Regional public library districts may be established under this section in the areas of the existing Great River Regional Library System and the East Central Regional Library System. The geographic boundaries shall be those established by the commissioner of education under section 134.34, subdivision 3.
A regional public library district may be formed by:
A city that is not participating in a regional public library system may join the district by majority vote of the city council or by referendum under clause (2) and with the approval of the board of the regional public library district.
A regional public library district may be terminated at any time after the district has been in operation for three years. The procedure for termination is the same as that for creation under subdivision 2, clause (2).
The board may levy for operation of public library service. This levy shall replace levies for operation of public library service by cities and counties authorized in section 134.07. The amount levied shall be spread on the net tax capacity of all taxable property in the district at a uniform tax rate.
A regional public library district that meets federal and state requirements for a regional library basic system support grant is eligible to receive a grant. A regional library basic system support grant shall not be made to a regional public library district if the district board reduces its levy for operation of public library service below the amount of the levy in the preceding year.
In addition to the levy authorized in subdivision 5 and all other levies authorized for cities and counties, a city or county served by a library district may levy for the construction, acquisition, maintenance, and utilities costs of library buildings. The board of a district may issue bonds, with an election, according to chapter 475 or levy under this section a special capital levy for capital improvements for a library building. A district may purchase or lease a building to be used for library purposes from a city or county.
The board of a district may borrow money and issue tax anticipation certificates as needed to provide library services or for library buildings.
If a regional public library system is reorganized into a regional public library district there will be a transition period. The transition period shall begin at the time the regional public library system board adopts a resolution that recommends formation of a district to its participants and that sets an effective date for the establishment of the district. During the transition period participating counties and cities must fund public library services under their existing contracts, and planning for administrative changes may occur. The regional public library system board shall continue until the district board members assume their duties, at which time the transition period ends.
Upon assumption of responsibilities by the regional public library district board, the regional public library system assets, liabilities, and existing contracts, including contracts negotiated under chapter 179A, shall become the assets, liabilities, and contracts of the regional public library district board.
Minn. Stat. § 134.201
1993 c 375 art 7 s 3; 1Sp1995 c 3 art 16 s 13; 1998 c 398 art 5 s 55; 2003 c 130 s 12