§ 606. Other duties and functions
The Department, in addition to the functions specified in section 605 of this title:
(1) Shall administer any grants-in-aid to libraries that may be available from State funds,
and may prepare plans and applications to obtain federal aid monies that may be available.
(2) Shall provide consultative services to other libraries in the State, and shall encourage
formation of central records of library holdings.
(3) Shall promote improved communications among libraries in the State as well as cooperative
use of facilities.
(4) May provide facilities in cooperation with other libraries for storage of little-used
materials.
[Subdivision (5) effective until January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (5) effective
January 1, 2025 set out below.]
(5) May conduct seminars, workshops, and other programs to increase the professional competence
of librarians in the State.
[Subdivision (5) effective January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (5) effective until
January 1, 2025 set out above.]
(5) Shall provide a continuing education program for a Certificate in Public Librarianship.
The Department shall conduct seminars, workshops, and other programs to increase the
professional competence of librarians in the State.
(6) May receive and administer gifts of real and personal property accepted by the Governor
on behalf of the State under 29 V.S.A. § 101.
(7) May dispose of by sale or exchange, or may discard, material that is obsolete or has
ceased to be useful, because of its physical condition or otherwise. Any proceeds
from the sale or disposition of materials shall be credited to a special fund established
and managed pursuant to 32 V.S.A. chapter 7, subchapter 5, and shall be available to the Department for the purchase of library
materials.
[Subdivision (8) effective until January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (8) effective
January 1, 2025 set out below.]
(8) Shall be the primary access point for State information, and provide advice on State
information technology policy.
[Subdivision (8) effective January 1, 2025; see also subdivision (8) effective until
January 1, 2025 set out above.]
(8) Shall provide advice on State information technology policy.
[Subdivisions (9) through (11) effective January 1, 2025.]
(9) May develop and adopt model policies for free public libraries concerning displays,
meeting room use, patron behavior, internet use, library materials selection, and
other relevant topics, as well as procedures for the reconsideration and retention
of library materials, to ensure compliance with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Vermont laws prohibiting discrimination in places
of public accommodation.
(10) Shall adopt a material selection policy and procedures for reconsideration and retention
that reflect Vermont’s diverse people and history, including diversity of race, ethnicity,
sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, and political
beliefs.
(11) May develop best practices and guidelines for public libraries and library service
levels. (Added 1969, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 31, 1970; amended 1995, No. 148 (Adj. Sess.), §§ 4(a), 11, eff. May 6, 1996; 1997, No. 59, § 15, eff. June 30, 1997; 2009, No. 33, § 44; 2009, No. 91 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 6, 2010; 2023, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. January 1, 2025.)