<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="23-106" title_number="23" title_name="Libraries" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="State Library Agencies">
  <level label="a">
    <text>In addition to any other powers granted and duties imposed by this title, and subject to the authority of the State Library Board, the State Library Agency has the powers and duties set forth in this section.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>The State Library Agency shall:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Provide leadership and guidance for the planning and coordinated development of library and information service in this State;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Develop statewide public and school library services and networks, resource centers, and other arrangements to meet the library and information needs of this State;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Provide professional and technical advice on improving library services in this State to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Public and school library officials;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Higher education and special library officials;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>State government agencies; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Any other person;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Collect library statistics and other data;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Identify library needs and provide for needed research and studies of them; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Coordinate library services with other information and education services and agencies;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Administer federal and State funds appropriated to it by the State for library purposes;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <level label="i">
        <text>Develop and recommend professional standards and policies for libraries; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Establish requirements and procedures for the certification of librarians and library personnel;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Provide:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Specialized library service to the blind and other print disabled individuals in this State; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Other desirable specialized library services;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Encourage, advise, and assist in establishing, operating, and coordinating libraries at State institutions and agencies and administer the operation of library and information services for the State Library Board;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Administer the State grant program for county public library capital projects, in accordance with § 23–509 of this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>Adopt guidelines for the administration of public libraries and recommend to the State Library Board rules and regulations to implement this title;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="11">
      <text>Cooperate with national library agencies and those of any other state;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="12">
      <text>Develop a Deaf Culture Digital Library in accordance with § 23–109 of this subtitle;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="13">
      <text>Ensure that each library as defined in § 23–102.1 of this subtitle that receives State funds is operated in a manner consistent with the State standards for libraries; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="14">
      <text>Perform any other duty necessary for its proper operation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
