(75 ILCS 10/2) (from Ch. 81, par. 112)
Sec. 2.
Definitions.
As used in this Act:
"Library system" means any one of the following:
(1) A multitype library system serving (i) a minimum |
| of 150,000 inhabitants or (ii) an area of not less than 4,000 square miles and serving a minimum 10 or more public libraries, elementary and secondary school libraries, institutions of higher education libraries, and special libraries.
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(2) A public library system consisting of a single
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| public library serving a city of over 500,000 population.
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(3) A multitype library system that serves the same
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| territory as a library system under subparagraph (2) of this definition that provides service to elementary and secondary school libraries, institutions of higher education libraries, and special libraries.
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"Special library" includes, but is not limited to, libraries with unique
collections or specialized services recognized by the State Library.
(Source: P.A. 93-527, eff. 8-14-03.)
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(75 ILCS 10/3) (from Ch. 81, par. 113) Sec. 3. The State Librarian and the Illinois State Library staff shall administer the provisions of this Act and shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry the provisions of this Act into effect. The rules and regulations established by the State Librarian for the administration of this Act shall be designed to achieve the following standards and objectives: (A) Provide library service for every citizen in the |
| State by extending library facilities to areas not now served.
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(B) Provide library materials for student needs at
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(C) Provide adequate library materials to satisfy the
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| reference and research needs of the people of this State.
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(D) Provide an adequate staff of professionally
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| trained librarians for the State.
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(E) Adopt the American Library Association's Library
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| Bill of Rights that indicates materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or, in the alternative, develop a written statement declaring the inherent authority of the library or library system to provide an adequate collection of books and other materials sufficient in size and varied in kind and subject matter to satisfy the library needs of the people of this State and prohibit the practice of banning specific books or resources.
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(F) Provide adequate library outlets and facilities
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| convenient in time and place to serve the people of this State.
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(G) Encourage existing and new libraries to develop
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| library systems serving a sufficiently large population to support adequate library service at reasonable cost.
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(H) Foster the economic and efficient utilization of
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(I) Promote the full utilization of local pride,
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| responsibility, initiative, and support of library service and, at the same time, employ State aid as a supplement to local support.
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The Advisory Committee of the Illinois State Library shall confer with, advise, and make recommendations to the State Librarian regarding any matter under this Act and particularly with reference to the formation of library systems.
(Source: P.A. 103-100, eff. 1-1-24; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.)
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(75 ILCS 10/4) (from Ch. 81, par. 114)
Sec. 4.
(a) A
library
system
shall be established in the following manner: The formation of a library
system of 10 or more public libraries or of a public library serving a
city of over 500,000 population shall first be approved by the boards
of directors of the participating public library or libraries, followed
by the election or selection of a board of directors for the library
system as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of this Act. Subject to rules
adopted by the State Librarian, an application for the
formation of a library
system shall
be submitted by the board of directors of the system to the State Librarian,
together with a plan of service describing the specific purposes for which
the system is formed and the means by which such purposes are to be
accomplished.
If it shall appear to the satisfaction of the State Librarian that the
establishment
of a library system will
result in improved library service, he shall approve the application.
The State Librarian shall
provide that all areas of the State fall within the boundaries of a library
system. The State Librarian shall have the right to grant provisional status
for a period of not more than 3 years from the date of submission of the
application for creation of a
library system if, in his judgment,
provisions in the bylaws or plan of service of the proposed
library
system fail to meet the criteria established in this Act or in the rules
and regulations authorized by this Act. If the deficiencies noted by the
State Librarian in granting provisional status
are not corrected within the 3 year period, the provisional
status of the system shall be rescinded and the assets of the provisional system shall be liquidated as provided for in Section 13
or the provisional system shall submit a plan for consolidation with
an adjoining existing system. In such case the State
Librarian shall assume fiscal and administrative responsibility for maintenance
of services until a library system status is reestablished or a determination
is made by the State Librarian as to the most efficient means of
delivering service to the libraries of the system.
Upon the finding of the State Librarian that an existing library system
has
failed to meet the criteria established by this Act or the rules authorized by
this Act, the State Librarian shall give due notice to the library system board
to respond to and address the finding. Upon the failure of the library system
board to adequately respond to the finding, the State Librarian may assume
fiscal and administrative responsibility for the library system. Upon taking
such action,
the State Librarian may hold a public hearing on the action. The process for
these actions shall be prescribed by administrative rule.
(b) A multitype library system as defined in subparagraph (3) of the
definition of "library system" in Section 2
that, prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General
Assembly, was
organized and provided service as a multitype library system that served a
public library in a city with a population of 500,000 or more need not
reorganize for formation as a new library system but may, at the discretion of
the State Librarian, continue as a library system subject to conditions and
restrictions of this Act and any stipulations of the State Librarian.
(Source: P.A. 93-527, eff. 8-14-03.)
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(75 ILCS 10/7) (from Ch. 81, par. 117)
Sec. 7.
Each board of library directors of a system shall carry out
the spirit and intent of this Act and, in addition to the other powers
conferred by this Act, shall have the following powers:
1. To develop and to amend the bylaws and the plan of service
for the system subject to the approval of the State Librarian.
2. To have the exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys
and funds held in the name of the library system.
3. To make and adopt such policies, rules and regulations for the
government and operation of the library system as necessary.
4. To purchase or lease ground and to construct, purchase or lease,
and occupy an appropriate building or buildings for the use of the
library system including but not limited to the power to purchase or
lease either real or personal property for system purposes through
contracts which provide for the consideration for such purchase or lease
to be paid through installments at stated intervals during a certain
period not to exceed 20 years together with interest at a rate not to
exceed the interest rate specified in Section 2 of the Bond Authorization
Act on
the unpaid balance owing and to purchase real estate for system purposes
upon a mortgage basis for up to 75% of the total consideration therefor,
the remaining balance to be paid through installments at stated
intervals for a period not to exceed 20 years together with interest at
a rate not to exceed the interest rate specified in Section 2 of the Bond
Authorization Act on the unpaid balance owing, except that in the case
of a library system consisting of a single public library or multitype
library system serving a city
of over 500,000 population, this power shall be governed by the
provisions of Division 10 of Article 8 of the Illinois Municipal Code.
5. To appoint and to fix the compensation of a competent librarian,
who shall have the authority to hire such other employees as may be
necessary, to fix their compensation, and to remove such appointees,
subject to the approval of the board. The board may also retain counsel
and professional consultants, as needed.
6. To contract with any public or private corporation or entity for
the purpose of providing or receiving library service or of performing
any and all other acts necessary and proper to carry out the
responsibilities and the provisions of this Act. This power includes,
but is not limited to participation in interstate library compacts and
library systems, and the expenditure of any federal or State funds made
available to any county, municipality, township or to the State of
Illinois for library purposes.
7. To accrue and accumulate funds in special reserve funds
pursuant to the provisions of a plan to acquire realty, improved or unimproved,
for library system purposes.
8. To be a body politic and corporate, to contract and to hold
title to property by the name of the "Board of Directors of the .... Library
System, ...., Illinois", and in that name to sue and be sued and to take
any action authorized by law.
9. To undertake programs for the purpose of encouraging the
addition to the district of adjacent areas without local tax-supported
library service, and to expend funds for this purpose.
10. To join the library system as a member in the Illinois
Library Association and the American Library Association, non-profit,
non-political,
501(c)(3) associations, as designated by the federal Internal
Revenue Service,
having the purpose of library development and librarianship; to provide
for the payment of annual membership dues, fees and assessments and act
by, through and in the name of such instrumentality by providing and
disseminating
information and research services, employing personnel and doing any and
all other acts for the purpose of improving library development.
11. To take and to have title to any personal or real property
acquired by it for library system purposes.
12. To borrow funds for the purpose of expanding or improving the
system's facilities through the mortgaging of system owned property or of
borrowing against other system owned assets.
The mortgaging of system owned property or the borrowing against other
system owned assets shall not exceed 75% of the value thereof.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)
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(75 ILCS 10/7.5)
Sec. 7.5.
Regional library service planning panels.
(a) Each regional multitype library system shall establish one or more
regional library service planning panels in such a manner that all
territory within the system boundaries is assigned to a planning panel. A
library system having fewer than 10% of the people within its jurisdiction
unserved by a public
library may establish one planning
panel that coincides with the system boundaries. A library system having
more than 10% of the people within its jurisdiction unserved by a public
library may establish more than one planning panel
based on county boundary lines
within the library system area and incorporating all or part of one or more
counties. A regional library service planning panel shall consist of
7 or more members, broadly representative of the designated area, appointed
by the Secretary of State in his or her capacity as State Librarian upon
recommendations submitted by the multitype library system serving that region.
Membership shall include representation from existing public libraries, local,
county, or regional
government entities, persons
residing in areas served by a public library, and persons residing in
areas unserved by a public library within the
region's boundaries. Members of a panel may be reimbursed for actual and
necessary expenses incurred.
(b) Each regional planning panel shall work in conjunction with the
library system to develop, approve, and submit to the Secretary of State, no
later than January 1, 1997, a plan detailing how existing library service
providers may extend public library services to those people unserved by a
public library at that time. Approved plans shall
(i) include, but not be limited to, a program for implementation and a schedule
for
achieving regional goals no later than January 1, 2000 and (ii) describe on a
county by county basis how
universal public library service can be delivered within
the designated region.
(c) Reports submitted by each regional library service planning panel to
the Secretary of State shall describe and explain suggested boundaries for
public
library service areas within the region, the process by which each described
service area
will receive public library service
from an existing library service provider, funding recommendations
appropriate to each circumstance, suggested timetable for implementation for
each portion of the regional plan, and other information as requested by the
Secretary of
State.
(Source: P.A. 89-188, eff. 7-19-95.)
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(75 ILCS 10/8) (from Ch. 81, par. 118) (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 104-108) Sec. 8. State grants. (a) There shall be a program of State grants within the limitations of funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly together with other funds made available by the federal government or other sources for this purpose. This program of State grants shall be administered by the State Librarian in accordance with rules and regulations as provided in Section 3 of this Act and shall include the following: (i) annual equalization grants; (ii) Library System grants; (iii) per capita grants to public libraries; and (iv) planning and construction grants to public libraries and library systems. Libraries, in order to be eligible for grants under this Section, must be members of a library system. (b) An annual equalization grant shall be made to all public libraries for which the corporate authorities levy a tax for library purposes at a rate not less than .13% of the value of all the taxable property as equalized and assessed by the Department of Revenue if the amount of tax revenue obtained from a rate of .13% produces less than $17.50 per capita in property tax revenue from property taxes for Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. In that case, the State Librarian is authorized to make an equalization grant equivalent to the difference between the amount obtained from a rate of .13% and an annual income of $17.50 per capita for grants made in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. If moneys appropriated for grants under this Section are not sufficient, then the State Librarian shall reduce the per capita amount of the grants so that the qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita, but in no event shall the grant be less than equivalent to the difference between the amount of the tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $4.25 per capita. If a library receiving an equalization grant reduces its tax levy below the amount levied at the time the original application is approved, it shall be ineligible to receive further equalization grants. If a library is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code and its tax levy for library purposes has been lowered to a rate of less than .13%, the library will qualify for this grant if the library levied a tax for library purposes that met the requirements for this grant in the previous year and if the tax levied for library purposes in the current year produces tax revenue for the library that is an increase over the previous year's extension of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, and the tax revenue produced by this levy is less than $17.50 per capita in property tax revenue from property taxes for the Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. In this case, the State Librarian is authorized to make an equalization grant equivalent to the difference between the amount of tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $17.50 per capita for grants made in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. If moneys appropriated for grants under this Section are not sufficient, then the State Librarian shall reduce the per capita amount of the grants so that the qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita, but in no event shall the grant be less than equivalent to the difference between the amount of the tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $4.25 per capita. If a library receiving an equalization grant reduces its tax levy below the amount levied at the time the original application is approved, it shall be ineligible to receive further equalization grants. (c) Annual Library System grants shall be made, upon application, to each library system approved by the State Librarian on the following basis: (1) For library systems, the sum of $1.46 per capita |
| of the population of the area served plus the sum of $50.75 per square mile or fraction thereof of the area served except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection.
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(2) If the amounts appropriated for grants are
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| different from the amount provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the area and per capita funding shall be proportionately reduced or increased accordingly.
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(3) For library systems, additional funds may be
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| appropriated. The appropriation shall be distributed on the same proportional per capita and per square mile basis as provided in paragraphs (1) and (4) of this subsection.
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(4) Per capita and area funding for a multitype
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| library system as defined in subparagraph (3) of the definition of "library system" in Section 2 and a public library system in cities with a population of 500,000 or more as defined in subparagraph (2) of the definition of "library system" in Section 2 shall be apportioned with 25% of the funding granted to the multitype library system and 75% of the funding granted to the public library system.
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(d) The "area served" for the purposes of making and expending annual Library System grants means the area that lies within the geographic boundaries of the library system as approved by the State Librarian, except that grant funding awarded to a library system may also be expended for the provision of services to members of other library systems if such an expenditure is included in a library system's plan of service and is approved by the State Librarian. In determining the population of the area served by the library system, the Illinois State Library shall use the latest federal census for the political subdivisions in the area served.
(e) In order to be eligible for a grant under this Section, the corporate authorities, instead of a tax levy at a particular rate, may provide an amount equivalent to the amount produced by that levy.
(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 7-1-24.)
(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 104-108)
Sec. 8. State grants.
(a) There shall be a program of State grants within the limitations of funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly together with other funds made available by the federal government or other sources for this purpose. This program of State grants shall be administered by the State Librarian in accordance with rules and regulations as provided in Section 3 of this Act and shall include the following: (i) annual equalization grants; (ii) Library System grants; (iii) per capita grants to public libraries; (iv) planning and construction grants to library systems and public libraries that are members of a library system; and (v) grants to improve or enhance security of libraries.
(b) An annual equalization grant shall be made to all public libraries for which the corporate authorities levy a tax for library purposes at a rate not less than .13% of the value of all the taxable property as equalized and assessed by the Department of Revenue if the amount of tax revenue obtained from a rate of .13% produces less than $17.50 per capita in property tax revenue from property taxes for Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. In that case, the State Librarian is authorized to make an equalization grant equivalent to the difference between the amount obtained from a rate of .13% and an annual income of $17.50 per capita for grants made in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. If moneys appropriated for grants under this Section are not sufficient, then the State Librarian shall reduce the per capita amount of the grants so that the qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita, but in no event shall the grant be less than equivalent to the difference between the amount of the tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $4.25 per capita. If a library receiving an equalization grant reduces its tax levy below the amount levied at the time the original application is approved, it shall be ineligible to receive further equalization grants.
If a library is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code and its tax levy for library purposes has been lowered to a rate of less than .13%, the library will qualify for this grant if the library levied a tax for library purposes that met the requirements for this grant in the previous year and if the tax levied for library purposes in the current year produces tax revenue for the library that is an increase over the previous year's extension of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, and the tax revenue produced by this levy is less than $17.50 per capita in property tax revenue from property taxes for the Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. In this case, the State Librarian is authorized to make an equalization grant equivalent to the difference between the amount of tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $17.50 per capita for grants made in Fiscal Year 2025 and thereafter. If moneys appropriated for grants under this Section are not sufficient, then the State Librarian shall reduce the per capita amount of the grants so that the qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita, but in no event shall the grant be less than equivalent to the difference between the amount of the tax revenue obtained from the current levy and an annual income of $4.25 per capita. If a library receiving an equalization grant reduces its tax levy below the amount levied at the time the original application is approved, it shall be ineligible to receive further equalization grants.
(c) Annual Library System grants shall be made, upon application, to each library system approved by the State Librarian on the following basis:
(1) For library systems, the sum of $1.46 per capita
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| of the population of the area served plus the sum of $50.75 per square mile or fraction thereof of the area served except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection.
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(2) If the amounts appropriated for grants are
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| different from the amount provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the area and per capita funding shall be proportionately reduced or increased accordingly.
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(3) For library systems, additional funds may be
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| appropriated. The appropriation shall be distributed on the same proportional per capita and per square mile basis as provided in paragraphs (1) and (4) of this subsection.
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(4) Per capita and area funding for a multitype
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| library system as defined in subparagraph (3) of the definition of "library system" in Section 2 and a public library system in cities with a population of 500,000 or more as defined in subparagraph (2) of the definition of "library system" in Section 2 shall be apportioned with 25% of the funding granted to the multitype library system and 75% of the funding granted to the public library system.
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(d) The "area served" for the purposes of making and expending annual Library System grants means the area that lies within the geographic boundaries of the library system as approved by the State Librarian, except that grant funding awarded to a library system may also be expended for the provision of services to members of other library systems if such an expenditure is included in a library system's plan of service and is approved by the State Librarian. In determining the population of the area served by the library system, the Illinois State Library shall use the latest federal census for the political subdivisions in the area served.
(e) In order to be eligible for a grant under this Section, the corporate authorities, instead of a tax levy at a particular rate, may provide an amount equivalent to the amount produced by that levy.
(Source: P.A. 103-588, eff. 7-1-24; 104-108, eff. 1-1-26.)
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(75 ILCS 10/8.1) (from Ch. 81, par. 118.1)
Sec. 8.1.
The State Librarian shall make grants annually
under this Section to all qualified public libraries in the
State from funds appropriated by the General Assembly. Such
grants shall be in the amount of up to $1.475 per capita for the
population of the area served by the respective public
library and, in addition, the amount of up to $0.19 per capita to libraries
serving populations over 500,000 under the Illinois Major Urban Library
Program. If the moneys appropriated for grants under this
Section fail to meet the $1.475 and the $0.19 per capita amounts above, the funding shall be decreased pro rata so that qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita. If the moneys appropriated for grants under this Section exceed the $1.475 and the $0.19 per capita amounts above, the funding shall be increased pro rata so that qualifying public libraries receive the same amount per capita.
To be eligible for grants under this Section, a public library must:
(1) Provide, as determined by the State Librarian, |
| library services which either meet or show progress toward meeting the Illinois library standards, as most recently adopted by the Illinois Library Association.
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(2) Be a public library for which is levied a tax for
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| library purposes at a rate not less than .13% or a county library for which is levied a tax for library purposes at a rate not less than .07%. If a library is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law in the Property Tax Code and its tax levy for library purposes has been lowered to a rate of less than .13%, this requirement will be waived if the library qualified for this grant in the previous year and if the tax levied for library purposes in the current year produces tax revenue for library purposes that is an increase over the previous year's extension of 5% or the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. Beginning in State Fiscal Year 2012, the eligibility requirement in this subsection shall be waived if a library's tax levy for library purposes has been lowered to a rate of less than 0.13%, and the State Librarian determines that the library (i) continues to meet the requirements of item (1) of this Section and (ii) received a grant under this Section in the previous fiscal year.
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Any other language in this Section to the contrary
notwithstanding, grants under this Section 8.1 shall be made
only upon application of the public library concerned, which
applications shall be entirely voluntary and within the sole
discretion of the public library concerned.
In order to be eligible for a grant under this Section, the corporate
authorities, in lieu of a tax levy at a particular rate, may provide
funds from other sources, an amount equivalent to the amount to be produced
by that levy.
(Source: P.A. 102-39, eff. 6-25-21.)
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(75 ILCS 10/8.4) (from Ch. 81, par. 118.4)
Sec. 8.4. School library grants. Beginning July 1, 1989, the State
Librarian shall make grants
annually under this Section to all school districts in the State for the
establishment and operation of qualified school libraries, or the additional
support of existing qualified school libraries, from funds appropriated
by the General Assembly. Such grants shall be in the amount of $0.885 per
student as determined by the official enrollment as of the previous
September 30 of the respective school having a qualified school library. If
the
moneys appropriated for grants under this Section are not sufficient,
the State Librarian shall reduce the amount of the grants as necessary; in
making these reductions, the State Librarian shall endeavor to provide each
school district that has a qualifying school library (i)
at least the same amount per student as the district
received under this Section in the preceding fiscal year, and (ii) a total
grant of at least $850, which, in the event of an insufficient appropriation, shall not be reduced to a total grant of less than $100.
To qualify for grants under this Section, a school library must:
(1) Be an entity which serves the basic information |
| and library needs of the school's employees and students through a bibliographically organized collection of library materials, has at least one employee whose primary duty is to serve as a librarian, and has a collection permanently supported financially, accessible centrally, and occupying identifiable quarters in one principal location.
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(2) Meet the requirements for membership in a library
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| system under the provisions of this Act.
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(3) Have applied for membership in the library system
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| of jurisdiction if the system is a multitype library system under this Act.
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(4) Provide, as mutually determined by the Illinois
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| State Librarian and the Illinois State Board of Education, library services which either meet or show progress toward meeting the Illinois school library standards as most recently adopted by the Illinois School Library Media Association.
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(5) Submit a statement certifying that the financial
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| support for the school library or libraries of the applying school district has been maintained undiminished, or if diminished, the percentage of diminution of financial support is no more than the percentage of diminution of the applying school's total financial support for educational and operations purposes since the submission of the last previous application of the school district for the school library per student grant that was funded.
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Grants under this Section shall be made only upon application of the
school district for its qualified school library or school libraries.
(Source: P.A. 102-39, eff. 6-25-21.)
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