Section 18-3A-9 - Director; powers and duties.
18-3A-9. Director; powers and duties.
Consistent with the policies agreed to by the board and the state cultural affairs officer, the director:
A. shall be responsible for the administration of the division and for the operation of the museum in accordance with all appropriate statutes and regulations;
B. shall develop exhibits and programs of an educational nature for the benefit of the public and with particular concern for the interests of the schools of the state;
C. shall, as authorized by the board, acquire by donation or other means of acquisition collections and related materials appropriate to a museum of natural history and science and shall direct such field and laboratory research as is appropriate to render the collections of benefit to the scientific community and to the public;
D. shall employ such professional staff and other employees as are necessary to the operation of the museum in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel Act [10-9-1 NMSA 1978];
E. may solicit and receive funds or property of any nature for the development of the museum, its collections and its programs;
F. may enter into contracts with public or private organizations, individuals or agencies for the performance of services related to the location, preservation, development, study or salvage of natural historical sites or materials;
G. shall cooperate with institutions of higher learning and other agencies and political subdivisions of municipal, state and federal governments to establish, maintain and extend the programs of the museum;
H. may, as authorized by the board, lend collections materials to qualified institutions and agencies for purposes of exhibition, and study and borrow collections materials from other institutions and agencies for like purpose;
I. subject to the provisions of Section 18-3A-9.1 NMSA 1978 shall impose and collect admission fees and conduct such retail sales as are normal for the operation of a museum of natural history and science;
J. may publish such journals, books, reports and other materials as are appropriate to the operation of the museum; and
K. shall perform other appropriate duties as may be delegated by the governor or the state cultural affairs officer or his successor or the board or as may be provided by law.