https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/Recent content in Chapter 134A — Establishment of County Law Library on MinnesotaLawyer.comHugoen-ushttps://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.01/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.01/This section allows any county to establish a county law library at any location where court sessions are required to be held. The library is created by filing an order from a district court judge with the county court administrator.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.02/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.02/This section requires that county law libraries be open and free to state and district court judges, state officials, judges of district, municipal, county, and conciliation courts, city and county officials, members of the bar, and all county inhabitants. The board of trustees may set appropriate regulations for use.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.03/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.03/This section establishes the governance structure for county law library boards of trustees. The board must have three, five, or seven members who serve without pay. A three-member board includes one person appointed by the chief district judge, one county board member, and one attorney selected by the county attorney. Larger boards add more judges and attorneys. Joint libraries serving multiple counties have expanded boards reflecting each county.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.04/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.04/This section requires the law library board of trustees to hold an organizational meeting immediately after appointment and annual meetings thereafter. At each meeting the board elects a president and a secretary. The secretary serves as staff to the board, attends all meetings, and prepares agenda materials. Trustee terms are set by the bylaws.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.05/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.05/This section gives the board of trustees authority to govern and maintain the library. Powers include amending bylaws, accepting gifts and grants, purchasing or leasing books and library facilities from the county law library fund, and selling or exchanging library property. All records and bylaws must be filed with the court administrator. The county retains legal title to the library and its property.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.06/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.06/This section requires the county auditor to file an annual report with the law library board showing all receipts and disbursements. The board of trustees must also file an annual inventory with the county auditor listing all library property, including items on loan or lease.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.07/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.07/This section requires the county board to provide suitable quarters within the courthouse for the law library, along with light, heat, janitorial service, and other maintenance expenses.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.08/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.08/This section addresses law library staffing. Hennepin and Ramsey counties must appoint a librarian and support staff. All other counties may appoint a librarian with county board compensation approval. In counties where the Minnesota State Law Library cannot provide services, the board may contract with regional library systems.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.09/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.09/This section governs law library fees in Hennepin and Ramsey counties specifically. A fee is collected from each party who files in civil actions, probate proceedings, and criminal cases (including petty misdemeanors) in district, municipal, and conciliation courts. Beginning August 1, 2025, the fee does not apply to certain automated traffic enforcement citations. The fee amount is set by the library board with county board approval and published in the State Register.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.10/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.10/This section establishes the law library fee system for all counties other than Hennepin and Ramsey. The same structure applies — fees are collected from plaintiffs and defendants in civil cases, from probate petitioners, and from criminal defendants upon conviction. The criminal fee cannot apply to offenses committed before the library was established. Beginning August 1, 2025, automated traffic enforcement citations are exempt. Fees are set annually by the board with county board approval.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.11/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.11/This section lists the actions and proceedings that are exempt from law library fees. Exemptions include actions brought by the state, county, or municipalities; garnishment proceedings; transcript filings; compensation award proceedings; support enforcement proceedings; and creditor intervention in receivership cases.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.12/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.12/This section provides that the law library fee is a taxable cost in any court action and is allocated to support the library.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.13/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.13/This section requires law library fees to be paid to the county treasurer or county auditor, who issues a receipt. Funds can only be disbursed by the county treasurer or auditor at the direction of the board of trustees.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.14/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.14/This section required all county law libraries to comply with this chapter by July 1, 1983. It also allows two or more counties to establish a joint law library together.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.15/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.15/This section allows county boards to provide additional funding for county law libraries from county funds at their discretion.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.16/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.16/This section directs the state law librarian to advise and assist county law libraries in their operation and maintenance, acting under the guidance of the supreme court.https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.17/Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000https://minnesotalawyer.com/statutes/chapter-134a/134a.17/This section authorizes specific county law libraries to transfer excess reserve funds to their counties for building purposes. Sherburne County Law Library may transfer up to $200,000 from reserves projected to exceed five years of operational needs for courthouse construction costs. Polk County Law Library may transfer up to $150,000 under the same five-year-reserve condition for Polk County Courthouse technology improvements.