BP BHEAD INT H

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

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that libraries have served as repositories of knowledge and public libraries have traditionally helped the general public access that 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, business, educational, and research information is becoming increasingly available to those with the equipment, funding, and expertise 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 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 public 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. This access will allow all citizens to electronically connect from their homes, work, community location, or nearest library by dedicated, dial-up, or network line as a "local" call regardless of their location or the source of information. The medium of the connection may differ, be it an analog voice line, a digital leased line, an internet connection, or an in-home cable connection;

(2) Providing for the public library's role in this access which will be to ensure the network link to the electronic resources by establishing the on and off ramps to the information highway, such as internet or its replacement. The public library therefore must supply the network infrastructure of either a wide area or local area network that can support both local and remote connections and routing capabilities for incoming and outgoing traffic to other networks;

(3) Through library staff, assisting the public with access to these networks and education about how to use these systems;

(4) Through a competitive process, providing grants to public libraries for equipment, software, licenses, telecommunications, and other expenditures to develop the public's access to information that is available through electronic technologies; and

(5) Encouraging public libraries, through such grants, to form partnerships especially with other libraries that can offer access to the general public and coordinate public and private efforts to give the public access to this technology.

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 committee to:

(1) Guide the Washington state library in the development of program priorities and criteria for the screening and selection of grant fund recipients;

(2) Develop strategies for the use of program funds to best benefit library users;

(3) Send an annual 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 committee shall include, but need not be limited to, representatives from: Libraries in rural and urban areas and the Washington state department of information services.

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

The libraries for the 21st century program shall be administered by the Washington state library, in cooperation with the Washington state department of information services and local libraries. In administering the program, the powers and duties of the committee 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;

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

(5) Evaluating program results; and

(6) Ensuring that administrative overhead not exceed ten percent of the entire budget for grants.