§ 13-2-903 - Creation of a regional library system. - Arkansas Statutes

13-2-903. Creation of a regional library system.

(a) Any two (2) or more municipalities, any two (2) or more counties, or any one (1) or more municipalities together with any one (1) or more counties are authorized to create and become members of a regional library system as prescribed in this subchapter.

(b) Upon the recommendation by the city library board of trustees or the county library board, the governing body of each municipality and county desiring to create and become a member of a system may by ordinance determine that it is in the best interest of the municipality or county in accomplishing the purposes of this subchapter to create and become a member of a system to better coordinate the services of libraries of different cities and counties as is permitted under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 30, 4, and Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 38, 4, or as is otherwise permitted under interlocal cooperation agreements.

(c) The ordinance shall:

(1) Specify the desire that a system be created as a public body and a body corporate and politic under this subchapter;

(2) Set forth the names of the municipalities or counties, or both, which are proposed to be initial members of the system;

(3) Set forth the name which is proposed for the system;

(4) Specify the powers to be granted to the system and its board of trustees and any limitations on the excercise of the powers granted, including limitations on the system's area of operations and the use of system funds and facilities;

(5) Specify the number of trustees on the board, the length of terms, and the voting rights of each trustee;

(6) Establish the proportion of financial assistance and support to be apportioned among the participating jurisdictions in the system; and

(7) Set forth the terms and conditions for the withdrawal from the system and the division of any system funds or property.

(d) (1) The ordinance shall be signed by the mayor of each municipality and the county judge of each county, attested by the respective clerks, and sent to the Secretary of State and to the Arkansas State Library. The Secretary of State shall receive and file it and shall record it in an appropriate book of record in his or her office.

(2) When the ordinance has been made, filed, and recorded as provided in this subchapter, the system shall constitute a public body and a body corporate and politic under the name proposed in the ordinance.

(e) (1) Any ordinance filed with the Secretary of State pursuant to the provisions of this section may be amended from time to time, and any other municipality or county may become a new member in the system with the consent of the members of the system evidenced by ordinances of their governing bodies.

(2) The amendment shall be signed and filed with the Secretary of State and the Arkansas State Library in the manner provided in this section.