The Central Library of the Enoch Pratt Free Library System is the State Library Resource Center. The State Library Resource Center shall provide and expand access to specialized library materials and services that are necessary for coordinated, efficient, and economical library services in this State.

The boards of library trustees of at least three public library systems outside the standard metropolitan statistical areas defined by the United States Bureau of the Census may request the State Library Board to establish and maintain a regional resource center. Each regional resource center shall provide, through mutual cooperation and coordination, books, information, and other material and service resources that an individual library cannot provide adequately by itself. A region to be served by a regional resource center shall have a population of at least 100,000. Subject to approval by the State Library Board, the boards of library trustees of the participating library systems shall designate the library to serve as the resource center. There is a board of advisors for each regional resource center that shall act as the Regional Advisory Council. The Council consists of: The director of the regional resource center; and The director of each member library system. The Council for each regional resource center shall: Gather information on the resource needs of its region; and Promote the use of the regional resource center. The director of the regional resource center is the executive officer of the regional resource center. The director: Is appointed by the governing board established in accordance with § 23–202.1 of this subtitle; and Shall serve at the pleasure of the governing board. The director shall: Be eligible for certification as a professional library director by the State Superintendent of Schools as set forth in COMAR 14.38.01.01; Have the powers and duties set forth in this title; and Appoint, promote, fix salaries, assign duties, and terminate personnel of the regional resource center. The director shall operate the regional resource center in accordance with: The standards adopted by the State Library Board; and The policies adopted by the governing board. The director shall: Prepare and submit for the approval of the governing board the annual budget of the regional resource center; Adopt and submit for the approval of the governing board reasonable rules and bylaws to carry out this section; and Recommend to the governing board the purchase, condemnation, rental, use, sale, or conveyance of property for any valid purpose under this section. The policies and procedures of the regional resource center shall be: Recommended by the board of trustees of the library designated as the regional resource center; and Approved by the Council. The policies and procedures for operation of the regional resource center shall be consistent with the State standards for libraries. Each regional resource center shall: Make interlibrary loans of books and materials; Supply collections and exhibits of specialized materials; Provide consultant services; Organize in–service training for library staffs; and Develop and operate cooperative services among libraries.

There is a governing board for each regional resource center. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a governing board consists of the following members: A library trustee from each participating library system; and Up to two members of the public from each area served by the participating library systems. The board of trustees of the Washington County Free Library shall act as the governing board for the Western Maryland Regional Resource Center. The bylaws adopted by the board of trustees of the Washington County Free Library shall govern the composition, appointment, qualifications, terms, and structure of the governing board. A member appointed to a governing board must: Be of good character; Have demonstrated ability and interest in library matters; and Be a resident of one of the counties participating in and being served by the regional resource center. Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the members of the governing board shall be appointed by the governing board. The initial members of a governing board shall be appointed by the Regional Advisory Council of the regional resource center. A member of a governing board: May not receive compensation as a member of the governing board; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses in accordance with the rules, policies, and bylaws of the regional resource center. Each member serves for a term of 5 years beginning July 1 immediately following the member’s appointment and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member may not serve for more than two consecutive terms. The governing board shall appoint a qualified individual to fill any vacancy in the member’s position for the remainder of that term until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member appointed to fill a vacancy under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may serve for two additional terms. A governing board shall elect a chair from among its members each year. A governing board may elect any other officers determined necessary by the board. If a governing board elects a treasurer, the treasurer shall be appropriately bonded. A governing board: Shall determine the time and place of its meetings; and May adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings. A governing board shall meet at least once every 3 months. A governing board is subject to the Open Meetings Act. A majority of the appointed members of the governing board is a quorum. A member of a governing board who fails to attend at least 50% of the scheduled meetings of the board during any consecutive 12–month period shall be considered to have resigned. If the member has been unable to attend meetings for reasons satisfactory to the governing board, the governing board may waive the resignation. The chair of a governing board shall report the member’s name and nonattendance to the State Library Board within 45 days after the end of the 12–month period. The governing board shall fill any vacancy in accordance with subsection (f) of this section. In addition to the other powers expressly granted and duties imposed by this subtitle, a governing board has the powers and duties set forth in this subsection. A governing board shall: Select and appoint, with the advice of the State Librarian, a professional librarian to serve as director of the regional resource center; Determine the policies of the regional resource center; Adopt reasonable rules and bylaws for the use of the regional resource center and the conduct of its business; Approve the regional resource center budget; In accordance with the regulations and laws of the State, receive, account for, control, and supervise the spending of all public funds received by the regional resource center; Adopt and follow a written policy for operation of the regional resource center that is consistent with the State standards for libraries; Publish the results of the audit conducted under paragraph (4)(ii) of this subsection; and Submit a report to the State Librarian on or before November 1 each year that includes: The amount of money received from the library fund and other sources; Itemized expenses; The number of books and periodicals in the possession of and owned by the regional resource center; The results of the annual audit; and Any other information required by the State Library Board. A governing board may: Apply, accept, and expend any gift, appropriation, or grant from the State, county, or federal government or any other person on behalf of the regional resource center; Recommend the purchase, condemnation, rental, acquisition, use, or conveyance of property for any valid purpose under this section; Recommend plans for the regional resource centers, including the use of facilities of participating libraries, additions to the facilities of participating libraries, or new facilities separate from the existing facilities of participating libraries; Select the location of and approve plans for the erection of regional resource center buildings, subject to the approval of the State Library Board and the Governor; Make agreements with any person for any library service; and Perform any other actions necessary for the proper control and development of the regional resource center. In addition to other reports that may be required by the State Library Board, the Board shall: Keep records that are consistent with sound business practices and accounting records that use generally accepted accounting principles; Cause an audit by an independent certified public accountant approved by the State Librarian to be made of the accounts and transactions of the regional resource center at the conclusion of each fiscal year; and For any State money, be subject to an audit by the Office of Legislative Audits, in accordance with §§ 2–1220 through 2–1227 of the State Government Article. The governing board may not dismiss, suspend, discipline, demote, reassign, transfer, or otherwise retaliate against an employee for acting in a manner consistent with the regional resource center’s written policy implementing the State standards for libraries.

The board of library trustees of any public library system that is not participating in a regional resource center may participate in a metropolitan cooperative service program. Each metropolitan cooperative service program shall conform to standards adopted by the State Library Board. Each metropolitan cooperative service program shall make an annual report of its operations to the State Library Board.

The State Library Board periodically shall evaluate the effectiveness of the services performed by each regional resource center and metropolitan cooperative service program and may request any reports and information necessary for this purpose.

Subject to subsection (g) of this section, each year, the State Library Board may include in its budget operating funds for: The State Library Resource Center; Each regional resource center; The Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled; The Deaf Culture Digital Library; and Each metropolitan cooperative service program. Subject to subsection (g) of this section, the State shall pay all capital expenses for: The State Library Resource Center; and Each regional resource center. Before any money is spent under this subsection, the appropriate board of library trustees shall: Have the project approved by the State Library Board; Through the State Library Board, submit the request to the Department of Budget and Management for consideration under Title 3, Subtitle 6 of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and Agree to reimburse the State Library Board an amount the State Library Board determines if the facility ceases to be used for a resource center or cooperative service program. Subject to subsection (g) of this section, each year each participating regional resource center shall receive a minimum amount of funding for each resident of the area served, to be used for operating and capital expenses. The allocation shall be calculated as follows: For fiscal year 2022....................................$8.75 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2023................................... $9.19 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2024....................................... $9.39 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2025....................................... $9.59 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2026........................................$9.79 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2027……………………………. $9.99 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2028...................................... $10.19 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2029...................................... $10.40 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2030...................................... $10.60 per each resident of the area served; For fiscal year 2031...................................... $10.81 per each resident of the area served; and For fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year thereafter…………………………………………………………….............. $11.02 per each resident of the area served. Subject to subsection (g) of this section, each year the State Library Resource Center shall receive a minimum amount of funding for each State resident in the previous fiscal year, to be used for operating and capital expenses. The allocation shall be calculated as follows: For fiscal year 2024 …………..................$1.97 per State resident; For fiscal years 2025 through 2027…….$2.07 per State resident; For fiscal year 2028……………......$2.17 per State resident; For fiscal year 2029    $2.28 per State resident; For fiscal year 2030    $2.39 per State resident; For fiscal year 2031………..………$2.51 per State resident; and For fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year thereafter….$2.64 per State resident. Subject to subsection (g) of this section, beginning in fiscal year 2016 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled shall receive an amount equivalent to at least 25% of the amount received by the State Library Resource Center for the same fiscal year under subsection (d) of this section. The State Library Board shall: Disburse funds to the State and regional resource centers, the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, and metropolitan cooperative service programs; and Require that these funds be used subject to any conditions specified by the appropriating agency or imposed under this subtitle. The State Library Board may authorize the State Comptroller to withhold funds from any regional resource center or metropolitan cooperative service program that fails to meet the standards adopted by the State Library Board. Receipt of funding under this section is contingent on a library, resource center, or metropolitan cooperative service program adopting a written policy for operation of the library, center, or program that is consistent with the State standards for libraries. The Comptroller shall withhold all State funds from any regional resource center or metropolitan cooperative service program that the State Library Board certifies has failed to meet the State standards for libraries. The Comptroller shall continue to withhold funds under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph until the State Library Board certifies that the regional resource center or metropolitan cooperative service program has adopted a written policy consistent with the State standards for libraries.

Any two or more boards of library trustees acting as incorporators under this section and the nonstock corporation laws may organize a cooperative library corporation to administer joint library projects in their counties. The membership of the corporation consists of the members of each board of library trustees that signs the articles of incorporation. If each of the member boards agree, another county may become a member of the corporation. The member boards may delegate any of their intracounty powers and duties to the corporation to the extent necessary to enable it to carry out and administer joint library projects. Professional and clerical employees of a cooperative library corporation shall join the Teachers’ Retirement System. Each cooperative library corporation: Is entitled to use the library fund; Shall have the annual audit required for a library; Shall make the annual report required of a board of library trustees; and Is exempt from taxation under § 7-202 of the Tax - Property Article.