BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to libraries; adding new sections to chapter 27.04 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that, through the centuries, libraries have served as some of the best repositories of human knowledge. The legislature also finds that new and emerging technologies are expanding the ways that knowledge can be stored and disseminated. Through computer-based networks, interactive and multimedia programs, and other forms of electronic technologies, educational and research information is becoming increasingly available to those with the equipment, funding, and knowledge to access that information. The legislature finds that access to educational and research information from these technological applications will improve the quality of life for most of the people of the state of Washington. The legislature further finds that public libraries play a critical role in lifelong learning, and are the most effective agencies for ensuring that all Washington residents have access to information available through electronic technologies. Therefore, the legislature intends to expand access to information for Washington residents through the creation of a new program designed to expand the capability of Washington's libraries to access and disseminate information available through electronic technologies. The legislature further intends to phase support for the program over several biennia.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 27.04 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington libraries for the 21st century program is established. The purposes of the program shall include, but need not be limited to:

(1) Creating access for all Washington residents to information available through electronic technologies;

(2) Through a competitive process, providing matching grants to local public libraries or libraries at institutions of higher education for equipment, software, licenses, telecommunications, and other expenditures designed to permit access to information available through electronic technologies;

(3) Providing funding to partially match money raised through other public and private sources for accessing information through electronic technologies; and

(4) Encouraging libraries to form partnerships for providing information services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 27.04 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington state library commission shall establish the libraries for the 21st century advisory committee to:

(1) Assist the agency in the development of program priorities and criteria for the screening and selection of grant fund recipients;

(2) Plan and recommend strategies for use of program funds, to best benefit library users; and

(3) Send an annual recommended budget to the commission for expenditure of funds from this program including program administration; and

(4) Monitor program results and send an annual report to appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the house of representatives and the senate.

The membership of the advisory committee shall include, but need not be limited to representatives from: Libraries in rural and urban areas, libraries at institutions of higher education, businesses using or marketing information through electronic technologies, and the department of information services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 27.04 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington libraries for the 21st century program shall be administered by the state library, in cooperation with the department of information services, local libraries, and libraries of institutions of higher education. In administering the program, the powers and duties of the agency shall include, but need not be limited to:

(1) Adopting necessary rules and guidelines;

(2) Publicizing the program;

(3) Selecting libraries to receive grants, with the assistance of a screening committee comprised of persons knowledgeable about libraries and electronic technologies. The state library may receive funding from this program, as recommended by the libraries for the 21st century advisory committee and the Washington state library commission, to provide services and to administer the program;

(4) Disbursing and monitoring the expenditure of grant funds; and

(5) Evaluating program results.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of six million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the state library for the purposes of this act, subject to any across-the-board cuts in state funds that may occur.