2025 Session Last amended: 1983 session

§ 134.12 — Benefits of Library

Plain-Language Summary

Library boards may allow non-residents to use the library under rules and conditions the board sets, which may include fees. Boards may also contract with neighboring counties, cities, and towns to loan materials to residents of those communities. Any city or county can contract with a neighboring public library and levy taxes to pay for residents to have library access — even on property outside any existing library service area.

134.12 BENEFITS OF LIBRARY.

Subdivision 1.Nonresidents.

Any library board may admit to the benefits of its library persons not residing within its city or county under regulations and upon conditions as to payment and security prescribed by the library board. §

Subd. 2.Contracts with cities and towns.

The library board may contract with the county board of the county in which the library is situated or the county board of any adjacent county, or with the governing body of any neighboring town or city, to loan library materials to residents of the contracting county, town, or city. §

Subd. 3.Use of public library; tax levy.

Any county board or city governing body may contract with the board of any city or county public library for the use of the library by the residents of the county, town, or city who do not have the use of a public library, upon the terms and conditions as those granted residents of the city or county where the public library is located, and to pay the library board an annual amount therefor. Any county board or city governing body may establish a library fund by levying an annual tax upon all taxable property which is not already taxed for the support of any public library and all taxable property which is situated outside of any city in which is situated a public library.

History:

(5666) RL s 2260; 1905 c 257; 1913 c 509 s 2; 1951 c 217 s 1; 1963 c 144 s 2; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1973 c 583 s 8; 1983 c 314 art 11 s 6

History: History: (5666) RL s 2260; 1905 c 257; 1913 c 509 s 2; 1951 c 217 s 1; 1963 c 144 s 2; 1973 c 123 art 5 s 7; 1973 c 583 s 8; 1983 c 314 art 11 s 6

Practical Notes

If you live outside the area covered by a public library, your county or city may enter a contract to give you access to a nearby library — and levy a small tax to pay for it. Nonresidents may be charged a fee to use a library under rules set by the library board. Regional sharing agreements between neighboring jurisdictions are common and authorized by this section.

Source: Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes