§ 605. Duties and functions of the Department of Libraries
The duties and functions of the Department of Libraries shall be to provide, administer,
and maintain:
A law library to serve the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, other members of the
Judiciary, the legal profession, members of the General Assembly, officials of State
government, and the general public.
(2) A collection of federal documents.
(3) An information and reference service to State government, including a comprehensive
collection of current information relating to matters of public policy and topics
pertinent to State government.
(4) A general library collection of a sufficient size and scope to reinforce and supplement
the resources of local and regional libraries. All materials of the Department of
Libraries shall be available for free circulation to all citizens, institutions, and
organizations under procedures adopted by the State Librarian except that the State
Librarian may restrict rare or reference-type materials to one location. The Department
shall arrange, classify, and catalog all materials in its custody and provide for
their safekeeping and shall rebind books as needed. The Department shall provide service
to other libraries in the State, schools, and individuals and may provide service
by mail or book wagon or otherwise.
(5) A service of advice and consultation to all libraries in the State, in order to assist
them in realizing their potential. This service shall be provided at a regional level
as well as at the State level. The Department may provide centralized cataloging
and other related technical services to libraries in the State to the extent feasible.
(6) All libraries in State correctional institutions and all State institutions for the
treatment of persons with a mental condition or psychiatric disability and persons
with an intellectual disability.
(7) Reading materials for persons who are blind and persons with a physical disability. (Added 1969, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 31, 1970; amended 1971, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 140; 2021, No. 53, § 5; 2023, No. 85 (Adj. Sess.), § 246, eff. July 1, 2024.)