Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 1, Part 1; Title 10, Chapter 3 and Title 10, Chapter 5, Part 1.

This bill makes various changes to the state and regional library systems, as follows:<br /> <br /> (1) Specifies that the regional library system is part of the state library system;<br /> <br /> (2) Authorizes the secretary of state, acting through the state librarian and archivist and the division of public libraries and archives, to accept donations and bequests on behalf of the state library system; and, acting through the division of public libraries and archives, to lease real estate as may be necessary for library purposes. Any lease must be between the state of Tennessee and the lessor and must contain a clause that its continuance is subject to necessary allotments from the secretary of state and the availability of other funds. This authority is in addition to the present law authority the secretary of state has to accept and administer funds or material made available for library, archival and historical purposes from public or private sources either by grant, bequest, donation or otherwise;<br /> <br /> (3) Clarifies the process for appointments and service of members for library boards in situations where a county legislative body, city governing body, or a county having a charter form of government elects to participate in the joint operation of a public library maintained by the county and one or more cities within the county. This bill also specifies, in regard to the present law authorization for the mayor in Knox, Davidson, or Shelby counties, to assume the powers of the library and appoint an advisory board, that the appointment of such advisory board members will mirror the appointment requirements for library board members; and<br /> <br /> (4) Rewrites the present law provisions whereby two or more counties that have qualified for participation in the state's multi-county regional library program and that have been recognized as a region by the secretary of state and have made the required minimum local appropriation of funds may execute contracts with each other to create a regional library board to assist the secretary of state in administering and controlling the regional library services within the region. Present law further provides that a single county that is large enough to constitute a region and has been so recognized by the secretary of state may also create a regional library board by executing a contract between the county and one or more cities within the county. Under present law, there must be at least seven board members apportioned among county and municipalities according to the ratio of population in each participating municipality and in the county outside the municipalities, based on the most recent federal census. This bill deletes these provisions and instead provides that the regional library system is composed of such regional offices as the secretary of state may establish, each office providing support and assistance to the public libraries in the counties assigned to it under the direction of the state librarian and archivist. This bill authorizes the secretary of state to establish criteria for joining and for continuing participation in the regional library system. Local public libraries meeting such criteria may join or leave the regional library system by vote of the county commission or city governing body. <br />