Free Public Library Service

V.S.A. tit. 22, ch. 3, subch. 1

in effect

22 V.S.A. § 67 Public libraries; statement of policy; use of facilities and resources

67. Public libraries; statement of policy; use of facilities and resources (a) The General Assembly declares it to be the policy of the State of Vermont that free public libraries are essential to the general enlightenment of citizens in a democracy and that every citizen of the State of Vermont should have access to the educational, cultural, recreational, informational, and research benefits of a free public library. (b) The trustees, managers, or directors of a public library may use library resources as a community center. Community centers may serve as forums and exhibition areas for the exchange of ideas that encourage the growth of artistic, educational, literary, and scientific knowledge as well as the intercultural understanding of the Vermont citizenry. Public libraries may cooperate with community groups to provide these services. (c) To ensure that Vermont libraries protect and promote the principles of free speech, inquiry, discovery, and public accommodation, it is necessary that the trustees, managers, or directors of free public libraries adopt policies that comply with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and State and federal civil rights and antidiscrimination laws. Added 1997, No. 73 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2023, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.

22 V.S.A. § 68 Statutory purposes

68. Statutory purposes The statutory purpose of the exemption for libraries in section 109 of this title is to aid libraries in offering free and public access to information and research resources. Added 2013, No. 200 (Adj. Sess.), § 12.

22 V.S.A. § 69 Public libraries; selection and reconsideration of library materials

69. Public libraries; selection and reconsideration of library materials A public library shall adopt a library material selection policy and procedures for the reconsideration and retention of library materials that complies with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, State laws prohibiting discrimination in places of public accommodation, and that reflect Vermont’s diverse people and history, including diversity of race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, religion, and political beliefs. A public library may adopt as its policy a model policy adopted by the Department of Libraries pursuant to section 606 of this title. Added 2023, No. 150 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. July 1, 2025.

Source: Vermont General Assembly (legislature.vermont.gov)URL: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/chapter/22/003Fetched: 10/21/2026