it has been approved and accepted by the council of the city or town where the library is located.
(c) These agreements shall be reported to the office of library and information services, and such appropriate and equitable adjustments in annual grants-in-aid under this chapter shall be made as the circumstances may require.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-6-5; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 3; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2.
The office of library and information services may cause to be paid to a city or town treasurer, or to any free public library in the state, a grant-in-aid for the construction and capital improvement of any free public library as the chief of library services may determine is necessary and desirable to provide better free library services to the public, which shall be paid in accordance with the following provisions:
(1) No grant-in-aid shall be made unless the city or town receiving the grant-in-aid shall cause to be appropriated for the same purpose an amount from its own funds and not from any federal grant or other federal financial assistance equal to, or more than, the state grant-in-aid, or unless funds from private sources are dedicated for the same purpose in an amount equal to, or more than, the state grant-in-aid, or unless the total of the city or town appropriation and the funds from private sources for the same purpose is equal to, or more than, the state grant-in-aid.
(2) The state grant-in-aid may be paid in installments over a period of years up to a maximum of twenty (20) years, beginning in the fiscal year during which the project is accepted by the office of library and information services. Whenever a grant-in-aid is paid on the installment basis permitted herein, there shall be included in the state grant-in-aid the interest cost actually incurred by the city or town, or any free public library, as a result of its having to borrow the state’s portion of the total cost of the library project. The amount of this interest cost shall be computed on the actual interest cost paid by the city or town, or free public library, less any applicable accrued interest, premiums, and profits from investments, over the period of time elapsing between the date borrowed funds are made available and the date of the last installment payment of the state grant-in-aid. Interest cost incurred by the city or town, or any free public library, as a result of having to borrow its portion of the total cost of the library project shall not be considered a part of the total cost of the project for the purposes of matching provided for in subdivision (1) of this section. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the office of library and information services from accelerating the schedule of annual installments, or from paying the balance due of the state’s grant-in-aid in a lump sum; provided, however, that the state grant-in-aid in any fiscal year shall include no less than one-twentieth (⅟₂₀) of the state’s total reimbursable principal obligations.
History of Section. G.L. 1956, § 29-6-6; P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 3; P.L. 1966, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 117, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 324, § 6; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 151, art. 12, § 12; P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2, effective July 9, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2, effective July 9, 2021.
For each state supported residential institution and the school for the deaf, the state’s share under this program to support library services for residents or students shall be gradually increased until the state’s share in fiscal year 2000 is equal to at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount appropriated and expended in the second preceding fiscal year by the institution for operating expenditures to support library services for residents or students.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3.
(a) To qualify for state aid under § 29-6-7, an institution shall:
(1) Allocate from its appropriation an amount not less than the amount allocated and expended the previous year for operating expenditures to support library services for residents or students; and
(2) Submit, or cause to be submitted, to the office of library and information services evidence that the library or libraries in the institution meet standards of service as set forth in regulations to be made by the chief of library services pursuant to the provisions of chapter 3.1 of this title.
(b) Any funds received from the state under this program shall not be used to supplant funds from other sources.
(c) The chief of library services, upon application and for cause shown, may authorize an annual grant-in-aid under § 29-6-7, or a portion thereof, to an institution not fully meeting the requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section.
(d) Decisions as to the eligibility of institutions for grants-in-aid under this chapter, and the amounts of the grants-in-aid, shall be made by the chief of library services.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2.
(a) In order to provide each individual in Rhode Island with equal opportunity of access to resources that will satisfy their and society’s information needs and interests, the office of library and information services is hereby authorized to establish a Rhode Island library network, hereafter referred to as the library of Rhode Island network (LORI), to be administered by the office of library and information services for the purpose of maintaining, promoting, and developing a program of statewide resource sharing and interlibrary cooperation. The office of library and information services shall include, as part of its budget, a budget for the administration and operation of the LORI network to:
(1) Provide central support services for the library of Rhode Island, such as delivery of materials, consultant services, resource sharing, and access to bibliographic and other information sources; and
(2) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2 and P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2.]
(3) Support the development, maintenance of, and access to the resource sharing potential embodied in specialized collections and services at the Providence public library and other libraries that can be provided most cost effectively on a statewide basis.
(b) By fiscal year 2000, the state shall provide, from state and federal revenue sources, one hundred percent (100%) of the funding for the following statewide library services:
(1) Reference resource center located in a public library to be chosen by the office of library and information services from responses to a request for proposals issued by the office of library and information services no less than every five (5) years;
(2) Interlibrary delivery system;
(3) [Deleted by P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2 and P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2.]
(4) Online resource sharing system to facilitate interlibrary loan; and
(5) A single point of access to all holdings of LORI member libraries.
(6) [Deleted by P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1.]
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b), the funding for the statewide access to databases shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly. The duty imposed upon the office of state library and information services to create and maintain a statewide interlibrary delivery and resource sharing system and provide statewide access to databases shall be subject to appropriation by the general assembly.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 264, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 290, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 191, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 211, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 125, § 1; P.L. 2011, ch. 136, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 26; P.L. 2021, ch. 282, § 2, effective July 9, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 283, § 2, effective July 9, 2021.
The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of §§ 29-6-2, 29-6-6, 29-6-7, and 29-6-9; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw his or her orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sums, or so much thereof as may from time to time be required, upon his or her receipt of duly authenticated vouchers.
History of Section. P.L. 1989, ch. 196, § 3.
If any provision of § 29-1-1, or of chapters 3.1, 4, or 6 of this title, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder of these provisions, and the application of these provisions to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby.
History of Section. P.L. 1964, ch. 233, § 6.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1980, ch. 144, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 29, § 5, effective July 1, 1996.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a state publications clearinghouse for libraries that will systematically collect and distribute state publications to libraries throughout the state in order to facilitate public access to publications issued by state agencies and for exchange of publications with agencies outside of the state under the direction of the state librarian as provided in § 29-1-5 [repealed].
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 27.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Depository library” means a library designated to collect, maintain, and make available state publications to the general public. The clearinghouse director shall consider the geography of the state when designating depository libraries.
(2) “Printed” means any form of printing and duplicating, regardless of format, with the exception of correspondence, and interoffice and intraoffice memoranda.
(3) “State agency” means any state office, whether legislative, executive, judicial, regulatory, an administrative body of the state, or any political subdivision thereof; including, but not limited to, any constitutional officer, department, division, bureau, board, commission, office, authority, any school, fire, or water district, and/or any other agency or quasi-public agency of Rhode Island state or local government which exercises governmental function and/or that expends state appropriated funds or any other public or private agency, person, partnership, corporation, or business entity acting on behalf of any public agency.
(4) “State publication” means any publication, regardless of physical form or characteristics produced, made available electronically, printed, purchased, or authorized for distribution by a state agency, except those determined by the issuing agency to be required for official use only for administrative or operational purposes.
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 511, art. 2, § 27; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 3, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 3, effective June 17, 2024.
There is hereby created, as a section of the state library, and under the direction of the state librarian, a state publications clearinghouse for libraries, hereinafter referred to as “the clearinghouse”. The clearinghouse shall promote the establishment of an orderly depository library system and shall maintain a complete and permanent collection of state publications. To this end, the secretary of state, with the assistance of the state librarian and the director of the state publications clearinghouse, shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 3, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 3, effective June 17, 2024.
The state librarian shall designate from the state library staff a director of the state publications clearinghouse. The director shall hold a graduate degree in library science from an accredited library school. The clearinghouse director shall maintain guidelines for documents officers on the state library’s website as well as in person to give guidance on what is a state document and how to send it to the clearinghouse. The clearinghouse director shall maintain an online catalog of recently acquired state publications regardless of form.
History of Section. P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 3, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 3, effective June 17, 2024.
Each state agency shall designate one person as its documents officer and shall notify the clearinghouse of his or her identity. The documents officer shall, prior to public release of a state publication, deposit with the clearinghouse as many tangible copies as are specified by the clearinghouse director of publications that are produced in printed or other tangible forms and for electronic publications, one electronic copy to be housed on a digital preservation platform and in an online catalog managed by the state library.
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-7-4; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 2008, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 3, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 3, effective June 17, 2024.
The clearinghouse may enter into depository agreements with any municipal library, public library, private college or university library, or research library in the state of Rhode Island, and shall provide for distribution of state publications to the Center for Research Libraries and the Library of Congress. The requirements for eligibility to become and continue as a depository library shall be established by the clearinghouse. The standards shall include, and take into consideration, the type of library, ability to preserve state publications and to make them available for public use, and such geographical locations as will make the publications conveniently accessible to residents in all areas of the state, except as otherwise provided by law.
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-7-5; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 3, effective June 17, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 3, effective June 17, 2024.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1983, ch. 254, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 29-7-6; P.L. 1985, ch. 196, § 2; P.L. 1997, ch. 101, § 1; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 4, effective June 17, 2024; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 4, effective June 17, 2024.
[Repealed]
History of Section. P.L. 1997, ch. 101, § 2; P.L. 2008, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 167, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 72, § 1; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 168, § 4, effective June 17, 2024; repealed by P.L. 2024, ch. 169, § 4, effective June 17, 2024.
[Repealed]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “The Freedom to Read Act”.
History of Section. P.L. 2025, ch. 415, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 416, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Censor” or “censorship” means to suppress, restrict, remove, or prohibit acquiring, library material on the basis of disagreement with the material’s origin, background, views, ideas, concepts, or identity of those contributing to its creation including, but not limited to, race, gender, sexuality, religious, or political views, but excludes content that is deemed developmentally inappropriate and provided further, excludes content:
(i) That the average person, applying contemporary standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest;
(ii) That the work, taken as a whole, clearly depicts or describes, in a patently offensive way, sexual conduct; and
(iii) That the work, taken as a whole, clearly lacks serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific value.
(2) “Developmentally inappropriate” means the material is not structured to account for a child’s age, and is misaligned with the cognitive, emotional, or social development of the intended age group as informed by standards and guidance from the American Library Association (ALA) or any other similar well recognized and established educational or developmental authority.
(3) “Government actor” means a member of a government body with voting authority.
(4) “Government body” means any government decision-making body or governing body, such as a library board or school board, that exercises authority over the purchasing, selection, curation, and location of library materials at the state or municipal levels, including a library board of trustees as provided for in § 29-4-5 and a school committee as provided for in § 16-2-9.
(5) “Individual with a vested interest in the public library” means any resident who is served by the public library and resides in the municipality where the library is situated.
(6) “Individual with a vested interest in the school library” means any teaching staff member employed by the school district, any parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school at the time the removal form is filed, and any student enrolled in the school at the time the removal form is filed.
(7) “Librarian” means a professionally trained employee who is responsible for the purchase, selection, curation, removal, and display of library materials.
(8) “Library material” means any material including, but not limited to, books, videos, subscription or locally curated databases, audio materials, government documents, interactive applications and software, and all other similar materials, whether tangible or in electronic form belonging to, on loan to, or otherwise in the custody of the public library or other material not required as part of classroom instruction.
(9) “Public library” means a library in a city or town that has been designated by the city or town council or town financial meeting as a library to provide library services to all individuals residing in the city or town.
(10) “Reconsideration” means a request to reclassify, move to a different section of the library, or remove an item in the library’s collection.
History of Section. P.L. 2025, ch. 415, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 416, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.
(a) In addition to the duties prescribed in § 29-3.1-7, the chief of library services shall establish a model policy on the curation of library material within a public library, that shall be approved and adopted by the library board of trustees.
(b) The model policy shall, at a minimum:
(1) Recognize that public libraries serve as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas;
(2) Provide protection against censorship of library material;
(3) Provide standards for the selection and curation of library material by the librarian, while also recognizing that library material should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people, and should present a wide range of points of view; and
(4) Establish criteria and a procedure based on professional standards for a librarian to review and the deaccession of library material within a public library on an ongoing basis, which shall include, but not be limited to: the library material’s relevance; the condition of the library material; the availability of duplicates; the availability of more recent material; and the continued demand for the library material.
(c) The model policy shall be updated as the chief of library services deems necessary.
(d) In the event a public library has a policy that complies with the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, the library shall not be required to take further action.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a librarian to purchase, or otherwise acquire, a particular library material for the library.
(f) In addition to the duties prescribed in § 29-3.1-7, the chief of library services shall establish a model policy creating a procedure regarding a request for reconsideration of library material in a public library, that shall be approved and adopted by the library board of trustees.
(g) The model policy shall, at a minimum, require:
(1) The creation of a request for reconsideration form, based on a model form established by the chief of library services, that shall be submitted by an individual with a vested interest in the public library in order to initiate the review of specific library material;
(2) That an individual with a vested interest in the public library requesting that library material be reconsidered shall review the material as a whole; identify sections of the material that the individual objects to; and provide an explanation for such objections. Selective passages from the material taken out of context shall not be considered under this review;
(3) That library material that is the subject of a request for reconsideration shall not be removed from its location within the library and shall remain available to reserve, check out, or access while the material is being reviewed;
(4) That the government body shall appoint a review committee, consisting of:
(i) At least one member of the government body;
(ii) The director of the public library;
(iii) A subject specialist librarian employed by the public library; and
(iv) Any additional library staff that the government body deems necessary;
(5) That the review committee pursuant to subsection (g)(4) of this section evaluate the request for removal form, review the challenged library material, and report in writing its decision to the individual and to the government body on whether to remove library material within thirty (30) business days from the date of receiving the form; and
(6) That the individual who filed the form for reconsideration may, within thirty (30) days of the decision, appeal the review committee’s decision to the government body which shall review the committee’s decision and make a final determination on whether the library material is to be removed from the public library, limited in use, or remain in place. A substantive rationale for restricting or removing library material shall be memorialized by the governing body in writing and made publicly available.
In issuing its final decision, a governing body shall provide a written statement of reasons for:
(i) The removal, limitation, or non-removal of a library material; and
(ii) Any final determination that is contrary to the recommendations of the review committee;
(7) That any library material that has been challenged pursuant to subsections (g)(1) — (g)(6) of this section shall not be subject to a subsequent challenge for at least one year;
(8) That the review committee when conducting a review pursuant to this section, and a governing body deciding an appeal of a decision of the review committee, shall consider the following standards for review:
(i) Recognize that library material should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people and should present diverse points of view in the collection as a whole;
(ii) Acknowledge that library material shall not be removed from a library because of the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation;
(iii) Recognize the importance of libraries as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas; and
(iv) Promote the free expression and free access to ideas by prohibiting the censorship of library material.
(h) In the event a public library has a policy that complies with the requirements of subsection (g) of this section, the library shall not be required to take further action.
(i) Any staff member of a public library, including a librarian employed by a public library, shall be immune from civil and criminal liability arising from good faith actions performed pursuant to this chapter.
(j) A government body shall not reduce funding for a public library due to the library’s compliance with the provisions of this section.
History of Section. P.L. 2025, ch. 415, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 416, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.
(a) Pursuant to the duties prescribed in § 16-1-5(7), the commissioner of elementary and secondary education, in collaboration with the chief of library services, shall establish a model policy on the curation of library material within a school library. Each school committee shall review the model policy established pursuant to this section and approve and adopt a policy that shall at a minimum:
(1) Recognize that school libraries serve as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas;
(2) Provide protection against censorship of library material;
(3) Provide standards for the selection and curation of library material while also recognizing that the library material should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all students and should present a wide range of points of view;
(4) Establish criteria and a procedure based on professional standards for a librarian to review and the deaccession of library material within a school library on a regular basis, which shall include, but not be limited to: the library material’s relevance; the condition of the library material; the availability of duplicates; and the continued demand for the library material; and
(5) Acknowledge that a certified school librarian is professionally trained to curate and develop the school library collection that provides students with access to the widest array of developmentally relevant library material.
(b) The model policy shall be updated as the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and chief of library services deem necessary.
(c) In the event a school district has a policy that complies with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the school committee shall not be required to take further action.
(d) Librarians employed at a school library shall have discretion in selecting, purchasing, or acquiring library material for inclusion in the school library, following the policy approved by the school committee. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a librarian to purchase, or otherwise acquire a particular library material for a school library.
(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict a school committee’s authority to select textbooks and school supplies related to the curriculum.
(f) Pursuant to the duties prescribed in § 16-1-5(7), the commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall establish, in collaboration with the chief of library services, a model policy creating a procedure regarding a request for reconsideration of library material within a school library. The school committee shall review the model policy established pursuant to this section and approve and adopt a policy that shall, at a minimum require:
(1) The creation of a request for reconsideration form, based on a model form developed by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and chief of library services, that is submitted by an individual with a vested interest to the principal of the school in which the library material is challenged. The principal is required to send the form promptly to the superintendent to initiate a review of the material;
(2) An individual with a vested interest in the school library requesting that library material be reconsidered shall review the material as a whole; identify sections of the material that the individual objects to; and provide an explanation for such objections. Selective passages from the material taken out of context shall not be considered for this review;
(3) Library material that is the subject of a request for reconsideration shall not be removed from its location within the library and shall remain available to reserve, check out, or access while the material is being reviewed;
(4) The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee shall appoint a review committee; consisting of:
(i) The superintendent or the superintendent’s designee:
(ii) The principal of the school in which the form is submitted or the principal’s designee;
(iii) A certified librarian employed at the school in which the form is submitted;
(iv) A representative of the school committee; and
(v) A grade-appropriate teacher provided the teacher selected is not the individual who submitted the form;
(5) The review committee must evaluate the reconsideration request, review the material and within thirty (30) days of receiving the reconsideration form report in writing to the individual and the school committee its decision whether to remove the library material, limit the library material, or leave the library material in place;
(6) That the individual who filed the form for reconsideration may, within thirty (30) days of the decision, appeal the review committee’s decision to the school committee which shall review the committee’s report and issue a final recommendation along with a written statement of reasons for:
(i) The removal, limitation, or non-removal of a library material;
(ii) Any final determination that is contrary to the recommendations of the review committee; and
(iii) The written statement of reasons shall be posted on the school committee’s internet website in a prominent and easily accessible location within thirty (30) days of the determination;
(7) The review committee, when conducting a review pursuant to this section and a school committee deciding an appeal of the review committee, shall consider the following standards for review:
(i) Recognize that library material should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all students and should present diverse points of view in the collection as a whole;
(ii) Acknowledge that library material shall not be removed from a school library because of the origin, background, or views of the library material or those contributing to its creation;
(iii) Recognize the importance of school libraries as centers for voluntary inquiry and the dissemination of information and ideas;
(iv) Promote the free expression and free access to ideas by students by prohibiting the censorship of library material; and
(v) Acknowledge that a school library media specialist is professionally trained to curate and develop the school library collection that provides students with access to the widest array of developmentally appropriate library material available to schools.
(g) In the event a school committee has a policy that complies with the requirements of subsection (a) of this section, the school committee shall not be required to take further action.
(h) Any staff member of a school library, including a librarian employed by a school, shall be immune from civil and criminal liability arising from good faith actions performed pursuant to this chapter.
History of Section. P.L. 2025, ch. 415, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 416, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.
(a) A librarian who has been subjected to discipline, termination, or threats of discipline or termination for refusing to censor library materials in violation of policies established pursuant to this chapter may seek relief against a government body in any court of competent jurisdiction for declaratory and injunctive relief including, but not limited to, reinstatement, back pay, restoration of benefits, and such other equitable relief as may be appropriate and necessary to make the employee whole.
(b) An individual with a vested interest in a school or public library may seek relief in any court of competent jurisdiction for declaratory and injunctive relief against a government body that enforces censorship of library materials in violation of policies established pursuant to this chapter.
(1) A student, or the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s), may only challenge censorship of library materials relating to a school that the student attends.
(c) An author whose library materials have been subjected to censorship may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for declaratory and injunctive relief against any government body that enforces censorship of library materials in violation of policies established pursuant to this chapter.
(d) Any school or library employee acting pursuant to direct orders from a municipal, state, or federal government authority shall not be liable for censorship.
(e) Any action or proceeding to enforce this section shall be commenced no later than one year after the date on which the violation of this section is committed.
History of Section. P.L. 2025, ch. 415, § 1, effective July 2, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 416, § 1, effective July 2, 2025.
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