1. According to MN statutes, what is the definition of a public library?
Public libraries are authorized under chapter 134 of MN statutes.
"Public library" means any library that provides free access to all residents of a city or county without discrimination, receives at least half of its financial support from public funds and is organized under the provisions of this chapter. Except as provided in section 134.195, it does not include libraries such as law, medical, school and academic libraries organized to serve a special group of persons, or libraries organized as a combination of a public library and another type of library.
2. List five basic services offered by all regional public library systems.
"Basic system services" means services offered by all regional public library systems either directly or by contract. These services shall include, but are not limited to,
1. communication among participants,
2. resource sharing,
3. delivery of materials,
4. reciprocal borrowing, and
5. cooperative reference service.
3. How many people may be on a library board established by a city or county?
When public library service is established, except in any city of the first class operating under a home rule charter, the mayor of the city with the approval of the council for a city library or the board of commissioners for a county library, shall appoint a board of five, seven or nine members from among the residents of the city or county.
4. Could an individual who lives outside your city be appointed to your city library board?
Members can be residents of the city or county.
5. How long may an individual serve on a library board?
Three years.
Note: A library board member shall not be eligible to serve more than three consecutive three-year terms.
6. What must be included in a library's annual report to it's governing body?
As soon as practicable following the end of the fiscal year the library board shall report to the governing body of the city or county
- all amounts received during the preceding year and the sources thereof,
- the amounts expended and for what purposes,
- the number of library materials on hand,
- the number purchased and loaned, and
- such other information as it deems advisable.
Subsequently, the library board shall file this information with the Department of Education on forms supplied by the department.
7. What criteria must be met by a joint school/public library?
- Public library services shall be available for simultaneous use by students and residents of the area.
- If public library services are located in an elementary or secondary school building, a separate entrance, accessible from the outside of the school building, shall be provided for use by the residents.
- The library shall meet all requirements in statutes and rules applicable to public libraries and school media centers. A media supervisor licensed by the Board of Teaching may be the director of the library.
- The library shall be centrally located in the community and available for use by residents during all hours the school is in session, at least 15 additional hours each week during evenings, and on Saturdays. When school is not in session, the library may reduce its hours to maintain at least the average number of hours each week of other public libraries serving its population size.
- The library shall have telephone service that is separate from the telephone service for the school.
- Public parking, restrooms, drinking water, and other necessities shall be easily accessible to residents.
