LIBRARY LEGISLATION
13
- of qualifications; manage state grants of money to libraries for. the purchase of books; conduct clearing-house for duplicates and gifts to libraries of the state; co-operate with state institutions and with other states, and perform such other service in behalf of public libraries as may be for the best interests of the state.
- Reports. Receive annual reports from libraries in the state; make regular reports to the governor to be presented to the general assembly on library conditions and progress in the state.
Outline of county library law (as originally exemplified in California and modified in other states).—
- 1. The supervisors may establish a free library for that part of the county lying outside of incorporated cities and towns maintaining free libraries. (Several states provide that they shall do so on petition of a certain percentage or a specific number of voters or after a favorable election. A number of states also provide for the disestablishment of a library and withdrawal from a contract.)
- 2. Cities and towns may join the county free library or may contract with the county free library for such service as they may desire; counties may contract with each other for joint library service or with a city library to extend its service to the county. (Some states omit the contract system and others vary in methods whereby a city library may become the center of a county library system. The Oregon law specifies in detail certain requirements of the contract.)
- 3. County law libraries, county teachers' libraries, and school libraries may join the county free libraries.
- 4. A tax of not over ten cents on $100 may be levied to support the county free library. (Some states also establish a minimum tax.)
- 5. The county library is controlled by the county supervisors. (The tendency in more recent laws is in favor of a
