SB269: Bill Text

Note: This Section authorizes DOA to allow regionally accredited 4-year nonprofit colleges and universities that are incorporated in this state or that have their regional headquarters and principal place of business in this state to participate in any telecommunications network administered by DOA.

SB269, s. 2 Section 2. 43.001 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,6,10 43.001 (1) (e) That the most effective use of library resources in this state can occur only through interlibrary cooperation among all types of libraries and the effective use of technology.

Note: This Section recognizes the importance of technology in library resource sharing.

SB269, s. 3 Section 3. 43.05 (14) of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,7,2 43.05 (14) Conduct an investigation of a public library system if at least 30% of the libraries in participating municipalities that include at least 30% of the population of all participating municipalities state in the report under s. 43.58 (6) (c) that the public library system did not provide effective leadership and adequately meet the needs of the library. If the division determines that the public library system did not provide effective leadership and adequately meet the needs of libraries participating in the system, it shall prepare a plan recommending how the public library system can do so in the future. The plan shall be distributed to the public library system board, the boards of all libraries participating in the system and the county boards of all counties participating in the system. In this subsection, "participating municipality" has the meaning given in s. 43.18 (1) (c).

Note: This Section requires DLCL to conduct an investigation of a public library system if, in annual reports to the division under s. 43.58 (6) (c), stats., as created by this bill, at least 30% of the libraries in participating municipalities that include at least 30% of the population of all participating municipalities state that the public library system did not provide effective leadership and adequately meet the needs of the library. If DLCL determines that the public library system did not provide effective leadership and adequately meet the needs of libraries participating in the system, it must prepare a plan recommending how the public library system can do so in the future. The plan must be distributed to the public library system board, the boards of all libraries participating in the system and the county boards of all counties participating in the system. "Participating municipality" means a municipality that operates a public library and is a member of a public library system.

SB269, s. 4 Section 4. 43.09 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,7,13 43.09 (2) Public library systems. The division, by rule, shall may promulgate necessary standards for public library systems. Such If promulgated, such rules shall be consistent with s. 43.15 and shall be established in accordance with ch. 227, except that the division shall hold a public hearing prior to adoption of any proposed rule. In addition to the notice required under s. 227.17, the division shall endeavor to notify each public library of such public hearings. Standards for public library systems shall be based on the population served, adequacy of the buildings and physical facilities, the qualifications and number of personnel, book resources and other library materials, financial support and such other standards as the division finds necessary to ensure adequate library service.

Note: This Section repeals statutorily specified bases for standards for administrative rules regulating public library systems and permits, rather than requires (current law), DLCL to promulgate necessary standards for public library systems.

SB269, s. 5 Section 5. 43.11 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,8,4 43.11 (1) Creation. Any county board may appoint a county library planning committee under this section. If a county board, in a county where all public library service is administered or coordinated by an existing county library board or where there is a single-county public library system board, determines to appoint a committee under this section, the existing library board shall may serve as the county library planning committee. The county board shall notify the division immediately upon appointment of the committee.

Note: Under current law, if a county board, in a county where all public library service is administered or coordinated by an existing library board, decides to appoint a county library planning committee, the existing library board must serve as the county library committee. This Section of the bill specifies that: 1) this provision also applies where there is a single-county public library system board; and 2) the existing library board is permitted, but not required, to serve as the planning committee.

SB269, s. 6 Section 6. 43.11 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: This Section repeals the provision specifying the composition of county library planning committees.

SB269, s. 7 Section 7. 43.11 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,8,14 43.11 (3) (title) Duties and powers. (a) The committee shall investigate the potential of a public library system in the county and adjacent counties, and may prepare a new plan for the organization of a county or multicounty system, revise an existing plan or change the boundaries of a public library system. It shall conduct public hearings concerning these plans, revisions and changes to which representatives of all libraries in the county shall be invited and shall cooperate with similar committees of adjoining counties for the purpose of planning multicounty public library systems.

SB269,8,20 (b) The committee's final report, including a plan for initial and long-range services a new plan, revisions to an existing plan or changes to the boundaries of a public library system and copies of any written agreements necessary to implement the proposed system proposal, shall be filed with the county board and submitted to the division. Plans for multicounty systems shall include a method for allocating system board membership among the member counties.

SB269,9,17 (c) The plan of library service for a county, whether for a single county or a multicounty system, shall provide for library services to residents of those municipalities in the county not maintaining a public library under this chapter. The services shall include full access to public libraries in the county participating in the public library system and the plan shall provide for reimbursement for that access. Services may include books-by-mail service, bookmobile service, the establishment of additional libraries or other services deemed appropriate by the committee. Services may be provided by contracting with existing public libraries in the county or in adjacent counties or with the public library system or by creating a county library organization under this chapter. The plan of library service for a county may provide for improving public library service countywide and in municipalities that have libraries. The plan shall specify the method and level of funding to be provided by the county to implement the services described in the plan and shall describe the services to be provided by the public library system and the allocation of state and county aid to fund those services, including the reimbursement of public libraries for access by residents of those municipalities in the county not maintaining a public library.

Note: This Section clarifies county library planning requirements.

SB269, s. 8 Section 8. 43.11 (3) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,9,24 43.11 (3) (d) The plan of library services for a county may include standards for public libraries in the county. The county shall hold a public hearing on any standards proposed under this paragraph. The standards shall take effect if they are approved by the county and the public library boards of participating municipalities that contain, according to the most recent estimate prepared under s. 16.96, at least 80% of the population of participating municipalities in the county.

Note: This Section permits the plan of library services for a county to include standards for public libraries in the county. The standards take effect if, after a public hearing, they are approved by at least 80% of the population of participating municipalities in the county.

SB269, s. 9 Section 9. 43.11 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

Note: This Section repeals the authorization for county library planning committees to dissolve.

SB269, s. 10 Section 10. 43.12 of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,10,12 43.12 County payment for library services. (1) By March 1 of each year, a county that does not maintain a consolidated public library for the county under s. 43.57 and that contains residents who are not residents of a municipality that maintains a public library under s. 43.52 or 43.53 shall pay to each public library in the county an amount that is equal to at least 75% of the amount computed by multiplying the number of loans reported under sub. (2) by the amount that results from dividing the total operational expenditures of the library during the calendar year for which the number of loans are reported, not including capital expenditures or expenditures of federal funds, by the total number of loans of material made by the public library during the calendar year for which the loans are reported.

SB269,10,18 (2) By July 1 of each year, each public library lying in whole or in part in a county shall provide a statement to the county clerk of that county that reports the number of loans of material made by that library during the prior calendar year to residents of the county who are not residents of a municipality that maintains a public library under s. 43.52 or 43.53 and the total number of loans of material made by that library during the previous calendar year.

SB269,10,21 (3) A county may enter into an agreement with a public library system to pay the amounts determined under sub. (1) to the public library system for distribution to the public libraries that participate in that system.

SB269,11,2 (4) Upon request of a county clerk, a public library shall provide access to all books and records used to determine the amount computed under sub. (2).

SB269,11,5 (5) Nothing in this section prohibits a county from providing it own additional funding for shared services. A library board may elect to have this funding credited to such shared services rather than to receive it as direct reimbursements.

SB269,11,9 (6) The county library board or, if no county library board exists, the county itself, shall either distribute the aid provided by the county to the public libraries, as provided in the plan prepared under s. 43.11, or shall transfer the aid for distribution to the public library system in which it participates.

SB269,11,11 (7) This section does not apply to a county having a population of 500,000 or more.

Note: This Section requires each county having a population under 500,000 that does not maintain a consolidated public library for the county and that contains residents of municipalities that do not maintain a public library to pay each public library in the county an amount to reimburse the public library for services provided to those county residents. The amount is determined by multiplying the total number of loans of material made by that public library to residents of the county who are not residents of a municipality that maintains a public library by that public library's "unit costs" of providing loans of library materials. "Unit cost" is determined by dividing the total operational expenditures of the library for the applicable period, not including capital expenditures or expenditures of federal funds, by the total number of loans of material made by the public library during that period.

SB269, s. 11 Section 11. 43.15 (1) (a) and (b) of the statutes are repealed and recreated to read:

SB269,11,18 43.15 (1) (a) Have a population of 100,000 or more. If, because of the withdrawal or realignment of participating municipalities or counties, a public library system has a population under 100,000, the remaining parts of the system shall realign with an existing system within 2 years after the date on which the population falls below 100,000.

SB269,12,2 (b) After July 1, 1998, no new system may be established unless it serves a population of at least 200,000.

Note: This Section revises minimum population requirements for public library systems.

SB269, s. 12 Section 12. 43.15 (2) (c) 1. and 2. and (d) of the statutes are amended to read:

SB269,12,7 43.15 (2) (c) 1. Subtract the previous year's equalized valuation of that portion of the city, village, town or school district that is located in the county from the previous year's equalized valuation of the county property in the county that was subject to the county tax levied in the previous year.

SB269,12,10 2. Divide the remainder under subd. 1. by the previous year's equalized valuation of the county property in the county that was subject to the county tax levied in the previous year.

SB269,12,19 (d) For the year following a the first year for which an exemption is granted under s. 43.64 (2), the product calculated under par. (c) 3. shall be the amount used as the annual county support level for the 2 preceding years preceding the first year for which an exemption is granted for the purpose of calculating the 3-year average under par. (b). For the 2nd year following a the first year for which an exemption is granted under s. 43.64 (2), the product calculated under par. (c) 3. shall be the amount used as the annual county support level for the 2nd year preceding the year for which the exception is granted for the purpose of calculating the 3-year average under par. (b).

Note: Under current law, a county must generally maintain its financial support for library services at a level not lower than the average of the previous 3 years' support (the maintenance of effort requirement). Property within municipalities is subject to the county property tax levy for library services unless the municipality appropriates and spends for a library fund a sum at least equal to the municipality's share of the county property tax levy for library services in the prior year. When a municipality that has previously been subject to the county property tax levy for library services qualifies for this exemption from the tax, the county may recalculate its maintenance of effort requirement and reduce its financial support for library services.

This reduction is computed by: 1) subtracting the previous year's equalized valuation of tax-exempt property in the municipality from the equalized valuation of property in the county for the previous year; and 2) dividing this remainder by the previous year's equalized valuation of property in the county. Under this Section of the bill, the reduction in the county's maintenance of effort requirement would be computed by subtracting the previous year's equalized valuation of tax-exempt property in the municipality from the equalized valuation of property within the county that was subject to the county property tax levy for library services in the previous year and dividing this remainder by the previous year's equalized valuation of property within the county that was subject to the county property tax levy for library services in that year.

SB269, s. 13 Section 13. 43.15 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,13,5 43.15 (3) (c) If the territory of a joint library lies in 2 or more counties that are not in the same public library system, the joint library board or, if no such board exists, the governing bodies of the municipalities and counties that created the joint library shall determine the system in which the joint library will participate.

Note: This Section requires that all territory within a joint library be included in the same public library system. If the territory of a joint library lies in 2 or more counties that are not in the same public library system, the joint library board or, if no such board exists, the governing bodies of the municipalities and counties forming the joint library, must determine the public library system in which the joint library will participate.

SB269, s. 14 Section 14. 43.15 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,13,14 43.15 (4) (a) A public library system may be organized as a single-county federated public library system, a multicounty federated public library system or a single-county consolidated public library system. A single-county public library system, whether federated or consolidated, may become part of a multicounty federated public library system by written agreement of the county board. Two public library systems may merge with the approval of each public library system board, the county boards of the participating counties and 51% of the participating public libraries in the system.

Note: This Section repeals a provision permitting a single-county public library system (federated or consolidated) to become a part of a multicounty federated system by written agreement of the county board and creates a provision permitting 2 systems to merge with the approval of each public library system board, the county boards of the participating counties and 51% of the participating public libraries in the system.

SB269, s. 15 Section 15. 43.15 (4) (c) 5. of the statutes is renumbered 43.15 (4) (c) 5. (intro.) and amended to read:

SB269,14,7 43.15 (4) (c) 5. (intro.) Receives funding from the municipal or, for a consolidated county library or a county library service, from the county governing body at a level that is not lower than the average of such funding received for the previous 3 years. The following are not included as funding for purposes of computing the 3-year average:

Note: See the Note to Section 16.

SB269, s. 16 Section 16 . 43.15 (4) (c) 5. a., b. and c. of the statutes are created to read:

SB269,14,10 43.15 (4) (c) 5. a. Funding received from a state, federal or private source that has been designated as funding for library services.

SB269,14,12 b. Unspent funding appropriated by a municipality or county for library services for a prior year.

SB269,14,13 c. For a municipal or joint public library, funding received from a county.

Note: This Section provides that a municipal, county or joint public library may not include the following funding to satisfy the maintenance of effort requirement:

1. Funding from the state, the federal government or a private source that has been designated by the source for library services.

2. Unspent funding that was appropriated in a prior year by the municipality or county for library services.

3. For a municipal or joint public library, funding for library services from a county.

SB269, s. 17 Section 17. 43.17 (2m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,15,2 43.17 (2m) Advisory committee. Every public library system may appoint a public library advisory committee to, among other things, advise the system board about the status and needs of libraries in the system, serve as a conduit of information between the system board and individual libraries in the system and make recommendations to the system board relating to libraries in the system.

Note: This Section permits every public library system to appoint a public library advisory committee.

SB269, s. 18 Section 18. 43.18 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,15,8 43.18 (1) (a) With the approval of the governing body of each participating municipality in the county bodies of participating municipalities that contain, according to the most recent estimate prepared under s. 16.96, at least 80% of the population of participating municipalities in the county, a county may withdraw from a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties.

Note: Under current law, if a county wishes to withdraw from a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties, it must obtain the approval of the governing body of each participating municipality in the county. This Section provides that a county may withdraw from a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties if it obtains the approval of the governing bodies of participating municipalities that contain at least 80% of the population of participating municipalities in the county.

SB269, s. 19 Section 19. 43.18 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,15,13 43.18 (3) (e) A municipality or county that has withdrawn or that has been expelled from a public library system may participate in a public library system only by fulfilling the requirements for initial participation under s. 43.15 (4) (b) or (c) and by adopting a new plan of library service for the county.

Note: This Section clarifies that a municipality or county that has withdrawn or been expelled from a public library system must comply with the requirements of initial participation and must adopt a new plan of library service for the county before it may participate in a public library system.

SB269, s. 20 Section 20. 43.19 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,16,5 43.19 (1) (a) In a federated public library system whose territory lies within a single county, the system board shall consist of 7 members appointed nominated by the county executive, or by the county board chairperson in a county without a county executive, and approved by the county board. At least 3 members of the system board, at the time of their appointment, shall be active voting members of library boards governing public libraries of participating municipalities, and at least one of these shall be a member of the library board governing the resource library. At least one but not more than 2 members of the county board shall be members of the system board at any one time.

Note: This Section requires members of a system board in a federated public library system whose territory lies within a single county to be nominated by the county executive, or by the county chairperson in a county without a county executive and approved by the county board. Current law requires the system board to be appointed by the county board and does not specify a nomination process.

SB269, s. 21 Section 21 . 43.19 (1) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 43.19 (1) (b) 1. and amended to read:

SB269,16,21 43.19 (1) (b) 1. In Except as provided in subd. 2., in a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties, the system board shall consist of at least 15 and not more than 20 members appointed by the county boards, acting jointly nominated by the county executive in each county in the system, or by the county board chairperson in a county without a county executive, and approved by each county board in the system. Appointments shall be in proportion to population as nearly as practical, but, except as provided in subd. 2., each county shall be represented by at least one member on the system board. Each county board may appoint one county board member to the system board. The public library board governing the designated resource library shall have at least one member on the system board. The remaining system board members shall include such representatives of the library boards governing public libraries of participating municipalities and counties and public members appointed from the counties at large as the county board determines.

SB269, s. 22 Section 22 . 43.19 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,17,3 43.19 (1) (b) 2. A system board appointed under subd. 1. may consist of more than 20 members if the county boards, acting jointly, determine that each county in the system shall be represented by at least 2 members on the system board.

Note: Section 21 specifies that in a federated public system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties, the members of the system board must be: 1) nominated by the county executive in each county in the system, or by the county board chairperson in a county without a county executive; and 2) approved by each county board in the system. Current law requires the members of the system to be appointed by the county boards of the counties in the system, acting jointly, and does not specify a nomination process.

Section 22 permits the system board of a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties to consist of more than 20 members if the county boards, acting jointly, determine that each county in the system should be represented by at least 2 members on the system board. Current law limits the board in such a system to not more than 20 members.

SB269, s. 23 Section 23. 43.24 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,17,8 43.24 (1) (a) 3. An Except as provided in subd. 4., an amount equal to 4% of the total operating expenditures for public library services in territory within the system from local and county sources in the calendar year ending in the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which aids are to be paid.

SB269, s. 24 Section 24. 43.24 (1) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

SB269,17,14 43.24 (1) (a) 4. In the 2nd calendar year following the first fiscal year that the total amount of state aid appropriated for public library systems under s. 20.255 (3) (e) equals at least 13% of the total operating expenditures under subd. 3. and in every calendar year thereafter, an amount equal to 2% of the total operating expenditures specified under subd. 3.

Note: Under current law, the amount of state aid given to a particular public library system is based upon a formula consisting of 3 factors: 1) the area of the public library system in square miles; 2) local expenditures for library services in the public library system; and 3) the population of the public library system. For each square mile of territory in a public library system, a single-county system receives $8 per year and a multicounty system receives $20 per year. Each public library system also receives 4% of total operating expenditures (the expenditure factor) by counties and municipalities within the public library system for public library services in the 2nd preceding calendar year. The area and expenditure payments for each system are totaled and subtracted from the total state library aid appropriation. The remaining amount is then divided by the population of all public library systems to establish a per capita amount. Each public library system's aid payment is computed by multiplying the public library system's population by the per capita amount and adding to this product the amounts generated by the public library system's area and expenditure factors.

These Sections provide for a reduction in the expenditure factor from 4% to 2% of total operating expenditures in the 2nd calendar year following the first fiscal year that the total amount of state aid appropriated for public library systems equals 13% of the total operating expenditures and for every calendar year thereafter.

SB269, s. 25 Section 25. 43.24 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB269,18,7 43.24 (2) (a) Interlibrary Written agreements to provide, to any resident of the system area, the same library services, on the same terms, that are provided to the residents of the municipality or county that established the member library, except for the group programming preference authorized under s. 43.15 (4) (c) 4., and to provide for the interlibrary loan of materials among all participating public libraries, as evidenced by agreements with those libraries.

Note: Current law provides, as a condition of receiving state aid, that a public library system provide, among other things, interlibrary loan of materials among all participating libraries. Current law also provides that a municipal, county or joint public library may participate in a public library system if, among other things, it enters into a written agreement with a public library system board to participate in the interlibrary loan of materials and to provide the same library services, on the same terms, to residents of the municipality or county that establishes the member library. This Section makes the requirements in the 2nd provision requirements for receiving state aid.

SB269, s. 26 Section 26. 43.24 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: