DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 48

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DELAWARE PUBLIC LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 66B, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

CHAPTER 66B. Public Library Technology Act. [Repealed.]

§ 6601B. Short title. [Repealed.]

This chapter shall be known as the “Delaware Public Library Technology Assistance Act.”

§ 6602B. Definitions. [Repealed.]

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Library technology” includes, but is not limited to, technologies that support the storage, retrieval, processing and dissemination of information necessary for the efficient and effective operation of libraries in meeting the information needs of their users. The following items and services are considered to be included within the definition of “library technology:” hardware, software, training, installation, networking, telecommunication, database migration and consultant costs.

(2) “Networked integrated library system” is a computer system that uses a bibliographic database to support multiple library operations and online terminals.

(3) “Non-state share” means a sum of money from sources other than state funds.

(4) “Total cost” means the maximum sum or sums of money which may be spent for library technology projects, provided that nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent any non-state source from increasing said total cost by providing a larger amount from non-state sources than that stated as that non-state share, nor prevent the acceptance and use of any future funds appropriated by the Congress of the United States for these purposes.

§ 6603B. Eligibility for Library Improvement Grants. [Repealed.]

Any networked integrated public library system, approved by the Division of Libraries with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries, may be eligible to receive a library technology Improvement Grant to support library technology costs.

§ 6604B. Standards of eligibility. [Repealed.]

The Division of Libraries, with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries, shall establish and publish technical standards that networked integrated public library systems must meet to be eligible to receive an Improvement Grant. The Division of Libraries may require statistics and reports on the operations of networked integrated public library systems that receive Improvement Grants.

§ 6605B. Review and recommendation of proposals. [Repealed.]

The Division of Libraries shall annually request proposals from eligible automated and networked integrated public library systems for Improvement Grants. The Division of Libraries, with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries, shall establish and publish criteria for reviewing, giving priority to and recommending projects for Improvement Grants. The Division of Libraries, upon receipt of a request for an Improvement Grant under this chapter, shall refer each proposal, determined by the Division of Libraries to be eligible, to the Office of Information Systems and the Delaware Council on Libraries for their comments. The Office of Information Systems and the Delaware Council on Libraries shall provide the Division of Libraries with comments on each proposal within 45 days of receipt of the proposal. The Delaware Division of Libraries, with the approval of the Secretary of State, may award annually the total funds appropriated for Improvement Grants under this chapter, to networked integrated public library systems to fund contracts for technology projects as defined in this chapter. For the purpose of this chapter, the Division of Libraries shall be considered a networked integrated library system that may apply directly to the Secretary of State for improvement grants that have statewide benefits. Such grants may be awarded with the advice of the Delaware Council on Libraries and shall not require a non-state share.

§ 6606B. Expenditure of funds. [Repealed.]

The Department of State shall insure that the state share and non-state share on all projects funded by Improvement Grants under this chapter are expended in conformance with this chapter.

SYNOPSIS

This Act is a result of the Joint Legislative Oversight and Sunset Committee's review of the Council on Libraries. This Act repeals the Delaware Public Library Technology Assistance Act because Delaware Division of Libraries no longer issues technology grants.

Author: Senator Hoffner