SECTIONS 18700-18703 - California Statutes

EDUCATION CODE

SECTION 18700-18703

18700. This chapter shall be known as the California Library
Services Act.

18701. The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the
interest of the people of the state to insure that all people have
free and convenient access to all library resources and services that
might enrich their lives, regardless of where they live or of the
tax base of their local government.
This finding is based on the recognition that:
(a) The public library is a primary source of information,
recreation, and education to persons of all ages, any location, or
any economic circumstance.
(b) The expansion of knowledge and the increasing complexity of
our society create needs for materials and information that go beyond
the ability of any one library to provide.
(c) The public libraries of California are supported primarily by
local taxes. The ability of local governments to provide adequate
service is dependent on the taxable wealth of each local jurisdiction
and varies widely throughout the state.
(d) Public libraries are unable to bear the greater costs of
meeting the exceptional needs of many residents, including people
with disabilities, non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking
persons, those who are confined to home or in an institution, and
those who are economically disadvantaged.
(e) The effective sharing of resources and services among the
libraries of California requires an ongoing commitment by the state
to compensate libraries for services beyond their clientele.
(f) The sharing of services and resources is most efficient when a
common database is available to provide information on where
materials can be found.

18702. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide all residents
with the opportunity to obtain from their public libraries needed
materials and informational services by facilitating access to the
resources of all libraries in this state.
This policy shall be accomplished by assisting public libraries to
improve service to the underserved of all ages, and by enabling
public libraries to provide their users with the services and
resources of all libraries in this state.

18703. In adopting this chapter, the Legislature declares that its
policy shall be:
(a) To reaffirm the principle of local control of the government
and administration of public libraries, and to affirm that the
provisions of this chapter apply only to libraries authorized by
their jurisdictions to apply to participate in the programs
authorized by this act.
(b) To require no library, as a condition for receiving funds or
services under this chapter, to acquire or exclude any specific book,
periodical, film, recording, picture, or other material, or any
specific equipment, or to acquire or exclude any classification of
books or other material by author, subject matter, or type.
(c) To encourage adequate financing of libraries from local
sources, with state aid to be furnished to supplement, not supplant,
local funds.
(d) To encourage service to the underserved of all ages.
(e) To encourage and enable the sharing of resources between
libraries.
(f) To reimburse equitably any participating library for services
it provides beyond its jurisdiction if a public library, or, if not a
public library, beyond its normal clientele.
(g) To ensure public participation in carrying out the intent of
this act.