§ 605 - Duties and functions of the department of libraries
§ 605. Duties and functions of the department of libraries
The duties and functions of the department of libraries shall be to provide, administer and maintain:
(1) A law library to serve the supreme court, the attorney general, other members of the judiciary, the legal profession, members of the legislature, officials of state government and the general public.
(2) A collection of state documents and of documents relating to other states, and local and federal governments. It shall arrange for and designate depositories of state documents which designation is to include Bailey library at the university of Vermont. The department may acquire reports and documents published by federal agencies and by other states and countries, and may arrange for the exchange of official reports and publications with federal agencies, and with governmental agencies in other states and countries.
(3) An information and reference service to state government, including a comprehensive collection of current information relating to matters of public policy and topics pertinent to state government.
(4) A general library collection of a sufficient size and scope to reinforce and supplement the resources of local and regional libraries. All materials of the department of libraries shall be available for free circulation to all citizens, institutions and organizations under regulations of the state librarian except that the state librarian may restrict rare or reference-type materials to one location. The department shall arrange, classify and catalog all materials in its custody and provide for their safekeeping, and shall rebind books as needed. The department shall provide service to other libraries in the state, schools and individuals, and may provide service by mail or book wagon or otherwise.
(5) A service of advice and consultation to all libraries in the state, in order to assist them in realizing their potential. This service shall be provided at a regional level as well as at the state level. The department may provide centralized cataloging and other related technical services to libraries in the state to the extent feasible.
(6) All libraries in state correctional institutions and all state institutions for the treatment of the mentally ill and mentally handicapped.
(7) Reading materials for the blind and physically handicapped. (Added 1969, No. 226 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. March 31, 1970; amended 1971, No. 162 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)